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Herbal teas in the management of obesity – Part 2

By Paul Joseph Nanna
02 August 2018   |   3:14 am
This is one of the most effective teas for weight loss. Green tea is full of natural antioxidants known as catechins. These are polyphenols and the most effective is EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate).

Green tea
This is one of the most effective teas for weight loss. Green tea is full of natural antioxidants known as catechins.

These are polyphenols and the most effective is EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate).

It functions by boosting the metabolism and in particular it increases the rate at which fat is burnt in the liver.

By this action, Green tea is able to reduce the weight of the body.

Also, EGCG in combination with caffeine is an appetite suppressant.

This makes the individual to feel fuller and stop food cravings.

Green tea also lowers the blood cholesterol level and LDL (bad) cholesterol. It lowers the risk of heart disease.

2. Puerh tea
This tea is otherwise known as Pu-erh tea and is a fermented type of Chinese tea.

It has an earthy aroma, which increases, the longer the tea is stored.

Puerh tea has been shown by researchers to possess anti-obesity characteristics and apart from this, it can also lower blood sugar and triglycerides.

3. Black tea
Black tea is one of a group of original teas derived from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis.

Others are green, puerh, oolong and white teas.

Black tea is so named because of the processing method.

It is usually made to undergo more oxidation than any other tea when being processed.

It is high in its content of flavones and it is thought that its effect on weight loss is as a result of these flavones.

Flavones are plant pigments, which contain a lot of antioxidants.

4. Oolong tea
This is a type of Chinese tea, which has been partially oxidised.

Depending on the rate of oxidation, Oolong tea has been produced with a variety of flavour and a fruity, fragrant aroma.

Mode of action of Oolong tea is by speeding up the rate of metabolism and thereby increases the rate of burning fat in the body.

5. White tea
White tea is a product of young tea leaves, which have been minimally processed.

It has a subtle taste and is a bit sweeter than other teas.

Comparatively, White tea has almost the same quantity of catechins as Green tea.

It may therefore function as Green tea in weight control.

Not only that, while this tea increases the breakdown of fat cells, it prevents the formation of new ones.

Herbal teas
So far, we have looked at teas that are produced from the leaves of Camellia sinensis.

They are the true teas and they all have different levels of caffeine.

Green tea is thought to contain the least quantity of caffeine.

This is as a result of the way it is processed. Moving on, we will now be looking at the herbal teas.

These are not from the plant, Camellia sinensis, and so are all caffeine-free. They are infused or brewed from herbs, spices, or fruits with the use of hot water.

6. Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus prevents weight gain. While drinking an herbal tea, there is the tendency that one drinks more water.

This may give the feeling of satisfaction and makes one to eat less.

Other beverages such as “soft drinks,” sodas and juices come with a lot of calories.

Replacing these beverages with Hibiscus tea, will certainly reduce the calorie intake and by so doing, the weight of the body.

Hibiscus tea helps to normalise blood sugar and insulin levels in those with type 2 diabetes.

It helps the body to use sugar more efficiently. Obese individuals are more prone to diabetes than normal.

esearchers have discovered that Hibiscus tea helps the body to manage cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.

Furthermore, Hibiscus can help to detoxify the body by increased diuresis.

This helps to eliminate acids and toxins and as these are reduced, the need for fat cells for their storage is also reduced.

Not only that, the weight of the water eliminated by increased diuresis is also removed from the body.

This lowers the weight of the body and reduces bloating and swelling.

7. Rooibos tea
This tea is Native to South Africa and there it is known as redbush tea.

It is full of antioxidants and also caffeine-free. Rooibos tea is processed from a shrub known as Aspalathus linearis from the West coast of South Africa.

Antioxidants in Rooibos tea are quercetin, luteolin and Aspalathus and with these antioxidants this tea is able to balance blood sugar level and reduce insulin resistance.

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