Is BLACK TEA the secret to weight loss and good gut health?

As the temperatures cool down and winter sets in, the temptation to pop the kettle on and settle down for a cup of tea is huge.

But while you mightn’t think that a simple cup of black tea has much in the way of health benefits, you could be surprised to hear that having the popular beverage without milk is one of the easiest ways to lose weight and boost your metabolism.

Research from UCLA found that black tea may promote weight loss and other health benefits by changing bacteria in the gut. 

Here, FEMAIL looks at the benefits of the hot drink, as well as its herbal counterparts.

Research has proven that black tea has a number of benefits, insofar as it can boost gut health and aid weight loss (stock image)

Black tea and green tea have prebiotic benefits - and can induce the growth of good micro-oganisms that contribute to a person's well-being (stock image)

Black tea and green tea have prebiotic benefits – and can induce the growth of good micro-oganisms that contribute to a person’s well-being (stock image)

Prebiotic gains

By now, we all know the importance of good gut health, to such an extent that many of us spend a lot of time focusing our daily diets around pre and probiotics.

But in fact, black tea and green tea have prebiotic benefits – and can induce the growth of good micro-oganisms that contribute to a person’s well-being.

Sip on a cup without milk to ensure you are helping your gut microbiome to flourish.

Metabolism boost

It’s long been said that green tea is the best metabolism-boosting tea. 

But other studies have also found that black tea can have a positive effect on the metabolism.  

Researchers found that black tea helps to prevent weight gain and obesity by altering your gut microbiome, making it ‘anti-obesogenic’.

One person that swears by black tea without sugar for fat loss is Brisbane dietitian, Leanne Ward, who drinks a cup with her lunch every single day.

Researchers found that black tea helps to prevent weight gain and obesity by altering your gut microbiome, making it 'anti-obesogenic' (stock image)

Researchers found that black tea helps to prevent weight gain and obesity by altering your gut microbiome, making it ‘anti-obesogenic’ (stock image)

Antioxidant overload

Lastly, black tea is great for the antioxidants that come with the leaves.

While those from green tea get absorbed into the blood stream and liver, the polyphenols from black tea are much bigger and remain in your intestine – helping to boost gut health ‘and the formation of short-chain fatty acids, a type of bacterial metabolites that has been shown to alter the energy metabolism in the liver’.

Dietitian, Susie Burrell, recently looked at the health benefits of tea, from ginger to rooibos, peppermint and dandelion.

She highlighted which herbal options are good for bloating, stress, anxiety and sickness.

Dietitian Susie Burrell (pictured) extols the benefits of all sorts of teas, from black tea to herbal options

Dietitian Susie Burrell (pictured) extols the benefits of all sorts of teas, from black tea to herbal options

The health benefits of various teas 

GINGER TEA: Best for helping to manage nausea and aiding digestive comfort. It can help those battling morning sickness, motion sickness or those with throat or nasal congestion. 

PEPPERMINT TEA: The refreshing nature of peppermint tea makes it one of the most popular options, and it’s commonly used to relieve bloating and manage food cravings.

ROOIBOIS TEA: High in antioxidants, especially vitamin C, rooibos can offer you a daily immune boost along with a subtle sweet hit without the calories.

DANDELION TEA: Dandelion tea has powerful diuretic properties, making it a good choice when you feel bloated or your liver needs a cleanse. 

CHAMOMILE TEA: Chamomile tea is popular with those wanting something calming before sleep or when dealing with stress and anxiety. 

CINNAMON TEA: Cinnamon is both aromatic and flavoursome which makes it a great alternative to sweet foods after dinner. It has also been shown to help to regulate blood glucose levels.  

Source: Susie Burrell   



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