Not too long ago, Skinny tea was all the rave. It had been making headlines in all corners of the earth. Skinny tea claims to ‘detox’ and ‘cleanse’ the body of all toxins. But is that really true? Are there hidden stories behind the making of this ‘miraculous’ drink?
Today, we will take a nosedive into what this tea is all about and if there’s any relevant information that you will need to know before taking this drink. With that said, strap in, and let’s get started.
What is Skinny Tea?
Skinny tea or slimming tea is the name given to a special drink that comes in various colors and flavors. This tea is typically plant-based with a touch of caffeinated ingredients that offer weight loss and cleansing benefits. More often than not, this tea is marketed as natural and holistic, which brings a detoxifying boost into your daily routines.
Additionally, this drink has been endorsed by famous celebrities, for instance, Kylie Jenner and Cardi B. Meanwhile, the hashtag #teatox has over 500k posts on Instagram alone with different people. The retail value for the health and awareness market is over $24 million and will likely skyrocket by 2024. That aside, I am writing this to explore both sides of the skinny tea spectrum.
Benefits of Skinny Tea
- Weight Loss
Undoubtedly, Skinny tea packs a lot of benefits to your body. Yes, you heard that right! They are used widely for their health purposes. More importantly, teas, for instance, green tea, have chemicals that aid in weight loss. These chemicals are known as catechins. Catechins help increase the amount of burnt fat, especially during exercises.
But the results aren’t that conclusive. More research needs to be done to understand the scope of green tea for weight loss fully. Additionally, we currently do not have clinical studies that prove that these teas are excellent tools for weight loss.
Another component found in these skinny teas is caffeine. Caffeine acts as a diuretic that helps to expel water through urine. In simple terms, caffeine in the skinny tea can cause you to lose what is also known as ‘water weight.’
Skinny teas additionally have a laxative effect on their patient, which leads to weight loss. This can lead to a flatter abdomen with a slim look. However, skinny tea doesn’t cause any long-lasting effects when it comes to weight loss. Unfortunately, these teas can dehydrate you. - Enhance Metabolic Rate
Typically, skinny tea increases the metabolic rate, which in turn causes the burning of the fat in your body. This chain reaction cuts down on the calories consumed in your body and discourages the conversion of sugar and carbs into fat. Therefore, this tea can help you lower the fat deposits in your body. - Healthy Skin
Skinny teas that come with ingredients such as Chamomile, Lotus leaf, and Sencha green tea help moisturize the skin. These ingredients work together to clear dead cells and keep your skin well-nourished. - Stress Relief
Chamomile present in skinny tea is a safe depressant that helps to relax your mind and calm your nerves. Therefore, the tea helps to alleviate anxiety and stress. What’s more, the tea boosts your concentration and helps you stay focused.
The Downside of Skinny Tea
When you use skinny tea as directed, they are unlikely to cause any harm. However, there’s always a possibility of side effects. This is the other side of detox teas that people barely talk about. So, let’s explore some of the possible side effects of skinny teas.
- Dehydration
Skinny teas give you a lighter feeling, a quick weight loss that almost feels like a miracle. Unfortunately, the sudden weight change is just a loss of water weight. A good number of the ingredients in skinny teas have a laxative effect on the body.
However, the extreme loss of water weight without any other form of compensation could lead to diarrhea and, even worse, dehydration. That happens especially when you consume more skinny tea than recommended. - Imbalance of Electrolytes in the Body
Most ingredients in skinny teas have a diuretic effect which promotes dehydration. Also, diarrhea could make dehydration worse, contributing to nutrient deficiencies and an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. - Weight Loss Abuse
Sometimes consumers get obsessed with skinny teas, among other weight loss products that promise a quick fix. For that reason, these weight loss products are at a higher risk for abuse by consumers. So, if you have especially experienced body image issues in your life, you should watch how you consume these skinny teas. - Low Blood Pressure
Do you have any cardiovascular diseases? If yes, then the compounding effect of the skinny teas could lower your blood pressure even lower. That’s because skinny teas promote loss of fluids in the body. To that effect, you might end up being highly susceptible to fainting and dizziness. - Reduction in Bowel Movements
Usually, it’s recommended that you only use skinny tea in the short term. If you use the tea for an extended period of time, your body might habituate to the laxative. In the long term, that may interfere with your bowel motility.
In some cases, it may even cause IBS, lazy gut, and intestinal paralysis, meaning you will be dependent on the skinny tea to experience normal bowel movement. If that happens, it’s advisable to consult with your doctor. - Reduce Efficiency of Birth Control
Most skinny tea companies have acknowledged that skinny teas could potentially affect the overall effectiveness of birth control. Usually, that happens within 4-5 hours after the laxative effect of the tea kicks in.
Bottom Line
When most people first hear about skinny teas, they are always a bit skeptical. I won’t lie; it raises a few eyebrows. This is a tea blend that promises to detoxify your body, help you lose weight, and heal you from the inside out. How is it possible for a cup of tea to do that?! But, once you do extensive research on the ingredients and read reviews of people who have used these teas before, the answer becomes more precise. The ingredients are generally safe and may help support your weight loss journey. However, skinny tea shouldn’t replace exercise or a healthy diet. Exercise precaution when trying out new fad diets/drinks, go in moderation, and know your nutritional intake!
