Beware of Detox Teas, Especially the Weight Loss Teas
In our shop we get asked if we sell "detox teas". Not really knowing about detox teas, I went on the all-knowing web.
Online, I thought I would find some articles from some authoritative sites with medical sounding names. But the first article I came across was in Teen Vouge
. Never having read the magazine, and because of the type of magazine, I was not expecting anything too substantive.
But the headline caught my attention. (Aren't hedlines supposed to do that), so I opened the link.
Why Instagram’s Favorite Diet — "Teatoxing" — Won't Actually Help You Lose Weight
And I started reading. The gist of the article was that the popular Detox Teas and their "make you skinny" promises are very dangerous to your health.
The most alarming ingredient in these slimming and detoxing "teas" was Senna. Rather than paraphrasing the article I will quote it here.
"Senna is an FDA-approved laxative used to treat constipation and clear the bowels of patients pre-colonoscopy. It works by irritating the colon to empty its contents and is known as a “stimulant” laxative. Basically, ingesting senna is going to make you have go to the bathroom… a lot. And afterwards you’re going to feel lighter because you have successfully emptied out the entire contents of your intestines."
So these detox teas are not cleansing teas at all. They are basically laxatives that are called teas.
For years, Laxatives have been used and abused for weight loss. The premise for this weight loss technique is eat but don't absorb the calories. Go to the bathroom and empty your stomach.
Needless to say this is not a healthy habit.
I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the article. They clearly outlined the risks associated with these dangerous "tea" products. The article closed with this strong warning.
"...you should never put your health at risk for the chance to lose a few pounds quickly. It's just not worth it."
Bravo Teen Vogue.
I'm sure there are other types of detox teas out there that make other promises. But for the time being, Good Life Tea will continue to sell teas just for the pleasure of drinking a delicious tea.