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.
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:
Let’s understand what detox tea might do for your body before jumping the weight loss gun.
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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.
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 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 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).
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.
Medical News Today suggests Fennel may help keep you hydrated as a tasty alternative to caffeine-containing beverages (9).
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.
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 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.
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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).
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 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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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 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):
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):
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..
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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