One tea that gained a lot of notoriety was Jamaican tea, better known as hibiscus tea. The part used is the flower, Hibiscus Sabdariffa, which contains a high amount of various bioactive compounds, the famous phytochemicals, as well as vitamins and minerals.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties attract attention and make this tea an advantageous option for health. However, it is common to see people using the infusion as an ally to weight loss diets.
One of the widely known effects of hibiscus is its diuretic action, which eliminates toxins and reduces the feeling of bloating. Therefore, the question remains whether tea can be an alternative to reducing body fat. Despite the various benefits, it is first necessary to better understand its mechanisms.
This drink offers phenolic compounds and flavonoids. In addition to helping with health, it can reduce the absorption of fats in the intestine. What’s more: it is cleansing, detoxifying and also helps with hydration.
Because of this, better regulation of the hormones that control appetite and satiety, known as leptin and ghrelin, is expected.
However, we should not attribute weight loss success to a specific food or tea, since, for weight loss to actually occur, adjustments to a series of contexts are necessary.
However, for those who are already controlling the calories in their diet and are looking for a healthy drink alternative that still gives an extra boost, tea can indeed be a good option.
Thaiz Brito is a nutritionist with a postgraduate degree in Clinical Sports Nutrition