Tea for Weight Loss: Does it Work?

There’s no denying that people have been correlating certain types of tea with weight loss for years, but the question is, does it work? And if so, how does it work? Different teas have a wide range of benefits, but the answer to this specific question isn’t exactly black and white. With the arrival of cold weather, this is a good time to discuss how beneficial this delicious warm beverage is to your weight loss journey. 

Catechins

One of the main weight loss aids found in most teas are called catechins. Catechins are antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, found in some plants. This substance is supposed to boost your metabolism and increase fat burning. While most teas contain them, green tea and matcha contain especially high amounts of catechins. You can read more about studies done on green tea here!

Flavones 

Flavones are plant pigments that are rich in antioxidants. Black tea, including subgroups such as Earl Grey, have plenty of Flavones. Some researchers also believe these teas help reduce the amount of fat absorbed through the intestines because they contain other types of polyphenols, besides catechins. 

Gingerol

Gingerol is a compound known to curb gas and bloating, as well as support the gut and intestines with its anti-inflammatory properties. Unsurprisingly, you can find this compound in Ginger tea. 

Theabrownin

Theabrownin is a pigment found in Pu-erh Tea, and known to help balance the microbes in your gut. The fermentation process of this specific tea is what makes its compounds so strong. However, it has been said that you should only drink this tea about an hour after eating, and not before eating. Drinking this tea after meals will allow your body to eliminate toxins. If you often drink this tea before meals, it will have the opposite effect. 

The overall conclusion is that tea alone will not make you lose weight, but it can be a boost in the right direction. In addition to supporting your digestive tract, different teas have wide ranges of other benefits. Looking for more food to boost your gut function? Check out our previous post here.