Ensuring better digestion and metabolism is crucial in your weight loss journey. Interestingly both these physiological factors could be achieved by following healthy and wise dietary choices daily. Apart from ensuring a low-carb diet bundled with high protein and fibre-rich food, experts point out that there are some additional dietary hacks. Some beverages like natural tea variants (without sugar and milk) would help to accelerate your weight loss results.
According to Dr Ganesh Shenoy, GI and Bariatric Surgery, Fortis Hospital in Bangalore, opting for natural drinks and healthy teas can aid weight loss when consumed regularly under the guidance of a health expert or dietitian.
According to Bharathi NR, head of the dietetics and nutrition department, at Manipal Hospital Sarjapur, incorporating natural ingredients in the form of healthy teas made at home can aid weight loss because most of these have anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting property that aids better digestion mechanism.
They point out certain ingredients that can be had in the form of tea instead of sugar and milk tea which make you gain calories.
1) Ginger tea
Dr Shenoy says ginger tea is known to aid digestion by reducing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and easing symptoms like indigestion and bloating. Ginger also helps suppress your appetite and is very beneficial for people with diabetes.
You can have ginger tea by simply boiling muddled or grated ginger in water. For additional benefits, you can also have ginger with green tea, lemon water or even with apple cider vinegar which is known to be effective in weight loss. “It helps to burn your fat and improve your body’s metabolic rate and strengthen the immune system,” says Bharathi. Having ginger tea also helps in the absorption of nutrients.
2) Turmeric tea
Turmeric is known as the golden spice and is commonly used to add flavor and vibrant color to Indian meals. It can also benefit people who want to lose the flab. Curcumin is the key compound in turmeric which has many benefits.
According to a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, natural polyphenols, including curcumin, can be an effective and safer alternative for managing obesity. It summarizes different mechanisms of anti-obesity action, associated with the enzymes, energy expenditure, adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, gut microbiota and anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin.
Turmeric tea may help manage inflammatory bowel conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). “Its anti-inflammatory properties may also alleviate symptoms like abdominal pain,” says Dr Shenoy.
Dietitian Bharathi explains turmeric has potent antioxidants and for health benefits, about 1000 to 1500mg of it can be used every day. “It not only helps in weight loss but is also known to reduce arthritis and inflammatory issues,” says Bharathi.
3) Peppermint tea
“Peppermint tea is a low-calorie beverage which also helps suppress unwanted hunger cravings and boosts digestion,” says Bharathi.
It helps in maintaining good gut health and burns fat. Hence, replacing milky tea with one or two cups of peppermint tea could aid in weight loss explains the dietitian.
“Peppermint can relax the muscles of the digestive tract, which may relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including abdominal cramps and gas,” adds Dr Shenoy.
4) Dandelion root tea
Dr Shenoy explains dandelion root has been traditionally used to stimulate digestion and may help alleviate mild digestive discomfort. “It can potentially aid in detoxification processes by supporting liver and gallbladder function,” he adds.
It is also known to have diuretic compounds that reduce water retention and could make you lose excess water weight.
5) Green tea
Dr Shenoy explains green tea’s antioxidants may help protect the gut lining from inflammation, which may benefit individuals with gastrointestinal issues and aid weight loss. “Its mild caffeine content might provide a gentle stimulant effect in digestion,” he explains.
While green tea is usually suitable for most individuals, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), IBS or other gastrointestinal issues should follow their gastroenterologist’s advice.
6) Lemon tea
“When you start drinking only lemon tea instead of milk tea it may help in temporary weight loss because toxins from the body get eliminated. However, for consistent weight loss you need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise,” says Bharathi. One lemon provides about 25mg to 30mg of vitamin C.
Lemon peel contains pectin, a soluble fiber that is good for gut health and weight loss. Lemon ginger tea is also considered to be beneficial for speeding up better metabolism and weight loss. The vitamin C content found in lemon may support the production of bile, which is also important for fat to get digested.
Takeaways
Consuming healthy teas prepared by brewing simple and natural ingredients instead of milk and sugar teas can help people lose weight.
Before consuming these teas one must consult a dietitian to ascertain the quantity they can consume according to their health condition.
