The Final Verdict on Drinking Tea for Weight Loss
I think we can all agree that it would be nice to have a miracle drink for weight loss, one where we could just take a few sips and instantly shed the pounds.
But sadly, this doesn't exist. And even though there isn't a miracle weight loss beverage for us to enjoy, there are types of drinks that can help support our goals as we pursue a healthy lifestyle.
Tea is one of the most talked-about of these "weight loss drinks," so we decided to learn as much as we can about why it's so highly talked about among those wanting to lose weight.
To do this, we spoke to Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility and member of the Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board, and her response? That she supports using tea for weight loss as long as it's coupled with a healthy diet.
Read on to learn more about what Manaker has to say on how tea can help you lose weight, and for more healthy eating tips, make sure to sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!
What makes drinking green tea so effective for weight loss
The natural ingredients found in certain teas can make them great for supporting weight loss and weight management. For example, according to Manaker, "green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that have been linked to fat loss and an increased metabolism."
There are different types of catechins found in green tea, and one of the most predominant is known as EGCG. Many researchers attribute most of green tea's health benefits to its high quantity of catechins like EGCG.
Catechins in green tea have been known to support weight loss in a multitude of ways, including shrinking fat cells, blocking the formation of new fat cells, and regulating blood sugar.
Green tea isn't the only tea for weight loss
According to Manaker, "other teas, like black and oolong, have been shown to support weight loss too." There hasn't been as much research done on these types of tea as there has been for green tea, but current data shows they can still be helpful for your goals.
A study from the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine discovered that obese and overweight participants who consumed a daily serving of oolong tea for six weeks saw a decrease in body fat. Part of oolong's health benefits could be attributed to its catechin content as well, but green tea still contains the highest amount.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found surprising results related to black tea and its potential weight loss benefits as well.
Researchers in this study learned that black tea might actually be able to alter the bacteria in your gut, which can attribute to weight loss. However, this study was performed on mice, so more research still needs to be done.
How you drink your tea matters
Teas like green, oolong, and black can be great for supporting your weight loss goals, but Manaker reminds us that how you drink your tea makes a huge difference.
"If the tea is replacing caloric drinks like regular sodas, any variety would likely be a good choice when supporting weight loss," says Manaker, "and as long as the tea isn't being enjoyed with a large amount of sugar, honey, cream, or other caloric additions, it can be a fantastic choice for weight loss support as well as overall health support."
So when reaching for a cup of tea to help you with your weight loss goals, just remember that although it can help you, it's your daily food, movement, and sleep choices that make all the difference.
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