Do Weight Loss Teas Work?

Weight loss teas promise a quick and effortless way to lose body weight and trim excess fat. These products often use promotional words such as "low-calorie," "trim" or "diet" on the packaging, but they do not aid healthy or long-term weight loss. If you want to lose weight, the safest way to do so is under the guidance of a nutritionist or your doctor.

Herbal Teas Vs. Weight Loss Teas

Herbal teas differ from normal tea in many ways. Normal tea -- such as the white, green, black and oolong varieties -- contain caffeine and are products of the camellia sinensis plant. Herbal teas are derived from other plants and usually contain no caffeine. Diet teas, dieter's teas or weight loss teas are normally herbal teas that contain laxatives such as senna, buckthorn and castor oil. Though these ingredients are natural and plant-derived, they can be detrimental to your health if you consume weight-loss teas regularly or in excess.

Weight Loss Teas as Laxatives

The laxative properties of weight loss teas relieve constipation and make stools loose and watery. Though this can cause a temporary reduction in body weight due to fluid loss, there is no long-term weight loss or reduction in body fat, says Paula Kurtzweil of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In fact, consumption of weight loss teas can be severely detrimental to your health if you are already on a restricted diet.

Appeal of Weight-Loss Teas

The low-cost, ease-of-use and taste of weight-loss teas often make them a more attractive option as compared to other laxatives. People who suffer from eating disorders, such as anorexia, may find weight-loss teas an easy option. The common belief is that the diarrhea that follows consumption of weight loss teas is beneficial for weight loss. However, according to the FDA, laxatives work in the colon and do not affect calorie absorption, which takes place in the small intestine.

Common Claims from Manufacturers

Appetite suppression, increased metabolism and weight loss are some routine advertising ploys manufacturers use to sell weight-loss teas. There is no sound scientific evidence behind these claims. The caffeine found in some brands of weight loss teas does little to enhance metabolism. Elements such as agar, psyllium and glucomannan expand in the presence of water and diet tea companies often claim that they can suppress appetite. However, according to the Health Services Department at Columbia University, the laxative effect of these agents is more pronounced than any appetite suppression.

Adverse Health Effects

Regular consumption or misuse of weight-loss teas can have severe side effects, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea and nausea. Severe reactions, such as dehydration, fainting and electrolyte disorders, can be fatal and are possible in people who drink weight-loss teas when they are dieting. Long-term use of weight loss teas can damage and weaken the intestinal muscles. Your intestinal tract may stop working in the absence of laxatives and this can cause chronic, painful constipation. To prevent such problems, it is best to avoid dependence on weight-loss teas and to devise a healthy diet and exercise routine to lose weight.