Metabolism is often talked about in conversations about health, especially those centered on weight loss. But what exactly is it, and how do we keep it at a healthy speed?

On the basic level, your metabolism is how your body uses what you eat and drink in order to turn it into energy. If you have a faster metabolism, your body is burning energy more rapidly, which is something that can aid in healthy weight loss and weight management.

While losing weight and boosting metabolism involves more than just a specific type of food or drink, there are items you can consume that can contribute to you meeting your goals based on the nutrients and antioxidants they carry.

To learn more about metabolism-boosting drinks, we talked with a couple of dietitians to get their choices for the best metabolism-boosting teas.

Making tea with ginger is known as being one of the healthiest teas you can drink.

“Ginger is unique to weight loss in that it contains compounds known as gingerols and shogaols. These compounds create an antioxidant effect in the body that reduces free radical damage in the body. This damage leads to an increase in oxidative stress that can both cause and exacerbate obesity, and can also lead to decreased metabolism, energy, and more,” says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements.

Black tea is a classic drink enjoyed by many different cultures. Not only does it contain helpful levels of caffeine, but it also comes packed with helpful nutrients for metabolism-boosting.

“It’s usually packed with flavones, which have shown to speed up metabolism and support weight loss by supporting excess calorie or fat burning in the body. The caffeine in black tea can also improve metabolism, especially when taken in the morning, and can also help regulate total BMI,” says Nataly Komova, RD, a registered dietitian and fitness expert at Just CBD

Matcha is a popular type of green tea known for having tons of health benefits.

“Matcha is a popular high-quality herbal Japanese tea containing caffeine, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Taking a cup of matcha tea before a workout has been shown to boost metabolism and fat oxidation, which can aid in weight loss. Fat oxidation is the pace at which the body uses or burns body fat, and a higher rate implies increased weight loss,” says Komova.

RELATED: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Matcha

Green tea is a classic metabolism-boosting tea and one of the most common choices among tea drinkers.

“Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has been positively associated with fat loss and weight loss. It is loaded with catechins, a type of antioxidants that have been shown to help increase fat burning, especially during exercise. A study found that women who had green tea extract for 12 weeks had greater weight loss and smaller waistlines. A review of 14 studies in 2014 showed that obese participants lost an average of 0.44-7.7 pounds more compared to those who did not have green tea in a 12-week period,” says Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND, author of My Indian Table – Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes.

If you’re not a fan of black or green tea, oolong is always a great alternative that still comes with helpful antioxidants for aiding in weight loss.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

“Oolong tea has been associated with promoting weight loss by enhancing how our body metabolizes fat. A study in 2009 found that over 64-66% obese and overweight participants in a six-week study while drinking 8 grams of oolong tea per day lost more than two pounds,” says Sheth.

Rooibos is a helpful choice for boosting your metabolism if you don’t want the caffeine that comes with the other types mentioned above.

“Rooibos, which is from South Africa, is an herbal tea that contains aspalathin. This compound may potentially help increase both sugar and fat metabolism. However, more research needs to be done,” says Sheth.

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With a unique blend of herbs and spices, you may find different kinds of delicious teas to lose those extra pounds. Tea is a timeless beverage. For many people, it is no less than a necessity. The tea culture continues in the diet industry under the marketing claim of slimming tea. However, you don’t need expensive tea leaves to attain the benefits. Tea probably works best for any weight loss plan when you pair it with adequate exercise and a healthy diet. For sure, drinking tea for weight loss is very subjective.

Top Six Teas for Weight Loss

Green Tea

All weight-loss conversations begin with green tea. A study shows that people who consistently drank two cups of green tea daily delivered a lower body fat percentage than non-regular green tea drinkers. It is considered the most effective weight loss tea. 

Green tea is high in catechins that increase fat burning and boost metabolism. The calorie-burning nature of green tea is a blessing in disguise for obese and overweight people.

Black Tea

One of the most potent tea varieties on the market, black tea contains a good amount of flavones which makes a fantastic beverage choice for people trying to reduce weight. A study shows that drinking tea with high flavonoids promotes lower body mass index than those with lower flavones. Therefore, infusing the black tea leaves in water makes a perfect drink to support weight management. In addition, black tea contains much less caffeine than black coffee as a weight-loss diet tip.

White Tea

The catechins in white tea and green tea are comparable, making them ideal for weight loss. Drinking white tea extract prevents the formation of new fat cells and promotes the breakdown of existing ones. Furthermore, it is the least processed tea out there, meaning that white tea retains fat-burning properties.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a partially oxidised, traditional Chinese tea that is milder than black tea and bolder than green tea. It has a fruity flavour and fragrant aroma. Oolong tea enhances weight loss by speeding up metabolism and burning fats. 

A clinical study shows that drinking oolong tea at breakfast and lunch for two weeks straight stimulated a 20% increase in post-meal fat burn. Moreover, oolong tea has antioxidants and lipid-lowering properties essential for weight loss.

Hibiscus Tea

Drinking hibiscus tea supplies you with certain plant compounds that help to boost fat elimination and regulate the lipid metabolism genes. Hibiscus tea is a good option for those who don’t like to drink green tea. You should drink 3-4 cups of hibiscus tea a day, without adding sugars, half an hour before your main meals. You can expect better weight loss results if combined with physical exercise and diet. Hibiscus extract may keep your weight at a healthier level.

Pu-Erh Tea

Native to Chinese tea culture, Pu Erh tea inhibits your body from producing more fats. The best time to drink Pu-erh tea is one hour after a meal so that it can eliminate hard-to-digest fats and excess grease from the body. If you drink Pu-erh tea at the wrong time, it causes weight gain instead. You may experience noticeable weight loss from drinking Pu-erh tea without adding other additives and sweeteners.

Could Tea Work for Weight Loss? 

Different types of tea show characteristic fat-burning properties. However, are they enough to achieve that ideal body weight? Probably not. Herbal tea has become an easy way to lose weight, especially among the youth. Although drinking herbal teas alone won’t lead to weight loss, it does indirectly help you shed those extra kilos. It is not valid to say that a single addition of tea to your diet is the secret to weight loss. No matter how much tea you drink, your lifestyle and diet are equally important. 

You can follow an active fitness routine for over two hours daily. Apart from this Always follow an energy-releasing diet rich in fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and whole grains.

When to Drink Tea 

You may have a nice cup of green tea in the morning and later in the evening. To obtain better results, drink a cup or two of green tea before the workout session. Avoid drinking green tea at night as its caffeine content stimulates a sense of alertness, making it difficult to fall asleep. That said, the same is valid for yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea, and black tea. Not to mention the toilet break that comes from drinking fluids before going to bed. Some people may drink green tea two hours before bedtime to avoid possible sleep disturbances. However, it may not be handy for everyone.

As for drinking tea in the morning, hold off drinking it on an empty stomach if you have a sensitive stomach. It is to prevent any gastrointestinal distress. A common practice in most Indian households is to kick start the morning with heavy milk tea. Be it tea or coffee, never start your day with caffeine. They create an imbalance between the acidic and alkaline levels of the stomach. It may keep you troubled throughout the day. Try to avoid drinking tea with meals if you’re diagnosed with anaemia as it interferes with iron absorption.

If you have liver problems, drinking tea after a meal is best. So, should you consume tea right after a meal? No, that’s not how it works. Instead, keep some time gap for the food to get digested. One must maintain a minimum gap of around one hour between meal and tea consumption. However, herbal teas are relatively safe to drink right after the meal, unlike regular milk tea.

Traditional Way of Drinking Tea in India

Besides the different types of beverages in India, there’s also an authentic style of tea. It’s called masala chai. Masala means spice, and chai means tea. And that is what Masala Chai is—Spiced Tea. The essential ingredients are spices, sugar, milk, and black tea. The combination of herbs like peppercorns, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom makes masala chai different from the standard cup of tea. 

Here is the breakdown of how masala chai may help you with weight loss.

• Black pepper in masala chai is an antioxidant that contains piperine, which boosts metabolism and prevents fat accumulation.

• Cinnamon may help you manage glucose levels, leading to weight loss. 
• Its anti-inflammatory property aids in metabolic health. A good metabolism is equivalent to efficient weight loss.

• Cardamom promotes weight loss by fighting to bloat and regulating digestion. 
• Furthermore, its melatonin content supports the fat-burning process in our body.
• Fennel seeds flush the toxins and keep you feeling full for a more extended period. Both these properties support the weight loss process.

All the spices said above are readily available in your kitchen! A word of advice; do not add any honey or sugar into your tea as high in calories. Contrary to popular belief, honey does add up calories to your diet. One tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, while the same quantity of sugar has only 49 calories.

Healthy Tea Recipe for Weight Loss

1. Green Tea with Mint and Lemon

• Serves: 1
• Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• Water: 1 cup
• Mint leaves: 6-7
• Green tea leaves: 2 tablespoon
• Whole lime: 1

Method of Preparation

• Add water and mint leaves to a saucepan and heat the water until it boils.
• After five minutes, switch off the gas and add green tea leaves.
• Let it soak for five minutes and remove the leaves later.
• Squeeze the lemon into the tea and pour it into the cup. Drink while it’s hot.

2. Black Tea

• Serves: 1
• Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• Water: 1 cup
• Black tea leaves: 1 teaspoon
• Lemon juice: 1/2 teaspoon

Method of Preparation

• Boil the water with a teaspoon of black tea leaves. 
• Steep it for a few minutes and simmer it for around 8-10 minutes.
• Strain the black tea into a cup and add lemon juice. Do not add any sugars for better benefits.

Things to Remember

• Weight loss tea or detox tea is not proven explicitly for weight loss. However, falling into the claims of the diet tea industry may cause you serious harm. Slimming teas can trigger nausea, constipation, weak colon, and diarrhoea.

• Conventional tea brands may have hidden additives and added sugars. Though moderate tea consumption is beneficial, drinking too much tea causes reverse effects.

• How much tea is too much? Well, try to limit it to 3-4 cups a day. However, this varies from person to person and the type of tea. For example, to attain maximum benefits from Green tea, you may drink around 6-7 cups a day.

Conclusion

Knowing when to and when not to drink tea makes a difference in sleep quality and how you feel in the morning. Drink tea after a meal, not before. Of course, drinking green tea before you work out can be helpful. Developing the habit of enjoying herbal teas, minus any sweetener or sugar will assist you in the weight loss journey. However, just drinking tea alone is not enough for weight loss. Pair those fat-burning herbal teas with an active lifestyle and healthy diet.

Tea can be a hydrating, low calorie, and healthy beverage option for workout routines if you skip the sugar and milk. Some of the best teas for weight loss are green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, hibiscus tea, and Pu-erh tea. However, tea is not a magical elixir for weight loss. In conclusion, a balanced diet, exercise, and herbal tea make a great weight loss plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Which tea is best for weight loss?

A. Green tea is considered the most effective for weight loss. It is rich in an antioxidant called catechins. Catechins control blood pressure, help control weight loss and improve brain health. In addition, it boosts your metabolism and helps burn more fat in the body.

Q. Which tea makes you lose belly fat fast?

A. Herbal teas are an excellent way to lose weight. Green tea and Pu-erh tea (Chinese black tea) are some of the best herbal teas to reduce belly fat. Furthermore, green tea helps burn 3-4% more calories, even at rest, making it one of the best belly fat reducing teas. At the same time, Pu-Erh tea inhibits your body from producing more fats and increases your metabolism. 

Q. Can drinking tea help you lose weight?

A. Drinking tea can help you shed those extra kilos when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Some herbal teas have fat-burning properties. In addition, green tea increases your metabolism and helps detox your body. However, drinking tea alone cannot lead to weight loss. If you want to shed your extra kilos, a healthy diet and exercise are the prerequisites.

Q. What is the healthiest tea to drink daily?

A. Green tea is known to be the healthiest tea you can drink daily. It supports weight loss by boosting our body’s metabolism and burning body fat. It acts as a detox for the body and is an excellent source of antioxidants. Furthermore, it is less processed than other teas. However, you cannot ignore the benefits of different tea variants like chamomile tea, white tea and black tea,  which also have a lot of health benefits. 

Q. Does tea at night help lose weight?

A. Drinking some herbal teas before going to bed can help you lose weight and help you sleep better. Lack of sleep can disturb the metabolism, the breakdown of food in the body. Therefore, it can lead to weight gain over time. Tea like chamomile tea is known for its relaxing properties. However, you should also avoid adding sugar to your bedtime tea because sugar can make you feel more energised and awake and add to your calorie consumption.

Q. What is the best tea to drink before bed for weight loss?

A. Several studies suggest that drinking two cups of oolong tea before going to bed can help you burn your body fat while you’re asleep. Although it contains some caffeine, it is not a sleep disruptor. Instead, it increases the breakdown of fat in the body.

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