I’m a dietitian: these teas can help you lose weight

Health

By Alexandra Klausner

A dietitian explains how certain drinks can help you lose weight.

Lauren Manaker, award-winning dietitian, author, speaker and entrepreneur, wrote an article for Health sharing her favorite teas to support you on your weight loss journey.

Green tea

Pesky weight, prepare to meet your matcha.

Green tea contains both antioxidants and caffeine, both of which can help with weight loss, Manaker explained.

Called catechins, antioxidants support your metabolism, help the body burn fat and reduce fat in the abdominal area.

Caffeine may also help with weight loss because it speeds up the rate at which the body burns calories. It also helps the body use fat as an energy source, the expert said.

Black tea

Perhaps the best breakfast is one with a cup of English breakfast.

Black tea undergoes a fermentation process which increases the levels of flavonoids in the tea. These flavonoids, called thearubigins and theaflavins, are thought to aid metabolism and aid in weight loss.

The antioxidants in black tea, called polyphenols, are also thought to help with weight loss, as is the caffeine in tea.

Oolong tea

Say oolong and goodbye to those extra pounds.

Oolong tea contains several polyphenolic compounds that may contribute to weight loss.

“These bioactive components are thought to improve fat metabolism, thereby increasing the body’s ability to burn fat more efficiently,” Manaker wrote.

She referenced a study published in the journal Nutrients that found that people who drank oolong tea for two weeks had increased fat oxidation, which may contribute to weight loss.

Researchers also observed that oolong tea could reduce insulin levels and blood sugar levels.

Peppermint tea

This tea can give you some encouraging mint in your weight loss journey.

Peppermint tea may improve digestion thanks to its menthol, which relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Menthol can also relieve bloating.

Manaker said research suggests the smell of peppermint also acts as an appetite suppressant, which can lead to weight loss.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea can add spice to your life if you are trying to lose weight.

Ginger tea contains gingerol, which acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which improves the body’s ability to burn calories.

A study published in the journal Metabolism in 2012 found that people who drank ginger tea were less hungry and ate less.

Hibiscus tea

If you feel low for your weight, you may want to add hibiscus to your diet.

Hibiscus tea is a tasty, calorie-free alternative to other drinks that can help with weight loss.

Manaker adds that hibiscus’ main compounds, called anthocyanins, may limit the body’s absorption of carbohydrates. Hibiscus extract also has anti-obesity effects and can limit fat accumulation in the body, she added.

Rooibos tea

Be the king-chief of your diet.

This naturally sweetened tea can help curb your cravings for sweeter drinks.

Rooibos tea also contains an antioxidant called aspalathin, which may reduce fat storage in the body and also help regulate blood sugar levels.