Saxenda was very clearly inspired by the TikTok and Instagram aesthetics of #cleanse and weight-loss tea; probably, you’ve crossed paths with a TikTok or Instagram trend related to weight-loss teas you either steep or extract from a bottle.
It is important to note that weight loss must address a few components and cannot solely rely on diet- nor should dieting be sold as magic secrets.
To help with healthy eating and losing weight, eat whole foods in proper portions.
Nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein-rich foods are healthier alternatives than empty calories and sugar-rich drinks.
Also, sweet drinks are not as satiating as solid foods, and most people do not automatically adjust their intake afterward to help offset ingested liquid calories was the conclusion in a review from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2023.
So, what’s the ideal choice for weight loss? Let’s explore why tea tops the list.
Most widely consumed in the world after water, tea can be an important tool to help us achieve our weight loss goals.
Replacing sugary coffee with lower-calorie, unsweetened tea helps you reduce overall calorie intake significantly.
Given that the average American consumes 145 calories per day of sugar-sweetened beverages, you do the match and see that opting for a low-caloric drink can save you significant calories over time.
One type of polyphenol, catechins, is specifically found in all true teas and plays a role in accelerating metabolism and the increased utilization of fat for energy, per 2020.
As a true tea, green tea contains the highest amounts of catechins, especially matcha-grade green tea.
The Best Drink for Weight Loss
So in the race of Healthy Drink, we awarded Green tea as its top pick for Weight loss. Every tea is potentially healthful, but green tea retains the title for several reasons.
Aids in Reducing Sugar Consumption
A 2019 study in Circulation illustrates the negative effects on health of high sugar-sweetened beverage intake.
Choosing unsweetened green tea instead of sweetened beverages contributes to rather of reduction in your added sugar intake.
In addition to its sugar-free benefits, researchers in Korea say a 2019 meta-analysis in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research found that people who consumed more than two or three cups of green tea each day saw additional heart-related benefits such as an associated decrease in heart disease and stroke494, as well as type 2 diabetes.
Abundant in Catechins
However, all true teas contain catechins and green tea boasts the top among them, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Green tea catechins are of interest to numerous researchers, in particular EGCG, the most abundant catechin in green tea.
A 2018 review from Molecules suggests that green tea – specifically EGCG – can help support weight loss by upping metabolism while enhancing fat oxidation for energy.
This leads to potential fat burn because a higher metabolic rate determines the amount of calories your body burns during the daily processes and functions.
It appears that EGCG may be even more effective when combined with green tea and exercise.
A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science found that women who took almond leaf extracts before exercising burned more fat than females who did not.
There is only limited long-term research on the consumption of green tea and weight status.
In stark contrast, a study out of Korea in 2022, featured in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that women who drank more than four cups of green tea a day were 44% less likely to develop abdominal obesity.
Contains Caffeine
Its combination of catechins and caffeine is believed to help boost metabolism and aid with weight loss. A natural stimulant, caffeine improves wakefulness. This increases performance during workouts as well.
Caffeine and EGCG appear to work in a calorie-burning symbiosis.
In a 2017 systematic review from Nutricion Hospitalaria, green tea extract was found to be effective for fat loss as a supplement only when combined with 80-300 milligrams of caffeine per day.
Potential Side Effects
Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements links it to possible side effects, including constipation, nausea, liver damage, and higher blood pressure, among other risks.
In beverage form, there are no safety alerts for consuming green tea.
Interference with Iron Absorption
Green tea contains tannins and oxalates, natural compounds that can impede iron absorption in the body.
While tannins might block some iron absorption within one meal (though long-term studies have not conclusively linked tea consumption to iron deficiency, as an article published in 2017 in Current Developments in Nutrition noted),.
Conclusion
Although green tea will not rapidly get you to burn hundreds of excess calories a day, without any effort, it is a healthier alternative, it will help you hydrate like water, and it will get you closer to your goals!
As you reconsider your beverage choices for weight loss, consider incorporating green tea into your routine—it hydrates, provides an energy boost from caffeine, and supplies potent antioxidants in the form of catechins.
Disclaimer: At Thriven Authority, we strive to provide clear and helpful information for our readers. All products listed are carefully curated by our editorial team, but we recommend using your discretion and seeking an expert’s opinion before using them. Prices and availability may change after publication. If you buy something via the links in this article, we may earn a commission.
