Photo by G.Russell
In keeping with the new obsession of weight loss, the market is flooded with products that claim to help you lose weight and create a healthier lifestyle. Tea has been one of the products that can be found in all sorts of forms: a pill, a powder, as an additive to another pill or powder…when really, any tea is good for you and yes, can help in aiding weight loss. But in a different way.
Photo by Kanko
To put it bluntly, any type of tea is good for you. There are big debates over whether or not certain teas are “caffeine vs. caffeine-free,” “herbal vs. black,” “plain vs. sweetened ,” and it leads to unnecessary arguments over one of the most simple drinks out there. By nature, tea has many redeeming qualities. When enjoyed regularly, it can aid in your natural digestion of food, and ultimately, weight loss.
1. Tea is still water. Increasing the intake of water has been the old adage for beginning any new weight loss regimen. Most weight gain is caused by water retention and inflamed muscles, which is why when put on a high liquid diet, the first drop in weight is the loss of water within muscles. By increasing the intake of liquids, the cells in the body are forced to relieve the water contained in the muscle in order to make way for the fresh water coming in. By constantly rehydrating the body, there is little chance of retaining water and therefore you are able to lose the first couple of pounds almost effortlessly (except having to make extra trips to the bathroom).
2. Naturally occurring antioxidants. Tea contains the antioxidant polyphenol, which has been found to counter inflammation and even prevent certain types of cancer. It also prevents tooth decay and aids in the regeneration of cell growth. It is no wonder that China and Japan, the countries with the highest intake of tea, has the lowest rate of cancer. By healing inflammation and encouraging the regeneration of cell growth, the muscles in your body can work harder and longer while replacing old cells with new ones. This is especially beneficial for repairing muscles after working out and keeping skin looking refreshed and smooth (so long wrinkles!)
3. Tea helps you digest better. Tea is a natural astringent for your digestive system, meaning that it helps the enzymes in your intestines break down the food you are eating. Which is why tea is usually recommended for those suffering from stomachaches and diarrhea. When drunk on a regular basis, tea can help you regulate your digestion. Drinking a cup of tea twice a day can be effective in warding off that midday slump and the infamous food coma.
So does tea REALLY help you lose weight?
Not in the way you think. There is no hard evidence that shows that tea actually burns calories. Nothing but exercise can do that. Now if you are going to get one of those teas “designed to help you lose weight,” who knows what may happen. And if your version of tea is one of those delicious concoctions served at the counter of Starbucks, I can’t really say everything still holds true (example here – 80 calories and 21g of carbs?) But as with all things, tea is a great supplement to a healthy lifestyle and can help you stay fit. By hydrating yourself regularly and getting your daily dose of antioxidants, tea can make you feel better and even help you lose some water weight. And when we feel better, we are more willing to make it stay that way.
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The kit is available as both capsules and alcohol tinctures. Zack Herbs