Does Using Detox Tea for Weight Loss Work? 

Is it good to use detox tea for weight loss? Would it work for you, or does it sound like another fad idea? Carrying extra pounds certainly makes one question every method for weight loss, and that’s okay. Still, asking questions about the methods is the right thing to do.

Let’s momentarily forget about detox tea reviews to focus on the facts about what it does. Weight loss is complicated and requires a healthy lifestyle commitment. Sadly, no miracle cure can shed pounds overnight. Instead, let’s see detox tea’s pros, cons, and facts.

What Does Detox Tea Do?

Detox tea for weight loss may provide some benefits in conjunction with healthier lifestyle changes and habits. For example, certain detox tea ingredients may benefit you in various ways, such as:

• Burdock may reduce fluid retention (12)
• Cinnamon may help manage blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes (3)
• Dandelion may support your liver and act as a diuretic (4)
• Fennel tea may hydrate you (9)
• Ginger may improve digestive motility (10)
• Hibiscus may reduce inflammation (1)
• Honeybush contains antioxidants and may improve skin elasticity (13, 5)
• Licorice may soothe digestive irritation (21)
• Mint may relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (20)
• Rooibos is rich in antioxidants (7)
• Schisandra is used in traditional medicine to protect the liver (22)
• Turmeric may reduce inflammation (27)

Let’s understand what detox tea might do for your body before jumping the weight loss gun. 

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How Detox Tea Works

The primary goal for detox tea isn’t weight loss and doesn’t offer a miracle cure to burn fat overnight. It also doesn’t magically detox you – your body eliminates toxins naturally on its own. However, let’s see which benefits may convince you to occasionally enjoy detox teas with natural ingredients which may have certain other benefits. 

Detox Tea Benefits

Multiple detox teas exist, and they all have different ingredients. Commercial detox teas and other supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so choose a brand that you trust and look for ones that are third-party tested. 

Burdock

Burdock root is a natural diuretic that may help your body expel excess water when taken in safe amounts (12). Burdock’s inulin content may also help reduce inflammation and improve digestion, certain skin conditions, and gut health. 

However, diuretics can lead to dehydration, so discuss dosing with your healthcare provider, and avoid natural diuretics like burdock root if you are on water pills or diuretic drugs.   

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a highly fragrant ingredient which is often included in detox tea. Medical News Today reports that cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes (3). 

Dandelion Root

The Cleveland Clinic suggests dandelion root may promote support for the liver to help your body remove toxins naturally (4). The root has diuretic effects that may help your body flush out waste and toxins through your urine. Again, talk to your healthcare provider, especially if you are already on diuretics or water pills. 

Fennel

Medical News Today suggests Fennel may help keep you hydrated as a tasty alternative to caffeine-containing beverages (9). 

Ginger

Ginger adds a dash of flavor to any detox tea. Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins Medicine states that ginger may relieve digestive discomfort by encouraging stomach emptying and preventing gas and bloating (10). Gingerol is a natural component of ginger and may help digestive motility.

Hibiscus

The Cleveland Clinic suggests hibiscus is rich in antioxidants and may support liver health, reduce inflammation, and promote weight loss as part of a healthy lifestyle (1). 

Honeybush

Honeybush in detox tea is rich in polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects and may fight certain chronic diseases (13). It might also have beneficial effects on the skin when applied topically. 

Read more: Armpit Detox: Why People Do it, Whether it Works & How to Do It

Licorice

A small study by the Australian Traditional Medicine Society found that two herbal formulas, one of which contained deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) among other ingredients, may soothe digestive irritation (21). Also, Chinese scientists say certain compounds in licorice may protect the liver and have anti-inflammatory activity (26). 

Mint

WebMD describes a refreshing mint taste in detox tea to possibly enjoy more benefits (20). Peppermint and spearmint leaves work well in detox teas. Either herb may ease a distressed stomach, relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and open your nasal passages if sick. 

Rooibos

Rooibos adds a lovely flavor to a detox journey and contains antioxidants. Italian research found that both unfermented (green) and fermented rooibos are a source of dietary antioxidants in humans (28). 

Schisandra

WebMD says Schisandra is a berry that is used in traditional medicine to attempt to protect the liver from poisons or to treat liver disease (22). Other traditional uses include to increase energy levels and physical performance.  

Turmeric

Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests turmeric contains a natural polyphenol called curcumin that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (27). Research has suggested possible benefits for inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, muscle soreness after exercise, kidney health, and more.   

Potential Setbacks of Detox Tea Ingredients

Detox tea homemade recipes give you some control over what you drink. However, commercial detox teas may include harmful ingredients. Let’s show you some commercial detox tea ingredients that may do more harm than good. 

Disrupted Sleep

Caffeine is acceptable in recommended doses. The Mayo Clinic suggests you can drink up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily as a healthy adult (2). Drinking too much caffeine daily could disrupt healthy sleep patterns, which are necessary for weight loss (16). 

Digestive Issues

Senna is an herbal ingredient only safe to use briefly. The NHS suggests the laxative called Senna may cause digestive discomfort, bloating, cramps, and diarrhea (23). Using laxatives long-term is serious and may lead to laxative dependency to have bowel movements.

Electrolyte Imbalance

The NHS also suggests Senna may cause an electrolyte imbalance by causing losses of water, magnesium, sodium, and/or potassium in prolonged use (23). A severe imbalance may lead to muscle spasms and seizures. You may also suffer from fatigue, altered mental status, lethargy, and heart arrhythmias (8). 

Drug Interactions

Detox tea ingredients may negatively interact with some medications. For example, caffeine may interact with Ephedrine, Theophylline, and Echinacea, causing adverse effects (2). Senna could change how your body absorbs the hormones in oral contraceptives because you pass the medication faster than intended (23).

Grapefruit is another popular detox tea ingredient but could pose risks for negative drug interactions. The FDA suggests grapefruit may increase or decrease the amount of medication in your blood, including those for cholesterol, hypertension, anxiety, organ transplant rejection drugs, antihistamines, heart medicine, and corticosteroids (11). 

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Detox Tea for Weight Loss: A Myth or Is it Possible?

Detox tea for weight loss isn’t viable or realistic. Instead, the herbal tea ingredients listed above might aid your efforts if you eat right, create a caloric deficit, and become active. Weight loss requires the following three things, whether drinking detox tea or not (19):

1. Eat fewer calories than you burn daily, creating a 500-750 calorie deficit daily
2. Do at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity daily, such as walking or jogging
3. Add two strength-training sessions to your workouts weekly to shed pounds

Detox teas might have some ingredients that are thought to support weight loss or metabolic health, but your nutritional intake and activity level are much more important. Create a balanced diet with the following food groups daily while moderately reducing your calorie intake  (29):

• Complex carbs: Whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice, starchy vegetables, beans and legumes
• Fruit: Blueberries, peaches, mangos, apples, iwis, and more
• Healthy fats: olive oil, other vegetable oils, fish, avocados, nuts and seeds
• Protein: Lean poultry and other meats, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, eggs, low-fat dairy
• Vegetables: Salad greens, broccoli, tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini, and others

Does Detox Tea Reduce Belly Fat?

Detox tea ingredients often act as natural diuretics or laxatives, expelling fluid retention to give you a flat tummy appearance, but it does nothing to your actual fat stores. The National Eating Disorders Association warns against using diuretics long-term because of the adverse effects you may experience (17). 

Prolonged use of diuretics or laxatives may cause an electrolyte imbalance, laxative dependency, serious dehydration, and organ failure. Instead, use effective methods to shed pounds, such as a healthy balanced diet and regular physical activity..  

Read more: Why Do You Need Dopamine Detox?

Best Detox Tea at Home

Detox tea doesn’t actually detox your body, and probably doesn’t do anything for weight loss either. However, herbal teas can be incorporated into a healthy balanced diet for weight loss, especially as an alternative to sugary beverages. 

Also, making a detox tea homemade blend would be ideal with some ingredients that you control. The Times of India inspires this detox tea with green tea and ginger (15). You can always leave out the honey or reduce it to reduce the calorie and sugar content if you prefer. 

The recipe makes four servings, and you can enjoy one serving each morning until done. 

Ingredients:

• 1 ½” freshly crushed ginger root
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp. carom seeds
• 1 tbsp. green tea leaves
• 5 lemon slices
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 6 cups of water

Directions: 

1. Bring the water to a boil with your freshly crushed ginger over medium heat,
2. Add the fennel seeds, carom seeds, lemon slices, and honey to the pot,
3. Let the pot boil covered for another minute,
4. Drop your green tea leaves into the water and reduce the heat,
5. Let the tea steep for three minutes.

Should You Drink Detox Tea on An Empty Stomach?

Depending on the ingredients, you may not want to drink detox tea on an empty stomach because some ingredients could cause digestive discomfort. It’s easier to experience the full force of an ingredient if your stomach is empty. Enjoy well-balanced meals between detox teas.

For more weight loss teas:

• Green tea intermittent fasting
• Parsley tea
• Weight loss tea

FAQs

• Does Flat Tummy Tea Really Work?

Flat Tummy Tea appears to work at first because the ingredients include natural or man-made diuretics or laxatives (24). The tea encourages your body to expel fluid retention and any backed-up solid waste, creating a flatter, sleeker stomach. 

However, it’s temporary and doesn’t have sustainable results. You are only expelling water, not fat, and you could become dangerously dehydrated in the process.

• What Is the Best Tea for a Flat Tummy?

A Chinese study found that individuals with extra abdominal fat who drank catechin-enriched green tea for 12 weeks lost some of the stubborn visceral fat inside their bellies (6). Green tea might be a useful beverage for weight loss, but it won’t work on its own. It has to be included in a healthy balanced diet that, along with physical activity, creates a calorie deficit. 

• How Long Does Flat Tummy Tea Take to Work?

It appears to work fast when you lose fluid (24). However, the actual weight loss you experience should follow the recommended guidelines. The CDC suggests losing 1-2 pounds weekly if you hope to maintain your flat tummy after a weight loss journey (18).

• Is Detox Tea Better at Night or in the Morning?

It’s better to consume detox tea during the day if it contains caffeine. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that a lack of sleep could prevent your metabolism from functioning properly (16). Poor sleep may contribute to weight problems. 

The Bottom Line

A detox tea for weight loss only supports lifestyle changes and a well-balanced diet if you want to shed pounds. Remember to avoid the harmful ingredients in commercial detox teas. Alternatively, make a detox tea at home to support your weight loss journey.