Maintaining good gut health is important for overall health and wellness–in fact, it can also play a role in weight loss. A healthy gut can help to improve digestion and reduce bloating, leading to a flatter stomach. It can also support the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestines, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve the overall functioning of the digestive system. In turn, this can help to support weight loss efforts by improving metabolism and aiding in the breakdown of fats. For this reason, incorporating gut-healthy foods and drinks into your daily diet is one way to get one step closer to the fat stomach of your dreams–and luckily, there are plenty of equally healthy and tasty options out there.
To discover some of the best beverages to boost gut health and metabolism for a flatter belly, we spoke to Joanna Wen, certified health coach and founder of Spices & Greens. She told us that drinking a daily cup of matcha green tea and/or ginger tea can do wonders for your digestive health and, in turn, your weight loss goals. Learn more about the incredible benefits of these gut-healthy beverages below!
Matcha green tea
Matcha green tea is a type of green tea made from finely ground tea leaves–and luckily, it’s as healthy as it is delicious, especially when it comes to your gut health. One of the key benefits is the fact that it contains a ton of antioxidants, which can help to protect your body against free radicals and other harmful substances and can even improve digestion to reduce bloating and promote a flatter stomach.
According to Wen, "Matcha green tea contains high amounts of powerful antioxidants called catechins, which are known to have numerous positive effects on the digestive system that help prevent bloating. Studies show that these catechins help to reduce inflammation in the gut and can even inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines." In addition to its digestive benefits, Wen notes that matcha green tea can also aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism. "All it takes is one cup a day and you'll be well on your way to improved gut health and a flatter tummy," she says. What a win-win situation! We’ll definitely start sipping on this warm beverage more often.
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Ginger tea
Ginger tea is another beverage known for its digestive benefits (and a range of other great health benefits). Ginger in general has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of issues, with digestive issues making up just a fraction of the ailments it can help with. According to Wen, the active ingredient in ginger, gingerol, contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can improve gut health and reduce bloating. "By reducing inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract, ginger tea can help support digestion and alleviate constipation," she explains.
And just as with matcha green tea, ginger tea also offers the added benefit of a faster metabolism. "Regular consumption of ginger tea has also been known to improve metabolism, further aiding weight loss efforts by helping burn fat faster–which can lead to a flatter belly,” Wen raves. Incredible!
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The bottom line
Of course, there’s no one miracle drink you can sip on for a flat belly. However, both matcha green tea and ginger tea are gut-healthy beverages that can help to promote a flatter stomach by reducing bloating and boosting your metabolism. Adding a cup or two to your daily routine definitely won’t do any harm!
