Herbal teas have been around for centuries, as has beer. These two beverages are widely consumed, not for the same reason, but they have cemented their popularity throughout all these years. Herbal teas have made their way into our lives from across the world and are known for their immense health benefits and exotic taste. Not to mention they are naturally caffeine-free. Beer, known to be the world’s most-consumed alcoholic beverage, provides a foamy and malty taste.
However, beer can cause some side effects if consumed on a regular basis. One well-known side effect is the beer belly. Our midsection is prone to fat storage more than any other part of our body. Although a lot of foods can contribute to this, beer is one drink that’s associated with fat around the belly. Interestingly enough, herbal teas can help with that.
To learn more about the best herbal tea you can drink to eliminate beer belly, we spoke with Amber Dixon, dietitian and CEO of Elderly Guides, and Catherine Gervacio, registered dietician and nutrition writer for Living.Fit. They shared with us that green tea is one of the best herbal teas for combating beer belly.
Green Tea
Gervacio explains to us what the general benefits of drinking green tea are. She says, "Herbal teas are often rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals. Green tea is rich in catechins to enhance metabolism and fat oxidation to aid in the reduction of abdominal fat. Another flavonoid present in tea, epicatechin, has been associated with reduced body fat and improved metabolic health. It may help increase the breakdown of fats and improve insulin sensitivity."
A few other well-known benefits of green tea are that it can help with stress, relaxation, and boosting your immune system. All of which are much needed for everyone. When it comes to green tea, it's good for weight loss and losing abdominal fat due to its catechins, which Gervacio mentioned. This enhances metabolism, increases fat oxidation, and allows the body to use stored fat as an energy source.
Dixon mentions the specifics of catechins in green tea. She says, "Specifically, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been shown in multiple studies to boost metabolism and increase fat burn, which can help reduce abdominal fat over time when combined with a healthy diet and exercise."
Green Tea Recipe
Gervacio gives us a simple and easy green tea recipe that we'll be sure to try to combat any signs of beer belly. The recipe is a blend of coffee and green tea as a morning drink, and the instructions and ingredients are 1 green tea bag (or 1 teaspoon of loose green tea leaves), 1 cup of hot water, 1 tablespoon of instant coffee, sweetener (optional), milk (any, optional), 1 cup of boiled water. Place the green tea bag (or loose green tea leaves) in a cup. Pour the hot water over the tea bag or leaves and let it steep for 3-4 minutes. While the tea is steeping, prepare 1 tablespoon of instant coffee in a separate cup. After the green tea has steeped, remove the tea bag or strain the tea leaves, and pour the brewed green tea into the cup with the instant coffee. Stir well to combine the green tea and coffee. Add sweetener, such as sugar or honey, to taste, if desired. If you'd like, add milk and stir again. Enjoy while hot!
The Bottom Line
While green tea can be an excellent addition to your diet and lifestyle, it's definitely not a magic potion that will immediately get rid of all your belly fat. Dixon reminds us that green tea is not the only solution for a beer belly, as she ends by saying, "While herbal teas like green tea can aid in weight management and provide numerous health benefits, they should not be seen as a standalone solution for weight loss or reducing a beer belly. It's always best to maintain a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and moderation in alcohol consumption for overall health and wellbeing." Noted!
