Tea is an ancient beverage that helps boost weight loss and your overall health. And you know that green tea, from the plant Camellia sinensis, is one of the most popular and trusted weight loss beverages. But scientists have found anti-obesity properties in numerous other herbs, roots, and flowers that you can consume as tea. Sure, green tea is fantastic for weight loss, and it tops our list. But if green tea is giving you the blues, you can give these other teas a try. This article lists 12 best teas for weight loss – and everything else you need to know to boost it.
Each of these Teas for Weight Loss has its individual, magic properties, from dimming your hunger hormones to upping your calorie burn to—literally—melting the fat that’s stored in your fat cells. Oh, and they can also help reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes too. (Stick to 3-4 cups—or tea bags of tea per day, and chooses brewed varieties over bottled to avoid extra calories and sweeteners.)
1. Green Tea for Weight Loss
Green tea is obtained from the apical leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. It contains many catechins, specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine (less than coffee). EGCG and caffeine are both responsible for their weight loss properties. EGCG, an antioxidant, helps scavenge the harmful oxygen radicals, thereby reducing inflammation and inflammation-induced obesity and hence placing it high on the list of best teas for weight loss. Various studies by researchers proved that consuming green tea could help obese and diabetic patients lose weight by increasing fat metabolism and satiety and suppressing obesity genes.
To Prepare Green Tea:
- Heat a cup (or two) of water. Do not let it boil. The temperature should be about 85o
- Pour the water into a teapot and add a teaspoon (or two) of green tea leaves.
- Cover it and steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Strain into a mug.
- Squeeze a lemon into it if you want.
You can consume green tea with your breakfast and between meals. Try not to consume it before going to bed, and do not have more than five cups of green tea per day. Avoid it if you have anxiety or become hyperactive after consuming caffeine.
2. Hibiscus Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
Hibiscus tea is obtained from Hibiscus sabdariffa and is a potent antioxidant (8). Also, it does not contain any caffeine. Scientists have found that drinking this tea can help lower blood pressure, and hence, it is suitable for those suffering from hypertension. Hypertension causes stress, which, in turn, increases toxins in the body, leading to inflammation. And when your body is in a constant state of inflammation, it prevents fat metabolism, leading to weight gain. American scientists have also found that it helps lower LDL cholesterol and improves blood lipid profile.
To Prepare Hibiscus Tea
- Bring a cup of water to a boil.
- Add a teaspoon of hibiscus tea/flowers to a teapot.
- When the water starts boiling, take it off the flame and pour it into the teapot.
- Steep for 5 minutes before straining it into a cup and drinking.
Consume it with your breakfast and/or between meals. You can drink mild hibiscus tea before bed if you find it difficult to fall asleep. Make sure not to have more than three cups of hibiscus tea per day.
3. Chamomile Tea for Diet
Chamomile tea is obtained from the flowers of M. chamomilla. It has anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, sleep-inducing, and anti-anxiety properties. Depression, anxiety, inflammation, and sleep deprivation have a direct relation to weight gain. Scientists have found that the presence of phenolic compounds, such as quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, patuletin, and glucosides, in chamomile tea is responsible for its anti-obesity properties. A study also showed that chamomile tea could lower blood sugar levels.
To Prepare Chamomile Tea
- Bring a cup of water to a boil.
- Take it off the heat and pour it into a teapot containing two teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers or a chamomile tea bag.
- Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain it into a cup and drink.
Have it before you go to bed to sleep better. Consume a mild version of chamomile tea during the day on weekdays if you feel depressed or anxious. Do not have more than two cups of chamomile tea a day.
4. Ginger Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
Ginger is the root of a flowering plant and is commonly used as a spice and flavoring agent. Scientists have found that ginger contains a bioactive compound, gingerol, which is responsible for its pungent and characteristic smell and its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-nausea, glucose-sensitizing, and blood pressure-lowering properties. Researchers at Columbia University found that ginger helped increase satiety and enhanced thermogenesis.
To Prepare Ginger Tea
- Heat a cup of water.
- Add a teaspoon of grated ginger to the water.
- Let it boil for 5 minutes.
- You can add honey and lemon if you want.
- Strain and drink up!
You can consume ginger tea for breakfast or between meals. Do not have more than three cups of ginger tea per day.
5. Peppermint Tea for Weight Loss
Peppermint tea is obtained from peppermint leaves. It has an immediate soothing and calming effect. Scientists have found that peppermint contains volatile compounds, such as menthol, menthone, hesperidin, luteolin, and eriocitrin. These have mood-uplifting, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, digestion-improving, and antioxidant effects.
To Prepare Peppermint Tea
- Bring a cup of water to a boil.
- Add 5-10 peppermint leaves to the boiling water.
- Let it boil for 5-7 minutes.
- Strain it into a cup and drink.
- You can also use a tea bag and steep it in hot water for about 3 minutes.
Consume it between meals, two hours before sleeping, or with your breakfast. Do not have more than two to three cups of peppermint tea per day.
6. Calendula Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
Calendula tea is obtained from the flowers of the plant Calendula officinalis, also known as calendula or English marigold. Researchers have found that calendula possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. It has a flowery and refreshing taste that can help calm you down and reduce stress. So, calendula tea can help prevent stress and inflammation-induced weight gain.
To Prepare Calendula Tea
- Bring a cup of water to a boil.
- Add one to two teaspoons of dried calendula flowers, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain it into a cup before drinking.
Consume it with your breakfast or between meals. Do not have more than three to four cups of calendula tea per day.
7. Rosemary Tea for Diet
Rosemary is a popular aromatic herb used in cooking. It is obtained from the plant Rosmarinus officinalis and has spike-like leaves. Research on rosemary leaf and extracts have been carried out, and they were found to have strong antioxidant properties. Researchers also found that rosemary tea had an antidepressant property. Both these properties are suitable for promoting weight loss.
To Prepare Rosemary Tea
- Boil a cup of water.
- Add it to a teapot. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or two teaspoons of dried rosemary.
- Steep it for 5 minutes. You can also steep for 10 minutes – but it might get bitter.
- Strain it into a cup and drink.
Have it with breakfast and between your lunch and evening snack. Do not drink more than three cups of rosemary tea per day.
8. Matcha Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
Matcha tea is the powdered tea from the plant Camellia sinensis. Since it undergoes minimum processing, and you drink the leaves in the powdered form instead of discarding them, matcha is gaining popularity as one of the best teas for weight loss. It has more epigallocatechin gallate, a powerful antioxidant that helps flush out the toxins and boosts immunity.
To Prepare Matcha Tea
- Sift a teaspoon of matcha powder.
- Add it to a cup of hot water.
- Swish it in a ‘W’ or ‘N’ motion vigorously until it becomes frothy.
- Drink it warm
You can consume it with your breakfast or whenever you want to relax. Avoid consuming more than two teaspoons of matcha per day.
9. Pomegranate Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
Pomegranate tea is a unique tea brewed with concentrated pomegranate juice, ground pomegranate seeds, or dried pomegranate flowers. Pomegranates are loaded with antioxidants and have antimicrobial properties. The sweet taste of this tea will give you a break from the regular unsweetened teas for weight loss.
To Prepare Pomegranate Tea
- Bring a cup of water to a boil and remove it from the flame immediately.
- Add a teaspoon of chamomile or green tea and crushed pomegranate seeds or dried pomegranate flower to a teapot.
- Pour the hot water, cover, and steep for 4-5 minutes.
- Strain into a cup and drink.
You can have it during breakfast or in between meals. Do not drink more than three cups of pomegranate tea per day.
10. Oolong Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
Oolong tea is also obtained from Camellia sinensis, but the processing is different from green and matcha teas. It is also loaded with EGCG, a potent phytonutrient that has antioxidant properties. Scientists have confirmed that oolong tea is excellent for weight loss as it helps lower the lipid levels in the blood and increases fat metabolism.
To Prepare Oolong Tea
- Bring a cup of water to a boil.
- Remove from the flame and let it cool down for about 2 minutes.
- Add a teaspoon of oolong tea to a teapot and pour the water into it.
- Cover and steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Strain and drink.
You can have it with breakfast or between meals. Do not consume more than five cups of oolong tea per day. Since it contains a small amount of caffeine, avoid it if you feel restless after drinking caffeinated beverages.
11. White Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
White tea is also obtained from Camellia sinensis. The tea is found to inhibit fat cell formation and helps in fat breakdown. Scientists have also found that daily consumption of white tea can lead to the inhibition of diabetes-related effects in the cerebral cortex.
To Prepare White Tea
- Heat a cup of water. Do not let it come to a boil.
- Remove from the flame and let it cool down for about 2 minutes.
- Add a teaspoon of white tea to a teapot and pour the water into it.
- Cover and steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Strain it and drink.
Have it while having breakfast or between meals. Avoid consuming it before bed. Do not have then two cups of white tea per day.
12. Pu Erh Tea for Diet and Weight Loss
Pu Erh tea is named after the town Pu’er in the Yunnan province in China. And guess what – this tea is also obtained from Camellia sinensis. This is a specially fermented tea and is also known as black tea. Scientists have found that Pu Erh tea has lipid-lowering properties, and it helps reduce weight in patients with metabolic syndrome.
To Prepare Pu Erh Tea
- Heat a cup of water. Do not let it come to a boil.
- Remove from the flame.
- Pull about half an inch of Pu Erh tea and add it to a teapot.
- Pour the water into the teapot.
- Cover and steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Strain it before drinking.
You can consume it between meals or with breakfast. It is safe to consume two to three cups of Pu Erh tea per day.
Rounding Off: Best Tea for Diet and Weight Loss?
These are the 12 best teas for weight loss. Many people want to lose weight. Some people like to lose those stubborn last five pounds, and some are obese and at risk of severe cardiovascular disease. Whatever the case, losing weight often tops the list of people’s health initiatives and for a good reason. Scientists have shown the correlation between excess fat and serious illness such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and premature death.
The good news is that you can accelerate your weight loss by drinking some of your favorite beverages. Instead of reaching for sugary sodas or dangerous weight loss pills, simply pour yourself a cup of tea and sip your way to better health. Remember, you must eat healthily and work out to help the teas do their work. Go ahead and lose the flab to feel light, uplifted, and reincarnated.