We have all heard the claims – by simply drinking two cups of specially formulated tea per day you can experience an array of ‘detox’ health benefits such as weight loss, a suppressed appetite, less bloat and more energy. This theory sums up the Tea Detox diet claim, regularly known as Teatoxing. Our dietitians uncover the facts about the Teatox diet and explain why it’s not an ideal method for safe or sustainable weight loss.

The Facts

Although detox teas are based on natural ingredients, this doesn’t automatically mean they are healthy or safe supplement choice. Many of these detox teas contain an ingredient called Senna - a herb that has a strong laxative effect, used to treat constipation. Senna works by irritating the colon and promoting bowel peristalsis and clearance. It also increases the accumulation of water in the bowel by preventing water and electrolytes from being reabsorbed back into the body from the colon.

The Effects

Detoxing with tea can lead to a laxative effect – resulting in diarrhoea and stomach cramps for some consumers. This results in a large percentage of your weight loss to be water loss. Water is bound to glycogen in the body, it’s the body’s carbohydrate reserve in the muscles and liver. When you cut carbohydrates from your diet, your body uses its glycogen stores resulting in increased water losses and potentially becoming dehydrated.

People report feeling ‘better’ on a Teatox diet but this is quite often as a result of eating less foods that are high in fat, salt or added sugar as well as drinking less alcohol and caffeine.

The Risks of Undergoing a Teatox

The risks of using detox teas include (but are not limited to):

1. Reduced bowel health due to nutrient deficiencies: The bowel can lose tone and you may become reliant on taking these laxative herbs for a bowel movement. Long-term use of senna can lead to stomach cramping, diarrhoea, potassium and electrolyte imbalances and even nutritional deficiencies. Another problem with being on a tea-only cleanse for too long is that you won’t be getting any fibre, to assist in bowel movements. Without fibre, the bowel is not able to eliminate a majority of toxins from the body.

2. Restriction of whole food groups: By eliminating foods such as bread, cereal, dairy or meat makes it difficult to meet our nutritional needs which can be dangerous, especially for children, adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women and older adults. By undergoing a Teatox, there is no protein, fibre and healthy fats to keep your body full and your appetite satisfied.

3. Weight regain is highly likely: Blood sugar levels will be affected which can lead to low energy, mood swings and sugar cravings. Your metabolism may also slow down, which makes weight loss far more difficult to achieve.

Summary

Diets that are implemented on a short-term basis not only set the scene for long-term poor eating, but can also be considered a serious health risk. Fortunately, healthy adults have extraordinary systems for removing toxins from our bodies every day without the need for detoxifying teas. Our lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and immune system naturally remove and neutralise toxic substances within hours after we eat them. This means healthy, long term eating combined with physical activity will and ensure your weight loss is sustainable as well as safe. A healthy, balanced diet means including plenty of vegetables, fruit, low fat dairy, wholegrain breads and cereals, lean meats, chicken and fish, nuts and seeds (no Teatox required)!