The Best Tea for Weight Loss - According to Science
It would seem that tea has got more advantages than simply being healthier than coffee. Studies suggest that drinking tea can also boost your metabolism, combat diabetes/heart disease, and encourage weight loss.
In this article, we shall determine if there is any credibility to ‘weight loss tea’. More importantly, we will uncover the best tea for weight loss amongst the numerous types available.
Can tea help you lose weight?
Soothing, refreshing, and the perfect pick me up after a tiring day; there is little wonder why tea is one of the most enjoyed beverages in the world – it is quick and easy to make and comes in a variety of flavors.
But what about weight loss – do slimming teas really exist? Well, the answer would appear to be yes.
Numerous studies point towards the idea of tea being able to boost your metabolism; trigger greater fat loss (around your stomach); protect your cells from damage AND minimize heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The simple act of swapping sugary drinks and juices for tea alone can instantly help to reduce your daily calorie intake, as most teas contain little to no calories until you add milk, sugar, etc. However, research also revealed the following:
- Animal and test-tube studies have found that tea can block fat cell formation, prompting increased weight loss in subjects.
- Many teas are high in flavones and catechins – beneficial compounds that can aid weight loss.
- Drinking 1-2 cups of tea a day can lower harmful belly fat.
Then there is the fact that they can up your calorie burn and essentially act as an ‘appetite suppressant tea’ by dimming your hunger hormones and lowering your calorie intake.
But which is better?
Now, this is the big question as it would appear that some teas are more effective at the job than others. For that reason, you just need to consider where your weight loss issues lie.
For instance, is snacking the bane of your existence? Or do you consume too many calories and struggle with excess body fat? Once you know the answer to these, you can choose the right diet tea for you.
Fortunately, we are here to lend a hand and can reveal the best teas for weight loss.
9 best teas for weight loss
Green tea
One of the most effective teas for weight loss; green tea is a well-known metabolism booster that can help you to successfully shift excess body fat.
During a 2008 study on 60 obese people; when participants were given a standard diet for 12 weeks – paired with green tea or a placebo – those who drank green tea daily lost on average 7.3lbs more than those on the placebo.
Similarly, another 12-week study revealed significant losses in participant body weight, body fat, and waist circumference.
These weight losses can be attributed to green tea’s high levels of catechins (in particular epigallocatechin gallate). These antioxidants are known to boost metabolic rates and fat burn by causing changes in the expression of fat metabolism genes.
By triggering the release of fat from fat cells; this helps to dissipate adipose tissues (located in your stomach), as well as speed up your liver’s ability to turn fat into energy.
Other studies:
- A Chinese study found that when participants drank green tea twice a day for 90 days, they witnessed losses in belly fat, as well as 1.9cm off their waist and 2.6lbs off their weight.
- Combining 4-5 cups of green tea a day with a 25-minute sweaty workout – over a 12-week study – helped subjects to lose 2lbs more than non-tea drinkers.
So does green tea reduce belly fat? According to these studies, it is entirely possible.
Black tea
Now in terms of being a slimming tea, one study on 111 people found that drinking 3 cups of black tea a day (over 3 months) helped subjects to lose more weight and see bigger drops in waist circumference. This was due to black tea’s high levels of flavones.
And it is not a one-hit-wonder…
A study lasting 14 years on 4,280 adults, discovered that those who had a high flavone intake (from food and drinks like black tea) had a lower BMI than those with a lower flavone intake. This suggests that flavone can potentially support long term weight loss.
Pu’er Tea
This Chinese black tea, sometimes spelled pu-erh or puerhe, is believed to lower blood sugar and blood triglyceride levels (according to animal studies), as well as boost weight loss (animal and human studies).
During one study of 70 men, when they took a capsule extract of puerhe tea for 3 months, they lost approximately 2.2lbs more than those who took the placebo.
Similarly, a study on rats revealed that puerhe tea extract has anti-obesity properties which helped to suppress weight gain.
Oolong Tea
Somewhere between green tea and black tea – when it comes to oxidation and color – studies of oolong tea have revealed that it can stimulate fat burn and ramp up your metabolism.
During one study of 102 overweight people – when they drank oolong tea every day for 6 weeks, they noticed a reduction in body weight and body fat due to elevations in the body fat metabolism.
Similarly, when men were asked to drink tea for a 3 day period in a separate study, they saw that oolong tea helped to increase their energy expenditure by 2.9% (compared to those who drank water) and that they burned an extra 281 calories a day (on average).
Scientists believe this weight loss was achieved through a combination of oolongs’ ability to promote thermogenesis, as well as its high catechin levels (which help your body to metabolize lipids).
By encouraging the body to produce heat for energy, this helped participants to burn more calories while at the same time suppress the creation of new fat cells.
A Japanese study discovered that participants resting energy expenditure rose by 10% for 2 hours after drinking oolong tea, compared to green tea whose metabolism bump was only 4%.
Likewise, a study published in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine found that drinking oolong tea for 6 weeks helped subjects to lose a total of 6lbs – a pound per week.
White Tea
Harvested while the tea plant is young; white tea is known to offer a range of health benefits, including killing cancer cells and boosting weight loss/fat loss. This is all thanks to its high catechin levels which are known to enhance weight loss.
In one test-tube study, white tea extract was found to increase the breakdown of fat cells while stopping the formation of new ones.
The presence of polyphenols also enables white tea to burn fat, breakdown fat cells, and stimulate your metabolism. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism proved how white tea can boost lipolysis (the breakdown of fat) and block adipogenesis (formation of fat cells).
Herbal Tea
An infusion of herbs, spices, and fruits, herbal tea differs from the rest as 1) it doesn’t contain caffeine and 2) it comes in a variety of options i.e. ginger tea, rosehip tea, and hibiscus tea, etc.
Due to the variety of ingredients and formulations within this tea group, weight loss results can vary. However, overall studies indicate that it can assist with weight and fat loss.
One study on rats showed how herbal teas can help to normalize hormonal levels and reduce body weight, while another on rooibos tea proved that it can help increase your fat burn.
Mint Tea
There is speculation that mint tea can help to decrease food cravings and in turn encourage weight loss by diminishing your appetite.
Unfortunately, more research is needed first to prove if this diet tea claim is real so don’t rely solely on this tea for weight loss.
Rooibos Tea
A member of the herbal tea family, animal studies on rooibos suggests that it can help to increase fat burn and halt hunger by regulating your fat storage hormones.
This is due to aspalathin, a powerful flavonoid that can reduce stress hormones that are known to stimulate hunger and trigger fat storage.
Lemon Tea
Reputed to prevent bloating and obesity; lemon tea contains D-limonene, an antioxidant that can assist with metabolic disorders and weight loss thanks to its diuretic effects.
Best tea for weight loss
Admittedly, all 9 of these teas could help you to lose weight. However, if you’re looking for guaranteed results then we recommend starting with green tea.
Not only does green tea have a proven history (from numerous clinical studies) for helping subjects to achieve lasting weight loss; it can also help you to tackle your dietary needs from multiple angles e.g. it can stimulate your metabolism, as well as boost body fat loss (in particular from your stomach).
In doing so, you can experience the satisfaction of losing over half a stone in 3 weeks.
Tip: what is the best time to drink green tea for weight loss? Drinking 1-2 cups of green tea a day can increase your weight loss by over 2lbs. However, combine 4-5 cups with 30 minutes of exercise and you’ll benefit from greater weight loss.
Other ways to lose weight
There is no denying that there is a correlation between green tea and weight loss; however, you shouldn’t rely on tea alone to support your diet.
Instead, we recommend combining any of the above appetite suppressant teas with the following weight-loss strategies.
Diet
A dual strategy of eating little and often with a lower calorie intake can ramp up your weight loss endeavors. For women, aim to eat 1200-1500 calories a day split over 4 to 5 meals. For men, aim for 1500-1800 calories a day spaced over 4-5 meals.
Eating regularly will keep your metabolism revved up while reducing your calorie intake will ensure that your body receives enough fuel to function without adding to your fat reserves. At the same time, you will find it easier to achieve a higher calorie burn to intake ratio.
Weight loss supplements
Weight loss supplements are a great way to support your dieting endeavors as they designed to assist your body’s existing bodily functions.
Take for example PhenQ. This natural fat burner is created from 100% natural ingredients that have been proven to block the formation/creation of fat cells while increasing fat burn, suppressing your appetite, and lowering your calorie intake.
Paired with exercise and a healthy diet; this simple supplement can help you to lose weight and keep it off.
For more information visit the PhenQ homepage.
Exercise
Exercise is an essential part of losing weight as it stops food from being turned into fat. Instead, by incorporating a combination of cardio, strength training, and HIIT into your routine – for 30-60 minutes, 3 times a week – you can ensure that your metabolism remains elevated and that you burn more than you consume (preventing weight gain).
Conclusion
So, is there such a thing as a ‘best tea for weight loss?’ According to countless studies, yes there is. However, before you start drinking endless cups of green tea, it is important to remember that weight loss tea alone is not enough to encourage healthy weight loss.
In truth, the only way to achieve real and lasting weight loss is to eat healthily; exercise regularly, and take advantage of proven fat burners such as PhenQ. Combine these with your chosen slimming tea and you will be able to see credible results.
To learn more about PhenQ and how it can support your body, go to the PhenQ main page.
