So, what kind of tea helps you lose weight?

Actually there are many types of tea that can help with weight loss. Green, tea, Oolong, Pu'erh and Yerba Mate to name just a few.

However, not all teas are created equal. Due to the varying levels of organic compounds in different brews, some are more effective than others at boosting energy and burning fat.

Here we will look at some of the most common teas drunk around the world today. We will consider their benefits, separate fact from fiction, and answer all your questions about what kind of tea helps you lose weight.

What is Yerba Mate Tea?

Yerba mate is not really a tea as such, in as much as it doesn't come from the Camellia sinensis plant.

It is actually brewed from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, a plant native to South America which is in the same family as the holly tree. This is the drink of choice in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. People in these countries drink far more Yerba Mate than they do tea or coffee.

Yerba Mate is drunk throughout the day using a traditional cup made from a gourd with a metal straw, this is known as a “bombilla”. Tea bags or loose leaf steeped with a strainer is more common in North America. An abundance of different methods, hot or cold in which this drink can be consumed.

Yerba Mate contains a whole host of vital nutrients including vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3 and B5 and the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.

Additionally, it works as an antioxidant, protecting your body against harmful chemicals which can cause disease.

Yerba Mate contains a form of caffeine called mateine. When brewed it is somewhere between black tea and coffee in strength.

Yerba Mate provides a smoother stimulant effect than coffee, and is less addictive. It improves focus, concentration and mental clarity among a whole host of other benefits including weight loss.

It aids weight loss by giving you more energy to work out for longer and be more active throughout the day.

But that's not all!

Yerba Mate not only has the action of effectively burning calories and fat, it also has some special and unique properties to help you to lose, and keep off the pounds.

Firstly, Yerba Mate suppresses appetite, so if you drink this tea, you'll feel like eating less. It also slows down the rate at which your stomach empties, meaning that you feel fuller for longer after a meal and will be less tempted to snack.

Although Yerba Mate is a stimulant, it doesn't cause jitters or anxiety as some other caffeinated drinks can. In fact, it can actually make you feel more relaxed, which is great if you're someone who is prone to overeating when stressed.

Finally, Yerba Mate has a slight diuretic and laxative action meaning that you will go to the toilet more often. This may not sound like a good thing, but if you're feeling puffy and bloated, then getting rid of the excess water from your system can immediately make you seem slimmer.

Other Common Weight Loss Teas

 Green Tea

Green tea is made from the unprepared leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. Green tea has many beneficial properties, including being useful as an aid to weight loss.

Many people believe that green tea does not contain any caffeine. This is not actually true, although it does contain far less caffeine than coffee or black tea.

As well as caffeine, green tea also contains compounds which speed up your metabolism and the rate at which fat is broken down by your body. It can also suppress your appetite so you eat less.

The best time to drink green tea is one to one and a half hours after a meal. This is because green tea may irritate an empty stomach, but drinking it too soon afterwards may stop you from absorbing some of the nutrients from your food. As with all teas, you should avoid drinking it in the evenings as the caffeine could interfere with you getting a good night's sleep, which is also a key piece in the weight loss puzzle.

As with all teas, you should avoid drinking it in the evenings as the caffeine could interfere with you getting a good night's sleep, which is also a key piece in the weight loss puzzle.

Oolong Tea

Oolong is another tea which can help weight loss. Oolong is a partially processed tea, somewhere between green and black tea.

As you might expect, the caffeine level of oolong tea is also between that of green and black tea.

This means that it has a slightly stronger stimulant effect when compared with green tea.

As well as sharing the weight loss benefits provided by green tea, oolong has another very special property of its own.

Oolong can actually block the absorption of fat from food. It is therefore best drunk alongside your meals, especially if you're eating something particularly greasy or fatty.

 Pu'erh Tea

Pu'erh tea is usually fermented, giving it its dark color and earthy taste.

Like green tea and oolong tea, it aids weight loss by speeding up the metabolism and breaking down fat cells within the body.

This tea is considered warming in nature and therefore if drunk incorrectly it can actually increase your appetite. Not what you want when you're watching your waistline! It should only be drunk after meals, when your stomach is full. This helps to improve digestion and increases its fat burning properties.

So if you have been wondering what kind of tea helps you lose weight, then look no further. The teas listed in this article not only aid weight loss, but are also packed with compounds vital to your health and well being.

So what are you waiting for? Go and put the kettle on!

Green Teas That Help You Lose Weight

What kind of tea helps you lose weight?

An alarming number of adults are overweight in our modern society and a growing number of children are following suit. There are many reasons people try to lose weight; however, enhanced health seems to be the main goal. Weight loss is not the easiest endeavor and many individuals find it nearly impossible. The internet provides millions of tips and hints, but no exact combination works for all people and the abundance of information is conflicting and confusing. So, what kind of tea helps you lose weight? Many people have found success by implementing green teas into their meal plans. The first step is to understand the concept of weight loss which should more appropriately be renamed weight management. It is important to perceive this as maintaining weight to achieve the best possible overall health. It is also vital that health conscious individuals realize that no fly by night fad is going to work completely and/or permanently. Weight management should be a lifelong goal and it requires determination as well as patients with one’s self.  It should be noted that no tea alone is going to make anyone the next overnight modeling sensation. There are several effective methods of using specific ingredients for tea to get the journey started and keep pace along the way. Remember a few key factors.           -  The actual definition of the word diet is that which is consumed by an individual or community on a regular basis.          -  A meal plan can be improved simply by adding fresh organic ingredients while removing at least some of the junk, especially those that are highly processed.           -  The nutritional content of the foods in a meal plan are essential and should never be overlooked or neglected.            - It is not necessary to spend a fortune on a gym membership or dedicate every waking hour to weight lifting. Exercise only requires movement which can be accomplished a couple times a week in the form of a walk through the park; playing tag in the yard with the kids; and or going for a hike in the mountains.

Green Tea

Actual Green tea seems to be a bit famous. Most everyone has heard of it as well as at least tried it once. It is touted to help melt fat, boost the immune system, and battle cancer cells. The caffeine and theanine present in green tea are said to be the main players. One efficient method of losing weight is to speed up the metabolic rate to burn more calories in a shorter period. Both properties in Green tea can assist the body in doing just that. About two or three cups of organic Green tea per day usually does the trick. This regimen should be accompanied by a sound, not necessarily strict, diet plan and a certain amount of exercise.  

Matcha Green Tea

Most experts believe that Matcha Green tea is the best source, particularly for health goals.  Two aspects make it number one in their holistic books. First it is allowed only shade for the three weeks prior to harvest. This shaded period intensifies the plant’s production of important properties for metabolic stimulation. Second, during processing the veins and stems are removed completely. The pure leaves are then ground into a powder; however, this form of green tea is not generally steeped in hot water. It is commonly incorporated into a liquid beverage such as milk or water.

Science at a Glance

Most individuals are familiar with caffeine and its stimulating effects on metabolism. Not quite as many know about theanine. It is classified as an amino acid which has been discovered to possess amazing powers. Scientific studies from the Central Research Institute in Japan Shizuoka have revealed that it can aid in the prevention of the flu (1). Investigations conducted by Stratum Nutrition in St. Charles Missouri have shown that theanine can be used in fight against various forms of carcinoma (2). Research from the Department of Nutrition and Food Science-Nutritional Physiology at the University of Bonn in Germany demonstrated that this little amino acid can enhance cognition; elevate mood; and stimulate metabolism (3).   Many types of green teas are considered what the scientific community calls thermogenic ingredients. The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences report that these plant teas can assist in weight management; regulate lipolysis, or the breakdown of fat; and balance energy levels (4).

 Yerba Mate

Green teas of all types have been used for thousands of years in Asian medicine and philosophy. They are now consumed all over the world for pleasure as well as for many medicinal purposes. Yerba Mate is another popular tea utilized across the world to lose weight. It is obtained from a shrub which is indigenous to South America.    There is great debate among consumers about whether Green tea or Yerba Mate is most effective for losing weight, while others incorporate both into their menus. One property in Yerba Mate, referred to as mateine, also spurs the metabolism producing similar thermogenic effects as those from Green tea.   

Mint Tea

Peppermint tea can be added to either of those mentioned earlier and provides several health benefits to boot. Mint teas are also delicious alone or with a touch of honey. Peppermint, and other types of mint, offer a digestive aid; can quell a queasy stomach; and reduce constipation incidence. The properties in these plants have been shown to reduce anxiety; diminish stress, and decrease cortisol levels. These actions within the body are extremely helpful for healthy weight management. While considering what kind of tea helps you lose weight, remember that there is no miracle ingredient which will cause all fat to melt overnight. There are food items which make weight management easier. Proper nutrition is vital to these endeavors as well. Without adequate nutrition, hydration, and exercise it is not possible to maintain a healthy weight. There are many wonderful tasting green teas to utilize as tools along any health journey.  

Best Way to Use Tea as a Weight Loss Aid

If you are like 158 million other tea-drinking  Americans, you may be trying to decide what kind of tea helps you lose weight. With over 3,000 varieties of tea, how can you tell which one is most effective? Fortunately, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest, and that is green tea. Although all tea comes from the same plant (Camellia sinensis) and has antioxidants in some amount, that does not mean all teas are created equal. Black tea is the most popular tea, but for weight loss, green tea far outshines black. That is because black tea leaves are fermented and cured, breaking down most of its active components, whereas green tea leaves are only lightly steamed after harvesting. Now that you know what kind of tea helps you lose weight, how about some excellent ways to use green tea? Here are eleven.

Drink Matcha tea

Green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder are known as Matcha tea. Mixing these ground tea leaves in water produces a tea that is full of more antioxidants that other green teas.

Make it your morning brew

Many people feel the need for a caffeine boost in the morning. Green tea contains caffeine, but better than that, it boosts your metabolism and suppresses your appetite. Since it contains less caffeine than coffee, you can drink it more frequently without the jitters.

What’s your flavor?

You can use flavored green tea for variety if you like. Unless the flavored tea contains sugar (which would cancel out the weight loss benefits), try pomegranate, apple, or cranberry to your cup for a different flavor. But let the flavoring come from the tea and not additives like milk and sugar or honey.

Brew it gently

You don’t want your brewed green tea to lose its weight loss properties, so you’ll need to use a bit more care in brewing it. Bring your water to a boil, but then wait for about ten minutes before pouring it over the tea leaves. Let it brew for about a minute, and then serve.

Load up on antioxidants and boost metabolism

One of the ways green tea really shines is in the large amount and variety of antioxidants (called catechins). Most important in weight loss is the substance called EGCG (Epigallocatechin galiate), because it can boost metabolism. A higher metabolism leads to greater weight loss. EGCG also can help impedes an enzyme that interferes with the hormone norepinephrine, which the nervous system uses to tell fat cells to break down fat.

Increase fat burning during exercise and at rest

Almost all fat reducing supplements include some form of green tea. That’s because green tea increases the burning of fat, during exercise and while at rest, at a rate of 3-4% more calories burned. Some studies show the rate to be as much as 8% more calories burned.

Automatically eat less

Because green tea is an appetite suppressant, it may help you eat less. Some people report that drinking green tea before a meal makes them less hungry, so they automatically eat fewer calories.  

Lose that belly fat

Not all fat is created equal. The subcutaneous fat accumulates under the skin, but the dangerous visceral fat lodges around organs and in your abdomen. This is the kind of fat that leads to inflammation and insulin resistance, and ultimately can cause diseases like diabetes. Green tea helps break down that harmful belly fat and can lead to a longer, healthier life.

Mix it in a smoothie

You probably already know that drinking smoothies instead of eating a meal can help you lose weight and keep it off. But did you know using green tea as a base for that smoothie actually helps you lose even more weight? All the weight-loss properties of green tea transfer wonderfully to these antioxidant-rich drinks.

Drink early, drink often

Have a cup of green tea when you arise in the morning, at least 30 minutes before breakfast. Drinking green tea on an empty stomach allows the optimal use of EGCG, as it is best absorbed that way. And then drink it often during the day, up to 5 cups a day, say scientists. Remember, though, if you are drinking iced green tea, that iced tea is more diluted. That means you get less of the good stuff per cup of tea, and consume more to get the most benefit.

Make it a lifestyle

Although drinking green tea will not make you lose weight alone, making it part of a healthy lifestyle will. Coupling four to five cups of green tea per day with a half-hour workout results in greater weight loss than just exercise alone. In fact, not only do tea drinkers lose more weight, but they also have fewer markers of cell destruction after a workout if they consumed green tea beforehand. That’s a good reason to precede your daily workout with a cup of tea.

The bottom line

Now that you’ve discovered what kind of tea helps you lose weight, let’s look at the bottom line benefits of green tea. Packed with nutrients that aid your body, green tea provides energy, boosts immunity, and melts away pounds, especially those that accumulate around your belly. Scientific studies show proof that green tea is beneficial in many ways, not only to help you lose weight, but to keep it off when you do.

Face Off: Yerba Mate Tea Vs. Green Tea

Yerba Mate tea and green tea both have amazing health benefits. These include heart health, diabetes control, cholesterol benefits and more. Both teas are antioxidant rich, anti-ageing and cancer preventing. You may also be curious as to what kind of tea helps you lose weight. Both teas are actually excellent for weight loss. They are both very nutritious and each has unique advantages.

Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate tea is only recently becoming popular in the west. It is made in South America from the dried leaves of the native plant ilex paraguariensis. Although it contains caffeine, it also contains antioxidants, polyphenols and many minerals and vitamins. Yerba mate is very common in South America, and is the official national drink of Argentina. It has the same social implications in Argentina as coffee does in the west. With 90% more antioxidants that green tea, Yerba Mate tea is anti-aging, detoxifies the blood and prevents cancer. Yerba mate tea is known for its ability to help you focus without the side effects of caffeine. It is a balanced energy boost. You do not get caffeine jitters when you drink Yerba Mate. It enhances physical stamina. You will have more energy and burn more calories. It helps you recover more quickly from exercise. Yerba mate tea is beneficial for chronic fatigue syndrome and general tiredness. It enhances memory, mood and alertness. Motivation and productivity is stimulated by producing dopamine. It is great for the heart as it prevents blood clots that may cause a heart attack or stroke. Yerba mate contains most nutrients needed to sustain life. It contains 11 polyphenols and more antioxidants than any other tea. Yerba mate is an excellent tonic for the nerves. Yerba mate contains natural emulsifiers that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can boost the immune system. Yerba mate can build strong bones. The best and healthiest way to drink yerba mate is from a tea bag or from tea leaves. Yerba mate is not suitable for those who are sensitive to excess caffeine, and due to the caffeine content is not recommended if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have anxiety. It can act as a laxative. Combined with smoking or heavy alcohol use, yerba mate can increase the risk for certain cancers. Drugs used to treat cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression or asthma should not be mixed with yerba mate. It is dangerous to drink it at very hot temperatures. Yerba mate rarely causes caffeine jitters or insomnia. It is a great alternative to coffee.

Green Tea

Green tea is native to China and India. It has been known for its health benefits for centuries. Green tea lowers blood pressure and prevents cancer. The processing of green tea avoids the fermenting process that occurs when black tea is processed. The only other tea that is less processed is white tea. Green tea is great for diabetes, helping to regulate glucose levels. It is excellent for the heart, working on blood vessels and helping them to stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots which are the primary cause of heart attacks. Green tea is widely thought to kill cancer cells. The skin benefits from drinking the tea include anti-ageing, as well as assisting with skin conditions such as psoriasis, inflammatory skins disorders, and even dandruff. Green tea has been used in traditional Chinese as well as Indian medicines to aid digestion, improve mental health and regulate body temperature. It is also very good for weight loss. The memory is improved by drinking green tea and it can even assist with disorders such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s. A natural cancer-fighting agent, green tea has been shown to decrease tumor growth and has shown a positive impact on breast, ovarian, lunch, prostate, skin and stomach cancers. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood. Studies show that green tea protects brain cells from dying and restores damaged brain cells. It is anti-ageing. Green tea can kill bacteria, which improves dental health and lowers your risk of infections. It promotes long life.

What Kind of Tea Helps You Lose Weight?

Yerba mate contains saponins and caffeoylquinic acids which help immensely with both inflammation and weight loss.  You can drink up to 10 cups per day of green tea. Yerba mate on the other hand, should not be drunk in excess. Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline work together in both Yerba mate and green tea to provide unique mild stimulant effects. Yerba mate produces no crash as in coffee and is non-addictive. Yerba mate contains a high concentration of chlorogenic acid, which is not contained in green tea. This assists with reducing and attacking cancer cells, lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, diabetes, a healthy heart and destroying bad bacteria. So of the two teas, which kind of tea helps you lose weight?  Although both teas will help you to lose weight, Yerba mate actually has many more weight reducing chemicals than green tea.

Choosing a tea

As you can see, both green tea and Yerba mate tea are extremely nutritious. You really need to take all the side effects, nutritional benefits, and of course the taste, into consideration to discover which is the best tea for you!  

How to Brew GREEN Teas That Will Help With Weight Loss

Herbal teas are everywhere, and for good reason – they are packed full of nutrition and flavor. Everyone knows that teas are good for us. But do you know what kind of tea helps you lose weight? Here are a few of the top contenders for safe and effective weight loss.

Green Tea

Most people think green tea is horribly bitter, but in fact this is only true if it's made incorrectly. When brewed properly, green tea has a subtle taste – often earthy, with a balance of sweetness and only a touch of bitter. When thinking about what kind of tea helps you lose weight, green tea is often the first one that comes to mind. And for good reason! Green tea has numerous mechanisms for boosting health and aiding in weight loss. They include: - Increased thermogenesis – green tea boosts metabolism, so you burn more energy at rest than you would usually, leading to weight loss - Increased satiety and reduced appetite – green tea is thought to make you feel more satisfied with fewer calories, naturally reducing your appetite - Increased fat oxidation – fat oxidation is what we think of as 'burning energy'. When fat is oxidized, it is broken down into a form that is more easy for the body to utilize as energy When making green tea, the key for a tasty cup is to avoid using boiling water directly on the leaves or bag. Instead, you want to use hot water, or blend boiling water and cold. The easiest way to achieve this is by filling your cup to the ¼ way mark with cold water first. Then, pour the water from your kettle or hot water dispenser to fill the rest of the cup. Once you've filled your cup, allow to brew for about 1-3 minutes before removing the bag or leaves from the water. As you've added cold water to hot, it's a good idea to give it a quick stir before drinking. This means that you won't get a mouthful of cold tea at the bottom!

Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate, or mate, is more of an acquired taste, especially if you tend towards a sweet tooth. It's more popular with black coffee drinkers, as it has a similar level of bitterness. People also report a wood, almost smoky flavor. Although yerba mate is still relatively new to the Western world, already it shows promise for weight loss through: - Increased satiety and reduced appetite – after consuming mate, you will feel more satisfied and less hungry on fewer calories - Blood sugar regulation – mate appears to naturally regulate blood sugars, leading to fewer cravings and steadier energy levels throughout the day - Increased metabolism – the caffeine content of mate boosts metabolism, so you burn more energy at rest than you usually would - Reduced production of fat cells – mate appears to inhibit the production of fat cells, encouraging the body to use energy instead of storing it The traditional way of preparing mate tea requires a hollowed gourd and a silver straw. Assuming you don't have these props on hand, there are still ways to prepare this delicious tea for maximum taste. Like green tea, mate tea is best prepared with hot, not boiling, water. The brew time is recommended at around 3 minutes. Many also enjoy mate tea as an iced tea option – prepare as above, and then add ice-cubes to chill the beverage. You can also add a natural sweetener if you prefer.

Peppermint Tea

Most of us would recognize the taste of peppermint anywhere, and the tea form is no different. The minty flavor is soothing, particularly after a meal. Peppermint has beneficial compounds that can offer aid for weight loss, through mechanisms such as: - Stress reduction – the aroma of peppermint greatly reduces anxiety and stress levels, which can cause stress hormone imbalances and associated weight gain - Decreased appetite – the scent of peppermint has been shown in research to naturally reduce appetite, leading to fewer calories consumed - Reduced cravings – peppermint's aroma also has the power to decrease cravings naturally, leading to healthier food choices The brew time for peppermint varies. If you're preparing it from freshly chopped leaves, brew for 1-3 minutes. For dried peppermint in tea bags, 5 minutes is needed to bring out the full flavor and therapeutic benefit.

Fennel Tea

Unless you were raised with fennel in your diet, chances are you've never tried it before. Fennel is very similar to aniseed or licorice in aroma and taste, which many people enjoy. Fennel tea has a number of potentially therapeutic actions when it comes to aiding in weight loss. They include: - Reducing excess fluid in the body – fennel tea is a natural diuretic, so if you're retaining fluid, it may help you drop those excess pounds naturally - Curbing appetite – fennel tea is thought to naturally suppress appetite, leading to fewer calories consumed - Blood sugar regulation – fennel appears to regulate blood sugar levels, which leads to steadier energy and fewer cravings - Anti-inflammatory – fennel is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. If your weight issues have underlying inflammatory issues such as an under-active thyroid, it may alleviate those issues Fennel tea doesn't need long to brew, usually around 2-3 minutes. More than that may damage the beneficial compounds of the plant. Using hot, not boiling, water can protect the tea's subtle flavor.

Sage Tea

Sage tea has an interesting taste – some believe it to be almost minty, whereas others describe it as astringent. The longer you brew it for, the stronger the flavor. Sage tea has several ways to help induce and maintain weight loss, including: - Blood sugar regulation – sage balances your blood sugars, giving you steadier energy and fewer cravings - Anti-inflammatory – sage is another herb that is high in anti-inflammatory properties, soothing inflamed tissues including the thyroid gland   To brew a comforting cup of sage tea, steep in hot water for approximately 5 minutes. This brings out plenty of the beneficial substances from the leaves. Now that you know what kind of tea helps you lose weight, why not go out and try some? After all, all you have to lose is the extra pounds.