You’ve likely heard a lot about the weight loss benefits of green tea, but is black tea good for weight loss? Yes, it is!
If green tea's light, grassy taste isn’t for you but you’d still like to enjoy its weight loss benefits, know that you can enjoy all the black tea you’d like and still reap the weight loss rewards.
Black tea improves gut bacteria, suppresses appetite, and boosts metabolism, among other advantages.
This guide explores more about understanding black tea and weight loss (along with a few suggestions of great black teas to try).
How Is Black Tea Good for Weight Loss?
So, how is black tea good for weight loss? After all, we all know there is no magic elixir for losing weight.
Different types of black tea can aid in weight loss in a few key ways. Let’s break them down.
Contains Prebiotics
A prebiotic is a kind of fiber that your body can’t digest. Because your body can’t absorb it, it travels to the colon, where it meets probiotics that feed on it. (You’re probably familiar with probiotics as a supplement, but you can also find them in foods like yogurt and sauerkraut).
This process creates short-chain fatty acids that improve health in many ways, including weight loss and nutrient absorption.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) conducted a study on this in 2017.
Knowing that green tea extract has weight loss benefits, the research team wanted to find out if black tea extract has comparable advantages.
The researchers formed four groups of mice, each with a different diet:
- High-fat, high-sugar, and green tea extract
- High-fat, high-sugar, and black tea extract
- High-fat, high-sugar
- Low-fat, high-sugar
The diet continued for four weeks. After that time, the researchers examined the mice. They found that the mice given green and black tea extract dropped to the same weight level as those on the low-fat diet.
Additionally, when they examined the large intestines and liver tissues of the mice, they found a decrease in the type of bacteria associated with obesity and an increase in the bacteria associated with lean body mass.
Suppresses Appetite
Drinking black tea curbs your appetite in a few different ways.
Firstly, drinking hot liquid puts something tasty and satisfying into your stomach, thus tricking your brain into thinking you’re full.
A more scientific explanation is that black tea activates AMPK, a metabolic sensor. This activation reduces fatty acid synthesis and increases fatty acid oxidation. Reducing oxidative stress blocks the pathological processes of obesity, promoting weight loss.
A black tea weight loss study also showed that polyphenols inhibit obesity by hindering lipid (fat) and saccharide (sugar) digestion, absorption, and intake, resulting in the ingestion of fewer calories.
Boosts Metabolism
Metabolism is often talked about in weight loss conversations. Your metabolism is the process by which your body takes the things you eat and drink and turns them into energy for your body's vital functions, like moving, growing, thinking, and overall keeping the bodily machine running.
The faster your metabolism runs, the more energy you burn. You will lose weight if you burn more energy than fuel (the food and drink you consume).
Your resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the speed with which you burn energy when resting. Caffeine increases your resting metabolic rate.
One research study showed that a group of active people who consumed black tea for two weeks burned 96 more calories per day than the group drinking a placebo.
Like all health-related matters, caffeine’s effect on metabolism differs by person. Those with a lower BMI saw a more beneficial boost to metabolism than those classified as obese, for instance.
So, you will not know how caffeine will affect your metabolism until you test it yourself.
Our best-selling Bohemian Breakfast-Probiotic-Rich Black Tea for Energy, Clarity, and Digestion is a great choice for your black tea caffeine boost. Round, bold, and rich with hints of chocolate and vanilla, this tea will enhance your digestion and leave you feeling focused and positive.
Decreases Calorie Intake
We’ve already looked at how drinking black tea reduces calorie intake by hindering the absorption of fats and sugars.
But beyond that, black tea naturally has zero calories. Many teas you buy — especially the pre-bottled varieties — come pre-loaded with sugar. If you are from a region where sweet iced tea is popular, you may expect your black tea to be very sweet.
However, any calories in tea are from additives, not from the tea itself. To cut calories, make iced tea with zero-calorie sweeteners. If you enjoy the taste of unadulterated black tea, enjoying a plain cup of hot or iced tea can help with weight loss.
Additionally, some short-term studies summarized by Harvard Medical School show that drinking a full glass of water before a meal reduces the appetite, resulting in more weight loss over 12 weeks.
If you’re looking for a black tea to sip before meals or to replace sugary beverages, we suggest our Gypsy Rose Black Tea. Created with rose oil and rose petals, its aromatic sweetness blends perfectly with biodynamically grown tea leaves from Sri Lanka.
Improves Fat Distribution
Flavonoids, a type of polyphenol, are abundant in black tea. In fact, it's proven that the polyphenols in black tea are more abundant and effective than those in green tea.
These compounds aid in enhancing body composition and fat distribution. A small group of tea drinkers participated in a randomized, controlled, double-blind 6-month study to determine the effectiveness of black tea on weight management and cardiovascular health.
After three months, the participants who drank 3 cups of black tea daily had a reduced weight circumference and waist-to-hip ratio than those who had ingested a placebo.
Black tea is not the only flavonoid-rich beverage that gives you benefits. A study from BMJ on the consumption of other flavonoid-rich foods showed the same resulting weight loss in participants over four years.
The high flavonoid eaters saw improvement even when considering other lifestyle factors like smoking and exercise.
The conclusion? Flavonoids are your friend!
Some flavonoid-rich foods you can add to your healthy diet in addition to your favorite black tea include:
- Black Currants
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Bananas
- Cherries
- Parsley
- Grapes
- Onions
A breakfast of berries and tea sounds delightful, especially when paired with our Raspberry Earl Grey Black Tea. What better way to start your day than with a delicious array of nutrient-rich fuel for your body?
When is Black Tea Good for Weight Loss?
When is black tea good for weight loss? Is there a particular time? How much should you drink? Is there such a thing as too much black tea consumption?
Many studies on weight loss included participants who consumed at least three cups of black tea a day, so our advice is to start there. Concerns about drinking too much may include caffeine sensitivity and stomach upset (if consumed on an empty stomach, for instance).
The effects of black tea, including weight loss, will benefit you any time you consume tea. However, you may want to be mindful of when you drink your tea if you are trying to optimize for energy boosts.
For instance, English Breakfast Tea is a popular choice in the morning to get you going and keep you clear-headed and focused.
Some find tea refreshing before a workout, and others prefer it as part of their cool-down and muscle relaxation.
Enjoy your tea on your terms. Make sure your lifestyle preferences (bedtimes, calm times, meal times, etc.) and tea-drinking habits align to serve you and your health.
Enjoy Black Tea from Magic Hour
Now you have your answer to the question, "Is black tea good for weight loss?” You can enjoy our wide variety of enticing and rich black teas, which will comfort your spirit and satisfy your senses while providing a myriad of health benefits.
Enjoy before meals, in place of sugary alternatives, as a morning boost or an afternoon rest.
There is no wrong way to enjoy the magic of tea. Whether combined with Raspberry, Bourbon Vanilla, or Rose, savor the elegance of your favorite soothing blend.
If you’re not sure what blend to try next, take a look around our Tea Shop to discover your new favorite. If you need some help, take our Tea Quiz and we’ll help you find the perfect variety for your personal tastes and preferences.
