Burn Fat Faster With These Best Weight Loss Teas

Tea is an incredible beverage that can improve overall health in myriad ways. This beverage is also particularly suited to increasing weight loss. Chemical compounds including flavones, catechins, and polyphenols all help to boost metabolism and help you feel full longer. Tea is also a naturally calorie-free beverage so you can drink several cups each day without feeling guilty.

The varied flavors of tea ensure there is a taste profile for everyone. There are floral and spiced teas as well as classic true teas. Losing weight is much simpler when you can enjoy your foods and beverages. Tea is a flavorful alternative to water and the active ingredients can help you reach your weight loss goals sooner. Read on for the best teas to help you lose weight. If you want to get your hands on some weight loss teas, we have a collection of the best weight loss teas right here.

Best Tea for Weight Loss

True Teas

1. Green Tea

Green tea supplements are one of the most popular additions to weight loss regimens. You can get these same fat burning powers just by drinking a cup of green tea. Green tea catechins reduce belly fat by speeding up metabolic rates. These catechins also boost energy levels so you can attack your workouts harder. Tea catechins also encourage the digestive system to reduce fat storage over time.

A study published in Advances in Nutrition found that catechins boost the liver's ability to burn body fat into energy. The study examined participants who worked out at least 25 minutes every day. During the study, half of the participants consumed four to five cups of tea per day. The participants that drank green tea lost an average of 2 pounds more than those that only exercised (1).

A study that appeared in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences showed that drinking green tea consistently leads to weight loss. Researchers examined 63 individuals who were divided into three groups—a control group and two experimental groups. The study spanned a period of 2 months. One experimental group consumed 2 cups of green tea per day while the other group consumed 4 cups of green tea per day. Results showed that the group with the highest level of green tea consumption lost the most weight (2).

2. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea, or 'black dragon tea' can help increase energy. Since it's a true tea made with leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, it is chock full of catechins. The catechins in tea enable your body to target fat cells and the mild caffeine content of oolong tea can give you the boost you need to get through a workout.

A 2009 Chinese study examined the ability of oolong tea to increase energy and accelerate weight loss. The study consisted of 102 obese individuals who were examined over a 6-week period. Participants consumed four 8-ounce cups of oolong tea every day during the study. The results showed that 70% of participants lost a minimum of 2 pounds. Almost a quarter of participants lost more than 6 pounds (3).

3. Black Tea

Black tea is the most processed of the true teas. The leaves are oxidized, resulting in the deep, rick black hue of the tea. There are tons of different types of black teas, but the most common are Assam, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, and breakfast teas. Research shows that black tea is an effective weight loss aid due to the presence of flavones. These antioxidants help to prevent cardiovascular disease and can lower body mass index.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the anti-obesity effects of tea flavones. The study analyzed 4,280 men over a 14-year period. The researchers focused on 6 specific catechins and 3 flavones during the study period. The study was also adjusted for factors including type 2 diabetes, smoking status, and lifestyle. After the adjustment, researchers found that increased flavone intake resulted in healthier BMIs. The improvements were seen mainly in the female participants (4).

A second study published in Food & Function examined the effects of black tea on metabolic syndromes and body mass over a 6-month period. Participants were divided into two groups, an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group consumed 3 cups of black tea each day while the control group consumed a caffeine-matched placebo.

At the conclusion of the study, researchers found that participants who consumed black tea had reduced waist circumference. They also exhibited signs of inhibited weight gain and better weight management (5).

4. White Tea

White tea is the least processed of the true teas. It is harvested and then simply sun-dried. This production process preserves all of the healthy chemical compounds within the leaves. Unprocessed teas tend to have higher concentrations of catechins, polyphenols and antioxidants than more processed teas. White tea can help you lose weight by inhibiting the production of new fat cells.

Studies on white tea in weight loss are less prominent than green tea studies. However, there is research to show it is effective in maintaining a healthy weight. One such study was conducted in vitro in Germany in 2009. Researchers focused on antioxidants in white tea that can aid in weight loss. Specifically, the antioxidant EGCG was found to inhibit the production of fat cells. That means drinking white tea can help prevent weight gain to begin with (6).

5. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea contains a chemical compound known as aspalathin that is responsible for its weight loss benefits. Aspalathin inhibits the release of chemicals that make you feel hungry. It is also particularly useful for people who overeat due to stress or anxiety. Stress can cause people to eat more resulting in rapid weight gain.

A 2014 Korean study examined the direct link between drinking rooibos tea and stress-induced weight gain. The researchers found that aspalathin inhibits the release of the stress hormone known as cortisol. High levels of cortisol result in feelings of hunger and increased fat storage. The fact that rooibos blocks this chemical means you can drink this tea when you're stressed out to prevent binge eating (7).

Herbal Teas

1. Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is an herbal tisane that is vibrant maroon in color. It has a sour flavor that is rounded out by a sweet aftertaste. This floral tea boosts metabolism and reduces fat stores throughout the body. This weight loss tea enhances the body's ability to remove stores of fat and maintain a healthier weight.

A 2014 Taiwanese study analyzed the effect of hibiscus tea extract in increasing weight loss. Researchers examined 26 individuals over a 12-week period. The results showed that participants who took hibiscus tea extract lost more weight than control groups. The hibiscus ingredients also reduced serum free fatty acid (FFA), demonstrating the tea's ability to reduce fat storage (8).

2. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is useful for weight loss because it helps to stop cravings. That's because certain scents help to trigger feelings of fullness. Research shows peppermint aromas trigger chemical reactions in the brain that make you feel less hunger.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Medical School examined the science behind this discovery. The scientists examined 3193 overweight volunteers with an average weight of 217 pounds. The participants were given inhalers that contained peppermint and were instructed to use it every two hours over a 6-month period. The participants who consistently used the inhalers lost and average of 2% body weight each month (9).

3. Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is made from the roots of the ginger plant. It has a slightly spicy flavor that is warm and peppery. This tea is often consumed with a dash of honey or a slice of lemon to lessen the piquant taste. Ginger supports the digestive system to breakdown fats. It also blocks fat absorption in the intestines, further preventing weight gain.

Ginger tea can also help lower cholesterol and prevent weight-related illness including heart disease. Ginger breaks down fats that can clog arteries and cause heart attacks. Ginger tea works by increasing the body's average temperature, increasing calorie burn. Ginger also helps to suppress appetite by activating happy hormones known as dopamine and norepinephrine. These two hormones make you feel full and satisfied so you don't overeat.

Drink Tea to Lose Weight Enjoyably

Drinking tea offers a host of health benefits from lowering blood sugar levels to preventing stress-induced weight gain. It's always best to use whole tea leaves to get the most out of these health benefits. Tea bags often contain smaller, broken bits of the leaves. That means there are fewer of the healthy compounds that help you lose fat or maintain a healthy weight.

Losing weight doesn't have to be a horrible experience. Drinking tea is a great way to make the process more enjoyable. Brew with hot water and consume either piping hot or refreshingly cold as an iced tea. Each of these weight loss teas offers unique flavor and aroma profiles so you can pick the ones that taste best to you. You'll stick to your weight loss regimen more easily when you enjoy the beverages you drink. Pour yourself a big teacup and sip to your health.