Those who want to lose weight soon ask themselves: Does red tea really lose weight ? According to popular consensus, this is one of the benefits of this drink. But what do experts say about this natural product?

Also called oolong tea, red tea is made from Camellia sinensis. However, this is not the only infusion made from this plant. That’s because, along with red there is also black, white and the famous green tea.

All of these infusions have similarities in terms of the beneficial properties they offer to the body. Even so, each one has its specifications and it’s the red tea that you can check in this article.

In addition, the Tea Benefits also provides information on how to make this infusion and how it should be ingested. And you can still get inside the curiosities involving this plant and its contraindications.

Does red tea really slim down?

Yes, red tea can reduce measures thanks to the components found in this infusion. In this case, they are called catechins, a type of polyphenol with antioxidant properties.

To support this argument, a study was carried out involving 38 Japanese aged between 26 and 46 years and all of them in an overweight condition. Participants were divided into two groups.

The first group “ingested a bottle of oolong tea extract (fermented) that contained 690 mg of catechins and the control group received a bottle of oolong tea with 22 mg of catechins for 12 weeks.” (1)

As a result, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat mass and subcutaneous fat area were lower in the first group. Thus showing the slimming properties of tea through the amounts of catechins.

But in addition, red tea also has diuretic properties . This means that those who consume it have an increase in the volume and degree of urinary flow.

Thus, you can eliminate the retention of fluids and other substances such as sodium and potassium. Providing the feeling of weight loss due to body deflation.

What is red tea for?

Red tea is an antioxidant, so it protects cells against the action of free radicals. This means to say that this infusion prevents premature aging and degenerative diseases, such as cancer itself . By the way, it’s considered antimutagenic. (two)

In Japan and Thailand, this drink started to be adopted together with the treatment of type 2 diabetes . As a result, patients had a more positive picture, since tea “has shown to be an effective complement to oral hypoglycemic agents.” (3)

Other benefits of this infusion are: reduced cholesterol level, blood pressure control, blood glucose reduction and improvement in the bacterial flora of the intestine. (4)

Finally, but a beneficial effect of oolong tea, the antibacterial action . For this reason, it is a plant that acts to inhibit the growth and development of bacteria. Consequently, it prevents the body from certain diseases caused by these agents.

recipe and how to take

The red tea recipe is very simple, since only two ingredients are needed, they are: the plant itself and filtered water.

In that case, start by boiling 200 ml of water. After the boiling process, turn off the heat and pour the water into a cup containing a teaspoon of red tea. Cover the container and wait for up to 3 minutes.

After the specified time, strain the infusion and drink it immediately without adding sugar, sweetener or honey. The ideal is to consume up to twice a day,  but always opting for daytime periods.

Like green, black and white tea, red tea also has caffeine in its composition. That’s why the nighttime consumption of this drink promotes sleep loss and may progress to insomnia.

In addition to all this information, it is important to note that Camellia sinensis in the form of oolong tea can also be found in the form of a bag. In these cases, just boil the 200 ml of water and pour them into the sachet of this natural remedy, waiting for the same time initially indicated.

Curiosities about Camellia sinensis

As already mentioned at the beginning of this article, Camellia sinensis  can give rise to several types of teas . The difference between them is in the way of harvest and preparation. Thus, more or less processed sheets appear. 

The most famous of these is green tea . “In green tea, right after harvesting, the process starts and the foliar enzymes are inactivated by exposure to heat, preventing enzymatic oxidation.” In black tea , another popular natural product, oxidation occurs for a longer period. (two)

On the other hand, red or ooolong tea has chopped and chopped leaves . For this reason, they undergo a brief period of oxidation, remaining between the green type and the black type. (two)

Meanwhile, the white type is made from the young leaves of Camellia. Furthermore, they do not undergo the oxidation process. Therefore, it is the type of drink richest in antioxidants and the one with the most pleasant taste. (two)

With all this, it is important to inform that “the smaller the fermentation, the greater the amount of catechins, especially epigallocatechin-gallate.” (5) And as already mentioned, these substances are capable of reducing measures.

Red tea contraindications

Like all medications, whether natural or not, red tea has contraindications. Pregnant women, lactating women, children and the elderly should avoid drinking this drink.

Hypertensive patients, on the other hand, need to consult the doctor before using red tea, avoiding drug interactions.

For other people, use must be done consciously. As already mentioned, this drink has a high caffeine content , causing sleep loss in very high doses or if consumed at night.

other types of red tea

There is not only red tea from Camellia sinensis. In fact, other infusions may also be named for their color.

For example, hibiscus tea can be called red tea. In addition to this, there are also infusions made with red fruits , such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, etc.

Finally, there is another drink with that name: the rooibos . Unlike the reddish infusion of Camellia , this other tea is beneficial for children who suffer from colic and promotes a calming effect, improving irritability and ending insomnia. (6)