2021-12-15T19:02:47Z This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. McKnight, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine.  Medically Reviewed Reviewed By Check Mark Icon A check mark. It indicates that the relevant content has been reviewed and verified by an expert Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board.

• Some of the best teas for weight loss are green tea and oolong tea, which help you metabolize fat.
• Pu-erh tea—a fermented Chinese drink—promotes a healthy gut, which may contribute to weight loss.
• Plain black tea may also help with weight loss by reducing calorie intake and helping burn fat.

There is no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss, but drinking tea may help support you on your weight loss journey.

Drinking tea is associated with all sorts of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. And as part of a well-rounded diet, tea may also help you lose body fat and maintain a healthy weight, says Amy Shapiro, a registered dietitian and founder of the consulting practice Real Nutrition.

Though there are a limited number of human studies on tea's effect on weight loss, some early research is promising. 

Here's a look at six types of tea that may help promote weight loss. 

1. Green tea

Green tea may help increase fat oxidation, meaning it helps turn fat into energy, which can help promote weight loss, Shapiro says. 

This is because green tea is packed with antioxidants called catechins, including one known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to increase fat burning, particularly during exercise.

Here's what the research says:

• A 2008 study found that men who took green tea extract before working out burned 17% more fat than men who did not take the supplement. 
• A 2014 review of 14 different studies found that obese people who drank green tea for 12 weeks lost an average of 0.44 to 7.7 pounds more than those who did not consume green tea. 

Because an 8-ounce cup of green tea contains 28 mg of caffeine, Shapiro recommends consuming it early in the day, before 4 p.m., so it doesn't disturb your sleep. 

Quick tip: You can drink any type of green tea, including matcha, either hot or cold. 

2. Oolong tea

Like green tea, oolong tea is thought to enhance weight loss by improving the way your body metabolizes fat.

A 2009 study on the effects of oolong tea for weight loss found:

• 70% of severely obese participants who drank 8 grams of oolong tea a day for six weeks lost more than two pounds and 22% lost more than six pounds. 
• 64% of the obese subjects and 66% of the overweight subjects lost more than two pounds over the course of the six weeks. 

Quick tip: Oolong tea contains about 38 mg of caffeine per cup, which is less than a cup of coffee. Oolong tea has a fruity or floral taste, and because of its caffeine content, is best consumed earlier in the day.

3. Black tea

Like green tea and white tea, black tea is also made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which contains antioxidant properties, says Isaac Robertson, a certified sports nutritionist, personal fitness trainer, and co-founder of Total Shape. 

And like green tea, the polyphenols present in black tea may help promote weight loss by reducing calorie intake and stimulating fat breakdown.

One 2014 study found that healthy adults who drank three cups of black tea daily for three months lost more weight and experienced a greater reduction in waist circumference than participants who did not. But after three months, the result were no longer significant, 

Quick tip: You can drink black tea plain, but some people aren't fond of its bitter taste, so Robertson recommends adding lemon. Black tea contains 47 mg of caffeine, so it may be best to drink this tea earlier in the day as well.  

4. Pu-erh tea

Research on the weight loss effects of pu-erh — a fermented Chinese tea — in humans is limited. 

One small 2014 study on humans found that men with metabolic syndrome who were given pu-erh tea extract lost about two pounds more over three months than participants who did not. Similar results were found in a 2012 study on mice.  

Part of pu-erh tea's weight-loss benefits could be how it helps control blood sugar levels, though results have only been found in vitro and mice, so far. 

Controlling blood sugar levels is important for weight loss because abnormally high blood sugar can trigger cells to store the excess, unused sugar as fat. 

The fermentation process that pur-erh tea goes through also helps promote a healthy microbiome, which may help digestion and aid weight loss, Shapiro says. 

5. White tea

Research indicates that white tea has similar antioxidants to green tea, which may promote weight loss by boosting fat burning.

In fact, a 2009 in vitro study showed that white tea extract solution containing polyphenols increased the breakdown of fat cells.

Quick tip: White tea is less processed than other types of tea and has a more delicate, sweet taste. You can drink it either hot or cold. Like other teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant, it contains between 15 and 30 mg of caffeine so be careful about drinking it in the afternoon or evening. 

6. Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus tea is a type of herbal tea made from the flowering hibiscus plant. More research is needed to determine how effective it is for weight loss, but some studies indicate hibiscus tea may protect against obesity.

One small study of 36 overweight individuals found that participants who took hibiscus extract lost more body fat over 12 weeks than participants who took a placebo. 

Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea that does not contain caffeine, so it can be enjoyed at any time of the day, Shapiro says. 

Best teas

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We test and recommend the best tea for day or night and best tea-related gifts. Check out our picks:

• Best afternoon black tea: Harney & Sons Paris Black Tea - See at Amazon and Walmart
• Best green tea: Tealyra Imperial Dragon Jasmine Green Tea - See at Amazon
• Best oolong loose leaf tea: Ruby Oolong - See at Rishi Tea

Insider's takeaway

Some types of tea, including green tea and oolong tea, may help promote weight loss when included as part of a balanced diet. 

Consult with a doctor before beginning a weight loss plan and do not drink tea as a substitute for healthy foods as it contains minimal calories, Shapiro says. Instead, have it as a beverage to compliment a healthy meal.

"It is not a magic bullet," Shapiro says. "But as part of a balanced weight loss program, tea can help for sure."

Erin Heger Erin Heger is a freelance journalist located in the Kansas City area. She primarily covers stories related to healthcare policy, maternal mental health, parenting, and personal finance. Her work been featured in The Atlantic, Rewire.News, Refinery29, HuffPost, and more.  Read more Read less

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