Weight loss diets come in many shapes and forms. Of recent there has been a growing trend in drinking slimming or detox teas in a bid to lose weight. From celebrities to social media influencers, many boast about the product for achieving weight loss results. But does it really work? And should slimmers beware of the cons of relying on this weight loss method. Generally, teas are a generally healthy beverage, especially herbal teas like green tea, which have been proven to aid weight loss. Green tea has chemicals that can boost weight loss. These chemicals are called catechins and they appear to increase the amount of fat burned during exercise. However, when it comes to detox teas, there aren’t actually any clinical studies proving they’re a good tool for weight loss.
Most detox teas are sold with instructions for diet and exercise during what could be a “cleansing” period of a week or more. These instructions may recommend healthy eating, or eating very little.
Often, companies selling detox teas and other products recommend vigorous exercise, which they claim may help expel toxins from the body.
Eating more healththily, or eating very little, in addition to more exercise may result in weight loss.
Therefore, losing weight while drinking detox teas may not be a result of the tea but because you’re dieters are actually reducing their calorie intake and increasing their caloric output.
Leading nutritionist Lily Soutter spoke to Express.co.uk about the truth behind detox or slimming teas, warning dieters to beware of such teas.
Lily is a London nutritionist, who specialises in workplace wellness and the tools needed to make practical, sustainable and positive dietary changes regardless of a busy schedule. She has frequently appeared on ITV’s This Morning with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
She said: “Teas for weight loss and ‘flat tummies’ have been highly endorsed by celebrities and have become a hugely popular rage. This range of herbal teas claim to boost metabolism, cleanse your digestive tract and reduce bloating. What’s more many of these companies rely on influencers to preach the message that their tea will leave you with a flat tummy just like theirs.”
Lily revealed that most teas contain an ingredient called Senna.
Senna acts as an ingredient and could be the reason behind weight loss, however, it can also lead to other serious health issues.
She continued: “Not only is there no conclusive evidence to back up these health claims, a common ingredient called senna is used within the teas and acts as a laxative.
“Senna can irritate the stomach lining and can cause cramps and diarrhoea. For those suffering with IBS, senna can only exasperate symptoms. If these teas are consumed in large quantities they may even lead to a disruption with the body’s electrolyte balance which may can cause heart problems in the long run.”
She added:“In reality, all senna increase bowel movements which may leave people feeling slimmer and having a flatter stomach in the short term, but there is absolutely no impact on fat loss.”
Lily advised slimmers to stick to a varies diet instead, saying: “By following a healthy balanced diet, and increasing exercise can put us into a calorie deficit which will is key for weight loss.”
Some dieters may opt for a more structured plan to lose weight.
One man recently lost a stone on a low-carb diet and managed to get a six-pack in the process.
Meanwhile others may choose to transform their lifestyle, similar to Lorraine Kelly who dropped two dress sizes by exercising more.