Tea has been used for thousands of years for its health benefits. Depending on the herbs used, adding tea to your diet may help ease the symptoms of several conditions such as sleeplessness, colds and weight loss. Though there is no definitive dosing information for most teas, one to three cups a day is typically sufficient. Certain types of tea can increase metabolism, control appetite and reduce water weight. Check with a qualified health professional before beginning any diet.
Green Tea
The benefits of green tea in weight-loss programs is widely accepted among fitness and health professionals. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have shown that the compound called polyphenols in green tea may be responsible for its fat-burning effect. The most common variety of green tea, the type you typically find in the supermarket, is called gunpowder. The Health Guidance website reports that this type is the lowest grade and the least expensive to produce. Browse your local Asian market or health-food store for higher-quality green teas. Drinking three or four cups a day, along with a healthy diet, may be beneficial for losing weight.
Weight Loss Tea
Dharma Singh Khalsa, author of "Food as Medicine," says her recipe for weight loss tea has been used for hundreds of years and can promote weight loss, improve your skin and provide a source of Vitamin C. To make this tea, combine 1/4 to 1/3 cup mint leaves, dried or fresh; 2 cups of cumin seeds; 1 tablespoon of tamarind; 1/4 teaspoon of black salt; 4 sliced lemons; 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper; and 3 quarts of water. Bring all of the ingredients to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for up to two hours. Drink two or three cups a day as part of a low-calorie diet to help you lose weight.
Oolong Tea
The Oolong Tea website states that the polyphenols present in oolong tea may help metabolize fat cells in the body. Polyphenals contain a specific enzyme that effectively dissolves triglycerides. Along with a healthy diet low in fat, drinking one to two cups a day of oolong tea may prove beneficial to your weight-loss program.
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