It’s the latest diet trend and it comes in a cup: It’s called the teatox.
People are trying to lose weight by pairing certain kinds of tea with light eating and exercise. But does it work and is it
safe?
If you’re thinking of using it to shed those extra holiday pounds, Consumer Reports says detox tea might do more harm than good
Detox teas contain a variety of ingredients including some that claim to help with weight loss: Stimulants like guarana which can contain up to four times the amount of caffeine in coffee.
Too much caffeine will not only not help long-term with weight loss but can cause issues like jitteriness and nervousness. These teatoxes also often contain laxatives like senna or senna leaf.
The reason you might see a short-term dip in the scale is because they’re dehydrating. But once you consume enough liquid,
your weight will go right back up. And used to excess, laxatives can be dangerous.
Detox teas are often regulated like dietary supplements, which means much more loosely than FDA approved medications. Which means, what’s listed on the label isn’t always reliable. And if weight loss is your goal, there are better, safer and proven strategies.
It’s good to keep an eye on your portions and keep those under control. Get plenty of fiber, which you’ll find in whole grains and in produce. And step up your physical activity if you’re not so active.
If you’re still thinking of a teatox, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure what’s in the ingredients won’t conflict with any medication you are taking.
And if you enjoy a cup or two of traditional tea a day, go for it. It’s a reasonable part of a healthy diet and may have some small weight loss benefits.
