

Can Detox Teas Really Help You Lose Weight?


First came juice cleanses. Then we got soup cleanses. Now, there's a new liquid diet promising big things for your health and waistline—and it's called Teatoxing.

You've likely already seen Teatox products hawked by celebrity spokespeople on Instagram. (Kylie Jenner, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears are just a few notable examples.) The manufacturers of the tea blends make big claims about the products' effects: Allegedly, they can cleanse your body of toxins, boost your energy, boost metabolism, and spur weight loss.

We just have one (rather crucial) question: Do they actually work?

The short answer is no. "There is no evidence that teatoxing can benefit your body or help you lose weight," says Sharon Palmer, RDN, author of The Plant Powered Diet. "And your body has its own natural detox system and can detoxify all on its own." (Really: Your body flushes out toxins no matter what you eat or drink.)

MORE: 6 Ways To Actually Get Any Health Benefits From Green Tea

And though most tea products are generally considered safe, teatox products in particular may cause some digestive upset: Some blends contain senna, a natural ingredient that can cause GI irritation, cramping, and diarrhea, Palmer notes. "It's not encouraged to use these products for more than 2 weeks because it may lead to more serious health effects," she says.


Instead, it's better to just drink normal tea—black, green, white, or herbal. Unlike teatox formulations, plain old tea actually is backed up by science. "Unsweetened tea is a very healthy beverage, and I recommend it as a wonderful beverage choice, especially compared to sodas and energy drinks," Palmer says. "Much of the research has been done on green, black, white, and oolong tea. These kinds of tea have been linked with a number of health benefits such as protection against cancer and type 2 diabetes, because of their flavonoid antioxidant content."

Caffeine-free herbal teas are another good choice. "Chamomile has been linked with anti-anxiety effects, valerian has been linked to aiding sleep, and ginger tea has been linked to anti-nausea," Palmer adds.  

The bottom line: No single product can magically clear toxins from your body or make you lose tons of weight. Weight loss happens when you create a negative energy balance (that is, when you burn more calories than you eat). Drinking teatox products won't make you lose weight if you turn around and gobble up some cheese fries for lunch every day. "Tea can be a healthful part of your diet," Palmer says. "But teatoxing on its own is not a magic bullet for weight loss."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
More From Healthy Eating