Detox Tea is a tea that typically contains herbs or other ingredients that are believed to have a detoxifying effect, assisting major bodily organs in ridding themselves of built up toxins. There are a variety of teas to choose from, each with its own blend that targets a specific organ or group of organs. These teas can act as a stimulant used to clear the bowels, or have other properties considered to be beneficial in removing excess toxins that have built up as a result of lifestyle and diet. A detox tea is often taken as part of a detox diet.

A detox diet is a diet plan that focuses on achieving optimal health by eliminating the body of toxins through the use of natural foods, herbs, and beverages. The idea behind a detoxification is that by eliminating the impurities in the body, dieters can experience higher energy levels and will have a sense of rejuvenation once the diet has been completed. http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/detox-diets-cleansing-body Because of this lasting sense of renewal, the effects of a detox diet have been remarked upon as being both physiological and psychological.http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/detox-diets-cleansing-body

In addition to ridding the body of built up toxins, a detox diet, along with detox teas, are often used as a weight loss method, especially when a dieter is attempting to lose weight within a short period of time. Medical professionals, while acknowledging that a dieter may lose weight, refer to such a diet as a “yo-yo diet” because the dieter will quickly regain the weight they lost.http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/detox-diets-cleansing-body?page=3

While controversy exists over certain detox teas and claims made by detox diets, there are benefits to drinking tea that are backed by science and medicine. Tea is referred to as a superfood, and is known to contain polyphenols and antioxidants, that can help rid the body of free-radicals. Tea may also help in reducing the risk of heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and heart attacks. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-tea The benefits of tea come from Catechins, a flavonoid found in the beverage. The longer tea is steeped, the higher the concentration of flavonoids in a single cup. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-tea

The controversy that surrounds the principals of detox teas is what they claim to do as opposed to what they actually do for dieters.http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/demystifying-detox-diets Detox teas are generally promoted as quick weight loss and cleansing beverages, but medical professionals have contradicted the claims made in support of detox diets and teas, stating that while using a detox program for a day should not have any effects on one’s health, following a longer term detox program can actually have damaging effects.http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/demystifying-detox-diets Rather than the ingredients in a particular detox tea aiding in weight loss and weight management, it is actually the restricted number of calories taken in that cause such a dramatic loss in weight.http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/demystifying-detox-diets

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.