Weight loss doesn’t come easily. It takes blood, sweat, tears, and an iron will to achieve it. Some people spend thousands of dollars a year on weight loss supplements, powders, and other products promising results. But don’t fall for those gimmicks. Indeed, these weight loss teas can help support your efforts and help keep you on track.
In fact, studies show that diet promotes weight loss much more than exercise because cutting calories takes less time and is more sustainable than working out. Why? Well, to put things in perspective, it takes a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound per week. According to Holly Lofton, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine and director of the weight management program at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, you would have to run seven to ten miles per day to lose a pound a week. To achieve that same weight loss through diet, on the other hand, you could cut out sodas, ice cream, or other high-calorie foods or drinks.
Plus, working out vigorously every day will increase most people’s appetites, which will hinder weight loss and can even lead to weight gain. This isn’t to say that exercise isn’t important because moving your body helps prevent disease and keep your bones and muscles working properly. However, in terms of weight loss, research proves time and time again that most people will see positive results through fine-tuning their diet.
In addition to eating healthier foods and cutting out the bad ones, drinking tea can also help you achieve weight loss. Studies explain that specific teas are full of antioxidants that support good health, in general. And that’s a must when you are trying to slim down. Below, we’ll go over which tea for weight loss you should be drinking that will help you even more than exercise.
Here are ten weight loss teas that help support your overall wellness.
1. Green tea
Green tea is one of the most popular types of tea in the world. It might support your efforts at losing weight loss because it’s high in catechins, natural antioxidants that may increase your metabolism, and fat-burning hormones. Green tea also contains caffeine and EGCG, which can boost your metabolism even more.
How to Make Green Tea
Whether you use tea leaves or bags, the process is mostly the same. You need water and, depending on how much tea you want to prepare, a teacup or teapot. If you prefer sweetened tea, make sure you have natural sweeteners ready such as sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
Using a strainer or tea infuser to remove floating leaves from your cup is helpful, too. If you don’t have one, you can always use a fork to scoop them out instead.
The first thing to note is that steeping green tea in boiling water causes it to be bitter. You want to turn the kettle or pot off before it begins to boil or allow the water to cool for a minute or so. Once the water is ready, pour it over your tea leaves and let it steep for around three to five minutes.
When the tea is as strong as you like it, strain the tea to remove leaves. Consider adding sweeteners and other natural flavorings, including fruit, spices, or herbs, to enhance the flavor of your weight loss tea.
2. Puerh tea
This type of tea may not have the popularity of green tea, but it certainly deserves the spotlight. Named after the town of Pu-erh in the Yunnan province, it belongs to the black tea family.
Some studies done on both humans and animals showed that Puerh tea suppresses fatty acid synthesis, which results in the process of lipogenesis, transforming fat into energy. Not only does it promote weight loss, but it also can lower blood sugar and triglyceride levels in the blood.
How to Make Puerh Tea
When steeping tea leaves for Puerh tea, make sure to do so for about three or four minutes. This amount of time offers the best flavor and the most benefits. You can steep these leaves multiple times, but each cup will have a slightly different taste.
To make Puerh tea, fill a pan with water bring it to a boil. Pour 8-10 ounces of the boiling water over the top of approximately one teaspoon of leaves. Let it steep for five minutes before straining the leaves from the liquid.
3. Black tea
Black tea, another popular tea packed with nutrients, can also help you lose weight. A study by the European Journal of Nutrition explained how polyphenols in both decaf green and black tea inhibited weight gain in mice. This result, they believe, stems from the polyphenols supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
Besides that, if you replace sugary drinks with readily available black tea, you can shave off hundreds of calories per day with zero effort.
How to Make Black Tea
Making black tea requires accurate timing for the best flavor. You will fill a pan with water and add sugar, cooking the sugar over medium heat until the water begins to boil. Then, add the tea leaves or bag and continue stirring the water for two minutes while keeping the flame on medium heat.
After the two minutes is up, turn the flame down to low and put a lid on the pot. Allow the water and tea leaves to simmer for another two or three minutes before straining the tea.
4. Oolong tea
A traditional Chinese tea, oolong tea, has been described as having a fruity smell and unique flavor. Researchers cannot fully explain why, but they agree that oolong is an effective weight loss tea.
Besides that, they note that it helps lower triglycerides and body fat. So brew yourself a cup of this flavorful drink and enjoy!
How to Make Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is easy to make using a teapot or a regular pot on the stove. Traditionally, a Yixing teapot or gaiwan are used, but the other options are easy for beginners. Paying close attention to the water temperature and steeping time is key to making the perfect cup of weight loss tea.
For the best flavor, use loose tea leaves rather than a teabag. Use about two tablespoons of loose tea leaves or one teaspoon of balled leaves and six to eight ounces of water. Heat the water but don’t let it boil, then rinse the leaves in a little hot water before pouring the remaining water overtop of them.
Steep the tea for one to five minutes, depending on how much flavor you want. The longer you steep it for, the more full-bodied and rich the tea will turn out. If you prefer cold tea, use these same steps but allow the tea to cool before drinking it.
5. White tea
The benefits of white tea include aiding in weight loss, killing cancer cells, and preventing the formation of new fat cells. Since fat cells can’t accumulate, weight loss can be more effectively achieved. Also, white tea stimulates the fat-burning process in the body, which helps further weight loss efforts.
How to Make White Tea
To make white tea, you will need six to eight ounces of water and up to two tablespoons of white tea leaves. Heat the water to a boil and then give it a couple of minutes to rest. Pour the water over the top of two teaspoons of tea buds or two tablespoons of tea leaves.
Place a lid or small saucer over the top of your cup and let the tea steep for anywhere between one and five minutes. Remember, the longer you steep it for, the more full-bodied it will become. Before you drink it, make sure you strain the leaves from your weight loss tea.
6. Rooibos tea
Rooibos tea, an herbal tea made from the South African bushy plant called Aspalathus linearis, researchers state can aid in weight loss. It is rich in antioxidants like aspalathin and nothofagin, which help reduce free radicals in the body, neutralize blood sugar, and balance insulin levels. In turn, this may help to curb cravings and reduce appetite due to insulin levels remaining stable.
How to Make Rooibos Tea
You can make rooibos tea using tea bags or loose leaves, using one teaspoon of leaves for every eight ounces of water. While you heat the water, add the tea leaves to your mug.
Once the water boils, pour it into the cup and steep for around five minutes. If you want to add any sweeteners, do that while your tea steeps and before you strain the loose leaves.
For a more robust rooibos tea, double the amount of tea leaves. Steeping it for an extended time will only make the tea bitter rather than more flavorful.
If you like iced rooibos tea, put four tablespoons of tea leaves in a pitcher or jar. Pour one liter of cold water in and cover the container with a lid. Put the container in a cool area and let the tea steep for eight hours before straining the leaves and storing the tea in the refrigerator.
7. Matcha tea
Matcha tea comes from the same plant as green tea, but it is processed differently. It comes in a powdered form and contains just three calories for one gram. This powerful drink can help curb your appetite and reduce cravings while also helping you to lose weight. Research suggests that matcha tea may have a much higher concentration of the phytochemicals found in traditional green tea, which help increase metabolism and induce weight loss. This tea can also boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.
How to Make Matcha Tea
Making matcha tea requires that you add ice, which dilutes the tea. Since it’s diluted, make sure that you double the amount of matcha powder you’ll use. So, for a single serving, you will need two teaspoons of powder.
Once you know how much tea you will need, boil water and allow it to cool for about five to seven minutes. Pour the water into the matcha powder and whisk it until it’s frothy.
When it’s ready to drink, pour it over ice and consider adding a little extra flavor. Some of the things you can add to your tea include:
- honey
- sugar
- milk
- lemon juice
- creamer
- vanilla extract
- half and half
8. Lemon balm tea
Lemon balm tea is a very calming, soothing tea that can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. In addition to reducing stress and aiding in sleep, lemon balm tea can also improve digestion. And if you have improved gut health, you’ll find it much easier to listen to your hunger cues and your own body. This will help you achieve weight loss as well as have better digestive health.
How to Make Lemon Balm Tea
You can use fresh or dried lemon balm to make tea. Use two teaspoons of fresh leaves and one teaspoon for dried lemon balm. Put the leaves in a mug and pour boiling water on top of them.
With lemon balm tea, the longer you steep it, the stronger the flavor is. Anywhere from five to 10 minutes is a safe option, but you can taste it as it steeps to know for sure. You can add other flavors to the tea, too, including:
- mint
- honey
- sugar
- lemon juice
- cinnamon
If you prefer cold tea, double the number of tea leaves and steep it over ice in a large jar. Leave the jar in the sun all day, and then serve the weight loss tea over ice.
9. Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon can help to regulate blood sugar levels, which will result in fewer insulin spikes that cause unwanted hunger and increased appetite. Rich in a substance called cinnamaldehyde, cinnamon contains a large number of antioxidants as well that promote overall health. Cinnamon actually has the third-highest antioxidant content among all herbs and spices, which means it’s a powerhouse ingredient that you should make sure is included in your daily tea regimen.
How to Make Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon tea is easy to make with a cinnamon stick and water. Fill a pot with one and a half cups of water and add one cinnamon stick. Cover the pot and heat it over medium-low heat until it comes to a boil, taking approximately 15 to 25 minutes.
For a bolder tea flavor, you can break the cinnamon stick into a couple of pieces before putting it in the water. Even when it comes to a boil, the water might be a pale yellow color. It will darken over time, so don’t be alarmed or think you ruined your weight loss tea.
After the water has come to a boil, turn off the burner and let the tea steep for about 15 minutes. As the tea cools, the stick will release more cinnamon, darkening the liquid into a golden-red color.
Strain the liquid into a mug and drink it right away. If you want your tea hotter at this point, you can put it back on the stove without cinnamon pieces in it and reheat it. You can’t do this with all tea, but cinnamon tea still tastes delicious reheated.
10. Turmeric tea
Turmeric is most famous for its use in curry and other Indian and Asian dishes. Additionally, it can provide great health benefits due to the antioxidant curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory and disease-fighter. It can treat many metabolic conditions that cause weight gain, help stabilize blood sugar, and even destroy free radicals that can lead to cancer formation. Due to this, it makes it an easy choice on your weight loss and health journey.
How to Make Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea requires turmeric, ginger, black pepper, lemon, honey, and water. Boil one cup of water and, while you wait, add the spices to your mug. You will need one teaspoon of ground turmeric, half a teaspoon of ground ginger, and a pinch of black pepper.
When the water boils, pour it into your mug and mix it up well. Then, add one teaspoon of lemon juice and as much honey as you like.
Final Thoughts on Drinking Weight Loss Teas to Help You Reach Your Goals
While positive thinking certainly helps, you also need to maintain a strict diet to lose weight and get healthy. These teas for weight loss can help you reach your goals while also boosting your health in plenty of other ways, too!
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