The best tea for fat loss is the one that's not sprinkled with sugar, so yes, don't think for once that you can get away with drinking sweet tea! Drinking tea may promote weight loss or weight maintenance as it fills the void of high sugar and calorie-rich beverages.
So, if you were expecting magic tea for your weight loss woes, none of that exists. Sorry to disappoint, but that's the truth.
That being said, certain varieties of tea contain compounds that give them an even greater boost in fat-burning. Here are five delicious types of tea to try:
Green Tea
One study found that when participants consumed tea that was super-rich in catechins twice a day, they had a reduction in belly fat after 90 days, an overall drop of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 2.6 pounds in body weight, and another broad analysis of the studies concluded that the green tea combination of EGCG and caffeine has a beneficial impact on weight loss and weight management.
Black Tea
Black tea is actually produced from the same plant as green tea-the distinction is that the leaves are exposed to the air to induce fermentation. One study found that over three months, those who consumed three cups of black tea a day had lower weight gain and decreased waist circumference relative to those who drank a coffee beverage that was free of flavonoids in tea. Try some delicious black variety, such as English breakfast or Earl Grey.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea stimulates thermogenesis (so that the body produces heat from energy, burning more calories) and suppresses the production of new fat cells. A small study showed that for two hours after consuming oolong tea, women found a 10% rise in their resting energy consumption, although the metabolism bump was just 4 percent after drinking green tea.
White Tea
White tea is one of the least processed varieties-the leaves of the tea plant are harvested until they are completely opened and then dried easily, stopping them from oxidizing. This method gives the tea an incredibly delicate taste that is nevertheless filled with fat-burning polyphenols.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos is an herb cultivated in South Africa that can be brewed into a sweet cup of tea. Animal studies have shown that rooibos tea can help with fat burning, but further testing is needed to validate the effect on humans. Either way, it's a colorful and pleasant addition to your tea caddy.
