Overview of Detox Tea
For thousands of years, people have attempted…
…to cleanse their bodies of what they believe are poisons. Bloodletting, enemas, sweat lodges, fasting, and the consumption of detoxifying teas are some historical “detox” techniques. Up to the early twentieth century, these techniques were even utilized as medical treatments. Drinking detox teas is becoming a common practice for those who want to rid their bodies of toxins. You may have seen celebrities consume them, such as the “Master Cleanse” regimen.
The components in detox teas, like other dietary supplements, are not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, some teas and other “detoxifying” weight reduction products have lately been discovered to include hazardous medicines and substances that are not stated on the box. As a result, although some detox drinks may contain common tea components such as tea leaves, others may contain harmful or allergy-inducing compounds such as medicines and pharmaceuticals. Before attempting to utilize any detox product, consult with your doctor.
Do Detox Tea Help You Lose Weight?
Tea is a commonly used and usually healthful beverage. Green tea is said to be very nutritious and contains compounds that can aid with weight loss. These substances are known as catechins. They appear to enhance the amount of fat burnt during physical activity.
Experts concur, however, that additional study is needed to properly understand the benefits of green tea on weight reduction. There are no clinical trials demonstrating that detox teas are effective weight reduction aids. Most detox teas are offered with diet and exercise guidelines for what might be a week-long or longer “cleaning” phase. These guidelines may advise eating healthily or eating in moderation.
Companies marketing detox drinks and other treatments frequently suggest strenuous exercise, claiming that it can help remove toxins from the body. Eating more healthily or eating very little, along with increased activity, may result in weight loss. In other words, losing weight when drinking detox teas may not be due to the tea itself, but rather to a reduction in caloric intake and an increase in caloric output.
Furthermore, detox teas frequently include significant quantities of caffeine. While caffeine is naturally present in most teas, excessive amounts of caffeine serve as a diuretic. Diuretics cause the body to excrete water via urine and bowel motions. They have the ability to cause you to shed “water weight.”
Detox teas may also have a laxative effect, allowing meals to pass more quickly through your digestive tract. This might make your abdomen appear smaller and flatter. However, detox teas do not result in significant or long-term fat reduction from the body. They can, on the other hand, dehydrate you.
Detox Tea Side Effects
Some detox teas are safe blends of tea leaves, similar to ordinary teas. Others, on the other hand, contain extra chemicals that may be harmful to your health. These are some examples of ingredients:
- strong plants, such as senna
- laxatives
- high levels of caffeine
- medications
- forbidden substances, such as ephedra
The components in detox teas are intended to provide you with energy. They may also send you racing to the restroom on a regular basis. Emptying your bowels and bladder frequently may result in a minor weight reduction. However, the majority of what you’re losing is water, not poisons. This is not a safe or effective method of losing extra weight. While some teas include substances that are intended to “speed” you up (like ephedra) and make you more active (a better method to lose weight), they can also produce serious side effects, such as:
- coronary artery disease
- strokes
- seizures
- death
So, Instead of Drinking Detox Teas, What Should I Do?
Wanting to lose weight (and deciding to lose weight) are two extremely personal decisions, and Ardolino (and most other registered dietitians) believe that improving your diet (adding more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) and getting regular exercise is the best way to achieve better health and long-term weight loss. That’s all there is to it.
And for all you tea drinkers out there, ditch the detox tea in favor of a regular, non-celebrity-endorsed tea that’s been around for ages. Just don’t expect regular teas to be a weight-loss miracle. The main result is that, while detox drinks are trendy, they aren’t a healthy, long-term strategy to reduce weight. Dietary modifications and exercise are the only effective ways to do this
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