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Through various ways, people have always been trying to remove what they believe to be toxins from their bodies. While in the past this was because of health reasons, as people believed that it was toxins that made them sick, it is now most commonly done for dietary reasons.
Detox teas have become the most popular way for people to supposedly remove toxins from their bodies. You may have seen celebrities endorsing this message, or seen the teas used in diets such as the “Master Cleanse” plan.
If you are new to the world of detox teas, then there are a few things you should know before you give this product a try. Read on to learn everything you should know about detox teas and what they can do for you.
When to drink detox tea
If you have never tried detox tea before, then you may not know that the time of day that you drink it may affect how well it works.
The best time of day to have a cup of detox tea is in the morning. You can have it on an empty stomach or as part of your breakfast. A cup of detox tea can give you a surge of energy while also enhancing your metabolism for the rest of the day. Echinacea is a common detox tea ingredient that has been proved to help your body fight illness by boosting your immune system.
If you don’t like starting your day with tea though then the next best time to drink it is in the evening before bed. A warm cup of tea can help you sleep better at night in general. While the ingredients in detox tea vary, most contain chamomile. This is a calming ingredient that can help you unwind and fall asleep more quickly. By detoxifying your body and aiding your digestion, detox tea can also help you sleep better at night. However, make sure the detox tea you plan to drink is caffeine-free before drinking it in the evening!
Depending on your typical schedule and living habits, you may want to avoid drinking detox tea in the middle of the day. This is because it may cause you to feel the need to drink more water for hydration or make more trips to the bathroom due to its diuretic effect.
With so many detox teas on the market, you will be able to decide what benefits you want to get from the teas. The one you choose may affect the time of day you wish to drink it but drinking detox tea should not impact your day too much.
How much detox tea can I drink?
If you're wondering how much or how often you should drink detox tea, one cup per day is recommended, but you can drink more or less if you want. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day as you detox as well, as this can help with digestion and keep you hydrated.
If you think an extra cup in the evening will help with the detox process, you go ahead and drink it. Once you've experienced the detox effect of two cups, reduce it back down to one cup each day. If you're concerned that your detox tea is too strong, steep it for a shorter time.
You may experience improvements from detoxing in as little as one to three days, depending on your age, weight, gender, and a few other factors.
What are the benefits of drinking detox teas?
The supposed benefits of drinking detox teas have always been in doubt. One of their biggest draws is that as well as supposedly removing toxins from your body, they can also help you lose weight. The issue here is that yes you may lose weight while on a detox schedule, but that will be because you probably aren’t consuming as much, not because of the tea. Many of these teas recommend that alongside drinking them, you also eat well and do daily exercise, which in general will make you healthier.
Detox teas can also apparently boost your brainpower, which is another benefit that has not been proven to be true. Some even say that they can prevent blood vessel damage.
While there are seemingly more disadvantages to drinking detox tea (as you will see below), a pro for this tea is that they usually contain natural herbal ingredients like chamomile, ginger, and hibiscus, all of which do actually provide some benefits to our immune system.
Dangers of detox tea
Unlike the benefits touted by detox tea brands, there are several verified disadvantages and dangers associated with detox teas.
Too much caffeine
These teas contain a very high level of caffeine, which can be dangerous to someone who is not used to this.
Too much caffeine intake can cause several issues of its own like:
Dehydration
Nervousness
Fast heart rate
Headache
Anxiety
Ringing in the ears
Digestive issues
Agitation
Irritation
Sleep disruption
Too much caffeine will also make it difficult to sleep. A caffeine intake of up to 400 mg — the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee — is generally regarded safe for healthy people. Detox teas, on the other hand, may contain significantly more caffeine than is suggested in a single day. This can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Abdominal pain and discomfort are common side effects of detox teas. Constipation, bloating, gas, and nausea are all noted as side effects. These symptoms are frequently caused by excessive quantities of caffeine and laxative substances, which stress the digestive tract.
Dehydration
Because of the digestive side effects, you may find yourself going to the bathroom more often. If you do this, your body will hold less fluid, and you may become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause electrolyte levels in your blood to drop.
Electrolytes are necessary for the proper functioning of your muscles. Electrolyte imbalances can cause muscle spasms and irregular heart rhythms, both of which are dangerous.
Takeaway
While you can drink detox tea on an empty stomach, you will first want to consider the many side effects that this drink can cause you. While you may think that you are helping your body remove toxins, by drinking this tea you may really be causing more harm than good to your immune system.