Do Detox Teas Help You Lose Weight?

Experts say that detox teas are not as beneficial as promised and may even pose some health risks. There is no magic formula for weight loss, this also applies to teas like detox tea. It feels a little lighter at first as it loses excess water and digestive waste, but there is no evidence to support detox teas for significant, permanent weight loss. Detox products are classified as dietary supplements, which means their ingredients are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America. Some detox teas contain potent over-the-counter or over-the-counter laxatives with a number of harmful side effects. Potential health risks of detox teas include diarrhea, dehydration, dangerous electrolyte imbalances, and drug interactions. Experts also warn that there may be a link between the use of these weight loss supplements and mental health problems such as eating disorders.

What is Detox Tea Made of?

The ingredients found in detox tea affect the body in various ways. Below are examples of ingredients used in various tea combinations.

• Senna (senna), a medicinal herb with leaves and fruits, is approved in the USA as an over-the-counter drug for the short-term treatment of Constipation.
• Yerba mate is a caffeine-producing herb whose leaves are used as a stimulant.
• Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit used to control appetite and reduce fat storage in the body.
• Cassia chamaecrista (a type of senna) is a legume used for its laxative effect.
• Gotu kola is a member of the Apiaceae family and has many medicinal uses, including wound healing.

The Weight Loss Fiasco

Although detoxification for weight loss is defined in different ways, it usually involves fasting for a few days, as well as clearing toxins from the body in various ways. Research focusing on detox teas for weight loss is difficult to do. The evidence is very limited to support the fact that a tea can actually lead to serious weight loss. Nutritionists define significant weight loss as shedding at least 5% of the initial body weight, and no tea has yet been found that can do this.

The Body Can Purify Itself

The idea of ​​getting rid of foreign, toxic substances in the body may be tempting. The truth is that the body can do this job on its own. Some detox teas focus on weight loss, while others focus on removing toxins from the body. Some teas contain ingredients that claim to support liver health, yet detox products are unnecessary, according to nutritionists. The liver, lungs, digestive system and kidneys do an excellent job of detoxing the body on its own, so a tea aid is not needed. There are safe and gradual ways of getting rid of waste products without disturbing the delicate fluid and electrolyte balances that can occur with detox teas and diuretic effects. The use of diuretics can lead to very low sodium and potassium levels in the blood. Electrolyte imbalances can cause headaches, dizziness, and muscle cramps, as well as more serious problems such as an irregular heartbeat.

Detox Teas Can Be Risky

While detox ingredients are natural, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are harmless. Detox teas can be partially safe or risky for health, depending on what type is chosen and how much is drunk. Some are quite harmless and some can be harmful. Some teas that are harmless contain herbs or other ingredients that have a diuretic or laxative effect. These effects make people believe they are on the way to significant weight loss. For example, some detox teas contain dandelion root. This substance is quite safe. It may increase the amount of people urinating a little more, but this does not make the person lose weight. Senna plant, on the other hand, is stronger. Senna can have a number of side effects. It has a laxative effect and some people experience things like abdominal pain and diarrhea. If taken too much, it can cause electrolyte imbalances that can lead to things like muscle spasms and abnormal heart rhythms.

The products in the content of detox teas can make people feel lighter because more water is thrown out or wastes from the digestive system are a little faster, but these effects are temporary and do not really lose weight. When people say they want to lose weight, they are mostly talking about body fat, and these teas cannot help with fat loss. Detox teas can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications as well as other dietary supplements that can be taken, potentially dulling or enhancing the intended effects of a drug. Those considering trying any detox tea should speak to a doctor and pharmacist first.

Misleading Marketing

According to experts, consumers are exposed to misleading marketing of dietary supplements for weight loss, including products such as detox teas. Experts say these products are misleading and in fact laxatives can be very dangerous. Consumers can assume that dietary supplements are safe because they are easy to find. Most people are unaware that these products were not pre-screened for safety or efficacy before being placed on the market. According to experts in eating disorders, our culture is weight-obsessed, and beyond health or mental health assessment, it encourages people, especially girls and young women, to take risks for their own health and well-being. Unrestricted access for children is another concern. Even a 12-year-old can go to any pharmacy or grocery store and buy these products sold as detox teas.

Slimming Supplements and Health Risks

Extensive research has been conducted on the harms associated with the use of dietary supplements for detox and weight loss. In one study, research teams evaluated data on nearly 1,000 serious side effects reported to the FDA, related to single dietary supplements in teenagers up to the age of 25. Over 11 years, serious medical events, including death, disability, life-threatening problems, hospitalization or admission to the emergency room, weight loss compared to serious events related to vitamin supplements, according to research published in October 2019 in a medical journal called Adolescent Health (JAH). loss and is almost three times more likely for similar supplements. Recent research shows that young women are at an increased risk of diagnosing an eating disorder within three years after using over-the-counter diet pills or laxatives. The study was included in the January 2020 issue of the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH).

You Should Not Be Attracted Easily

It is not really surprising that many consumers are willing to pay for products such as detox teas, but their long-term effects can be negative and consumers may blame themselves and wonder what they are doing wrong when these teas do not see their promised effects. Experts say it’s easy to be tempted by deceptive advertisements. It should also be noted that the slim-looking celebrities used in advertisements to personal trainers and private cooks can have advantages far beyond what many people have. This means that when a celebrity is seen promoting a tea or similar product, claiming to be beneficial, it is natural to assume that the product is responsible for how that person looks, it is completely forgotten that it is a combination of genetics, diet and exercise. When people are directed to use detox teas that are claimed to be impressive, it is important to consider what factors may contribute to the fine structure and think critically before purchasing.