Many people believe that "weight loss tea" is a shortcut to shedding pounds, but the truth might disappoint you—weight loss tea itself does not directly burn fat. Its effects largely come from replacing high-calorie beverages or having a mild laxative effect. For healthy weight loss, the key lies in a balanced diet, regular exercise, and body composition management.
Weight loss tea typically contains caffeine, dietary fiber, or mild laxative ingredients (such as senna leaves), which can slightly boost metabolism. Since tea is sugar-free, it is a better choice for weight loss compared to other sugary drinks.
Weight Loss & Relaxation
When aiming to lose weight, replacing sugary beverages with various teas such as green tea, oolong tea, black tea, or pu-erh tea is still recommended. (Source: Elements Envato)
However, relying solely on weight loss tea for weight reduction is not scientific. If diet is uncontrolled and no exercise is undertaken, the effects of weight loss tea are limited.
The core principle of weight loss is a calorie deficit. True weight loss requires consuming fewer calories than expended, which can be achieved through a balanced diet.
Avoiding extreme dieting can prevent weight rebound.
The Counterproductive Effects of Laxative Ingredients
Combining aerobic and anaerobic exercises with sufficient protein intake helps increase muscle mass and reduce body fat. Individuals with higher muscle mass have a higher basal metabolic rate and a more toned physique.
A common misconception is focusing solely on weight numbers while neglecting body fat percentage (e.g., "skinny fat": normal BMI but excessive body fat).
Healthy body composition standards are:
Women: Body fat ≤31%, Waist circumference <80cm
Men: Body fat ≤24%, Waist circumference <90cm
Excess visceral fat (a hard belly) increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The potential risks of weight loss tea include long-term reliance on laxative ingredients, which may disrupt intestinal function and lead to constipation or electrolyte imbalances.
Additionally, reducing food intake while only drinking tea may result in malnutrition. Caffeine can cause palpitations and insomnia, negatively affecting exercise performance and fat-burning efficiency.
When aiming to lose weight, replacing sugary beverages with various teas such as green tea, oolong tea, black tea, or pu-erh tea is still recommended.
Ensure Adequate Protein Intake
Ensure a daily protein intake of 0.8–1g per kilogram of body weight (e.g., if you weigh 60kg, aim for 20g of protein per meal across three meals daily).
Additionally, combine aerobic and strength training: aim for 150 minutes of moderate-to-high-intensity exercise per week (such as brisk walking or squats). Measuring body fat and weight every two weeks provides a more accurate assessment than relying solely on BMI.
In summary, weight loss tea is not magic. While it might lead to short-term weight loss, without dietary control and exercise, its effects are difficult to sustain.
True healthy weight loss requires: balanced nutrition + regular exercise + long-term consistency.
Rather than seeking quick fixes like weight loss tea, focus on building a sustainable lifestyle—this is the fundamental path to maintaining an ideal physique and staying free from chronic diseases.
Original Article From Nanyang Daily: https://www.enanyang.my/news/20250713/Supplement/922987
Auther: Edward (Founder of Ingrelicious and Diet Clinic)
Personalized nutrition therapy for chronic conditions. Learn healthy eating with Malaysian flavors through Diet Clinic & Ingrelicious programs.
Posted by INGRELICIOUS NUTRITION CONSULTANCY on 1 Dec 25
Malaysia