It’s about that time of year where we’re fed up of feeling the extra flab and ready to do something about it besides going to the gym. One of the most underrated methods of spiking our metabolism is through antioxidant rich teas. Some teas are actually more than 90% more effective at helping the body burn fat than coffee. While green tea has made most of the headlines in this regard, there are many others which are even more effective and go way beyond weight loss with the ability to detox, helptooth decay and even keep cancer at bay.
1) Star Anise Tea – Promotes Digestion
Star anise, the fruit of a small evergreen tree (Illicium verum) native to China, can be used in the treatment of digestive troubles such an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea etc. One may drink a tea made from it by steeping a whole pod in one cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain this and sweeten it if required. Sip on this slowly when an upset stomach occurs.
2) Porangaba tea – Assists In Fat Loss
The tea plant produces red fruit that resembles coffee beans. These plants grow in South America and are sold at most beach vendors in Brazil. Porangaba Tea is Brazil’s weight loss potion, containing caffeine, allantoin, allantoic acid and even potassium. It has been reported to aid in boosting weight loss, reducing appetite, acting as a diuretic and even reducing fatty deposits and cellulite. Porangaba also suppresses the appetite leading to less food intake minus the crash.The recommended dose is 1 tea bag 30 minutes sipping before every meal.
3) Peppermint Tea – Controls What You Eat
Peppermint tea speeds up digestion and thus helps you burn more calories. The peppermint leaves can be used to make a light, refreshing tea, which can be taken either hot or chilled. To prepare the tea, take a tablespoon of fresh or dried leaves and add them to boiling water and let it steep for four to five minutes. Strain and add honey, if needed.
4) White Tea – Stimulates Fat Burning
Made from the youngest leaves and buds, white tea is your best bet to reduce fluoride exposure compared to other teas. White tea has also been foundmore effective than green tea in fighting germs. White tea has an anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal effect. White teastops the generation of new fat cells and at the same time stimulates the burning of fat. White tea leaves can withstand longer infusion times than other tea types before pouring. It is usual to steep for 7 to 10 minutes.
5) Green Tea – Builds Metabolism
Research says the chemical EGCG found in green tea that speeds up the body’s metabolism, is responsible for helping people lose the kilos – it can burn a whopping 70 calories a day! According to 17 clinical trials,green tea is linked with significantly lower blood sugar. Green tea also raises the level of antioxidants. It’s believed the antioxidant catechins in green tea boost metabolism and helps burn fat. Caution is warranted on green tea as some sourcesappear to contain excessive levels of sodium fluoride, so try and stick to organic sources. Steeping time for the tea: two to three minutes at 85 Degrees Celsius.
6) Yerba Mate – Stimulates HDL (good) Cholesterol
In South America, Yerba Mate has been grown and taken medicinally for centuries.It’s also a cancer killer. Some of the most important antioxidant enzymes in the body are induced by mate. It is rich in polyphenols and displays high antioxidant activity. Mate tea drinkers experience a significant increase in the activity of an enzyme that promotes HDL (good) cholesterol which prevents fats from oxidizing. Mate is traditionally steeped and served in a hollow calabash gourd (itself called a mate) and drunk through a metal straw called abombilla. You can also make mate in a standard automatic coffee maker. Just put the mate where you would normally put the coffee grounds.
7) Rose Tea – Prevents Constipation
One of the oldest flavouring teas available, rose tea – made by mixing fresh roses and the bud of the tea – has a major therapeutic effect on the human body. Apart from clearing toxins and beautifying the skin, rose tea contains vitamins A, B3, C, D and E and is known to act against infections. It also prevents constipation and helps one lose weight. It is also possible to make rose petal tea using just fresh rose petals. Clean the petals under running water. Place 1 – 2 cups rose petals in a saucepan filled with 3 cups of water. Boil for five minutes, strain and pour.
8) Feiyan Tea– Detox, Suppress Appetite
Feiyan tea is an infusion prepared from medicinal plants which contain effective components for anti-Hyperlipemia and reducing fat accumulation. Regular intake of this tea helps improve your metabolism, reduces bloatedness, suppress your appetite, detoxify your body and gets rid of extra fat. The tea is considered to have no chemical additives and is safe for regular consumption with no known side effects. Soak 1 slimming tea bag in approx. 150ml of boiled water for 5-10min. Take 1 bag at night to begin with, after a week then use 1 tea bag in the morning and 1in the evening after meals. One month of administration has shown reductions of body weight up to 5-8 pounds, however steady weight gain after the first month is common once the body adapts.
9) Oolong Tea – Guards Against Obesity
Research reveals that oolong, a semi-fermented tea may have a stronger effect than even green tea, promoting fat burning up to 157% better.Oolong tea blocks oxidation by 50% in just 15 days. Research suggests that oolong tea increases metabolism, burns fat and blocks fat absorption.Besides weight loss, it is beneficial for type 2 diabetics, patients with heart diseases, reduces high blood pressure, prevents tooth decay and improves your skin thanks to antioxidants.Some research concluded that oolong reduces cholesterol and increases plasma adiponectin levels which saves you from the epidemic of obesity.Steep oolong tea anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes, for a more full-bodied cup.
10) Pu erh Tea – Increases Metabolism, Digestion
In China, this is known as medicinal tea, but it is apparently a good hangover cure as well. Pu erh tea increases metabolism, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, improve digestion and detoxifies the body.There are two ways to brew this pu erh tea: The Western way and the Chinese way. The Western method involves the same steps as brewing hibiscus tea. While the Chinese method of brewing involves several steps from rinsing the leaves with hot water to steeping the leaves in a particular temperature.
