In Chinese, oolong tea means “black dragon tea” [2]. Oolong tea comes from the same plant as black and green tea: Camellia sinensis [2].
Oolong tea vs Green tea : The only difference is in the fermentation process. In green tea, the leaves are not fermented while in black tea, the leaves are fully fermented [3]. To make oolong tea, the leaves of this plant goes through partial fermentation [3].
The process of fermentation gives the tea color and scent. It also creates changes in the tea’s catechins and other antioxidants [3].
Oolong tea contains caffeine and a chemical called theophylline. It can boost energy levels as well as heighten mental alertness [3]. It is also believed to aid in weight loss, as suggested in scientific research [3].
Drinking this tea can reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, eczema, heart disease, high blood pressure and tooth decay [3].
So, you make it a habit of drinking oolong tea to lose weight. Moreover, it will help you keep many diseases at bay.
Read on to learn the efficacy and uses of oolong tea for weight loss. You’ll also get to know the recommended time and amount of drinking this herbal tea for weight management.
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Oolong Tea for Weight Loss? How it Works?
There are various ways by which oolong tea can help you lose weight.
You’ll be glad to know that these are not empty claims, as most of these are backed up by scientific research.
1. Oolong Tea May Reduce Fat
As reported in several studies, oolong tea is capable of reducing body fat.
In 1999, scientists tested oolong tea on mice to find out its health benefits. The International Journal of Obesity & Related Metabolic Disorders published this study. It reports that oral administration of oolong tea in obese mice for 10 weeks. The consumption of oolong tea caused a great reduction in body fat [4].
Caffeine and other substances in oolong tea helps in breaking down fats. [4]
Another study performed on human showed oolong tea aids in weight loss. It also decreased the waistline in most of the 102 participants [5].
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2. Oolong Tea Can Increase Metabolism
Oolong tea contains thermogenic agent. It helps shed off pounds by accelerating the body’s metabolism. American researchers have verified this in 2001. [6].
The study involved 12 men. They consumed either water, 15 grams of oolong tea, 7.5 grams of oolong tea or water with 270 mg of caffeine [6]. Fat oxidation was highest in those who consumed the full-strength tea [6].
3. Oolong Tea Can Regulate Digestion to Prevent Absorption of Fats
If you drink oolong tea, the body will absorb less fats and carbohydrates from your diet.
That’s because the polyphenols excrete fats and carbs instead of absorbing them. These claims have been confirmed in a study conducted by Chinese researchers in 2014 [7].
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4. Oolong Tea May Boost Energy Levels
Diet is not the only important aspect of a weight loss program, so is regular exercise.
To perform regular physical workout, a person needs to have enough energy.
This is another way oolong tea can help.
According to a study, consumption of oolong tea increases energy level [8]. As you can see, oolong tea has multi-fold effects on helping you achieve the weight that you desire.
How to Use Oolong Tea for Weight Loss
Here are some oolong tea remedies to try to lose weight.
You can drink oolong tea on its own. Or, combine it with other natural ingredients that also promote weight loss.
1. A Cup of Warm Oolong Tea
Drinking oolong tea will boost your weight loss efforts. It will also supply your body with essential nutrients.
Learn how you may use oolong tea for weight loss:
To prepare the tea, you will need: 1 teaspoon of oolong tea powder & 1 cup of water.
Boil water in a pot. Add oolong tea powder. Steep for 15 minutes and strain the mixture. Let it cool a little. Drink tea once a day for several months.
2. Oolong-Cinnamon Iced Tea
Cinnamon has the ability to boost the metabolism and speed up burning of fats and calories.
How to use cinnamon in oolong tea for weight loss:
Take 1 tablespoon of oolong tea leaves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water.
Put water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Remove pot from the stove. Soak cinnamon in the water for five minutes. Remove the stick. Add tea leaves. Let it steep for 20 minutes.
Put mixture in the refrigerator for two to three hours. Drink the iced tea everyday for two to three months, or longer.
3. Lemon and Oolong Tea
One of the oldest weight loss remedies that people have found effective is lemon juice.
Here’s how you may use lemon in oolong tea for weight loss:
To prepare this, you will need: 1 cup of water, 1 oolong tea bag, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Boil water in a pot. Remove from heat & pour hot water into a cup. Put the tea bag in the hot water. Steep for five minutes. Add lemon juice. Then, stir in honey. Drink the tea twice a day for one month.
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4. Peach and Oolong Tea
Peaches are effective not only in helping you lose weight but also in keeping the body nourished.
Here is a simple method of using peach in oolong tea for weight loss:
To make this tea, you will need: 1 cup of water, 1 oolong tea bag, and 1 ripe peach, peeled and cubed.
In a pot, boil water. Turn off the heat & add the tea bag. Later, remove the tea bag, and put tea in the refrigerator. After one hour, blend peach cubes in a food processor. Add to the tea. Mix well.
Drink this concoction once or twice a day for up to three months.
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5. Spicy Oolong Tea
Spices like cayenne pepper can aid in your weight loss efforts. Cayenne pepper boosts metabolism.
How to use spices in oolong tea for weight loss:
You will need: 1 cup of hot water, 1 oolong tea bag, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to prepare this tea.
In a cup of hot water, steep oolong tea bag. Cover for 15 minutes. Then, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder and stir well. Drink the spicy tea once a day for up to one month. If you’re experiencing hyperacidity, drink the tea every other day or three times a week only.
6. Oolong Tea & Green Tea
Many people try consuming oolong tea in combination with green tea. It is one of the most effective ways of losing weight.
Green tea is another superb metabolism booster. Studies on the popular tea suggest that as little as 2.5 cups of green tea help you cut down extra pounds. You can combine oolong and green tea and progress in your weight loss program.
Learn how you may use oolong and green tea for weight loss:
For this remedy, you will need: 1 teaspoon of oolong tea, 1 teaspoon of green tea, and 1 cup of warm water.
Boil water, remove from the heat and pour it in a cup. Now add oolong and
leaves to the water one by one. Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain the tea in a different cup and drink. Consume 2 cups daily to lose weight.
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The Best Time to Consume Oolong Tea
Your prime concern is to get the best quality oolong tea.
Moreover, much of the progress with your weight loss depends on the time you consume the tea. Morning is the best time to consume oolong tea.
- Drink oolong tea on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
- You can sip in oolong tea along with your breakfast.
- Consume oolong tea 30 minutes before your lunch and dinner.
- You can consume the tea with your evening snacks as well.
How Much Oolong Tea to Drink for Weight Loss?
Oolong tea is 100% calorie free. You can drink as many as 2-3 cups of the tea on a daily basis as per the recommended time giver above.
Beware of drinking too much of oolong tea with a view to losing weight fast. It may cause nausea, dehydration, insomnia, stomach upset, etc.
Where Can You Buy Oolong Tea Near You?
You can always find the best brand oolong tea online at Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, Teavan, and Teabox. Moreover you may find the slimming tea at drug stores and supershops.
Importance of Weight Management
Losing weight is more than a cosmetic concern.
Sure, you want to look great and feel confident but more important than this is your health.
Being overweight puts you at risk of many ailments, some of which are serious and chronic.
According to experts, excess weight increases the risk of the following conditions:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Certain forms of cancer
- Osteoarthritis
- Gallbladder problems
- Gout
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
When you’re overweight, your cholesterol levels tend to go up. High cholesterol, leads to high blood pressure and heart diseases [1].
It’s also more likely for plaque to build up in the arteries, which can rupture and cause blood clot [1]. When this happens, oxygen and blood cannot pass to your brain, and this leads to stroke [1].
Most people who are overweight suffer from type 2 diabetes. It occurs due to abnormal levels of glucose in the blood because of the body’s inability to produce or use insulin [1].
Extra weight also puts extra pressure on your joints, resulting in arthritic pain [1]. These are few of the many negative effects of excess weight on your health.
Bottom Line
Maintaining an ideal weight is important, not only for one’s beauty but for one’s health.
Oolong tea can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension.
You can combine oolong tea with ingredients effective in speeding up metabolism.
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