There is no secret elixir for weight loss, but evidence suggests some beverages may enhance the fat-burning effects of a healthy lifestyle.
Tea leaves, for example, contain a unique set of antioxidants that help the body break down fats more quickly.
The caffeine in tea may also increase energy use and help ramp up calorie burn, with evidence suggesting it works closely with antioxidants to support weight loss.
To reap the weight loss benefits of the beverage, experts recommend an intake of three to four mugs per day.
Tea is packed with healthy compounds that support weight loss
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Speaking on behalf of the Tea Advisory Panel, Tim Bond explained: “Being active helps us stay trim and while most people have a good understanding that staying hydrated is important for sports and fitness, few of us are aware that tea has been found to have the same hydrating capabilities as water."
According to Bond, one review study by Dr Emma Derbyshire found that “tea contributes to energy levels, nutrient and polyphenol intakes too, which support weight loss as well as exercise needs”.
He added: “Tea also has gut health properties, again essential for weight management.
“Two studies have found clear changes in the makeup of the gut bacteria following regular tea drinking which help to support weight management.”
While trying to identify the reasons behind tea’s fat-busting potential, Dr Tim Bond and colleagues discovered that these effects are partly down to reducing people’s intake of more calorific drinks.
Tea, with or without milk, is a low-calorie beverage and a healthy alternative to soft drinks.
Another review of tea for sport and fitness found that drinking up to six mugs of regular ‘black tea’ a day provides similar levels of hydration to water in healthy males.
Breaking down the mechanisms at play, Dr Bond explained: “Tea’s rich polyphenol content contributes to its health benefits by stimulating far breakdown and inhibiting the formation of new fat cells, as well as through its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects.”
He continued: “It’s the flavonoid group of polyphenols that are considered to be key, with a little help from the L-theanine, an amino acid which has been linked to the ‘ahhh’ feeling we get from a cuppa.
“In fact, there is a large body of evidence suggesting that three to four cups of regular black tea a day (with or without milk) could help keep us healthy throughout life, including preventing us from piling on the pounds.
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Tea is packed with healthy compounds that support weight loss
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The expert added: “Drinking three cups of black tea a day for three months has been shown to significantly inhibit weight gain and reduce waist circumference when compared with drinking a control drink with the same amount of caffeine.
“What’s more, consuming 400 to 600 mg of flavan-3-ols - a type of flavonoid a day, has been found to support more heart health and healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
“Drinking just four cups of black tea a day achieves that target.
“So tea is an ideal drink for anyone looking to manage their weight and improve their health as summer approaches.”