The 12 Best Detox Teas in 2023

The latest craze for detox teas are another step on our path to healthier living. There have been recent claims in the media and promotions by Hollywood ‘A-Listers’ about how these detox teas are able to cleanse our digestive systems and promote weight loss.

Things to Consider Before Buying Detox Tea

Detox, or ‘Teatox’ teas that contain laxatives, diuretics and stimulants may help speed weight loss alongside a healthy diet and exercise. Recent figures suggest that as a nation we are spending over $62 million a year on detox/teatox teas.

Most of these teas or herbal blends are made from black and/or green teas, fruits, spices and other botanicals or herbal supplements. These blends and teas are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and so any claims made about their benefits will not always be backed up by scientific or medical research.

However, there is some research supporting health benefits of some of the ingredients in these teas; here are a few examples that are linked to beneficial health:

• Cinnamon is a spice used as a traditional medicine. Some studies have shown that cassia cinnamon may lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, and that in the laboratory it may be able to reduce inflammation.
• Dandelion is a vitamin, mineral and fiber-rich plant. Its antioxidants can help prevent oxidative damage in the body, and its polyphenols may help reduce inflammation. It may also help prevent against liver disorders. Laboratory and animal studies show that chicoric and chlorogenic acid from dandelions can help reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity in animals. Dandelion may also help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

      Data for its support for weight loss remains scientifically unproven at present, although some early research does          support its application in constipation treatment and healthy digestion.

• The echinacea flower is a traditional medicine rich in antioxidants linked to various health benefits such as reduced inflammation. Echinacea may also protect against oxidative damage in the body – this type of damage contributes to chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes.
• Ginger is often taken to relieve nausea and motion sickness and may play a role in reducing inflammation in the body. Ginger contains many metabolites and compounds which can make research difficult, although its phenols are known to help gastrointestinal irritation. Ginger is also diaphoretic – keeps the body warm from within.
• Green tea has been well-researched, and as well as being shown to offer some health benefits, green tea catechins may help to burn fat during exercise.
• Hibiscus is a traditional medicine, and one 2010 study showed that hibiscus tea was able to reduce blood pressure in those who had mildly high blood pressure, or were at risk of high blood pressure. Another study showed an increase in ‘good’ or HDL cholesterol levels, but these findings have yet to be confirmed by other researchers. Hibiscus was also shown to help with weight management, although the doses were concentrated, and further research is needed. A high dose of hibiscus may cause liver damage.
• Oolong tea contains a number of antioxidants, including polyphenols, which scientists have shown can help improve blood sugar levels and lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. There has not been as much research into oolong tea as there has into other types of tea – oolong only accounts for around 2% of the world’s tea – but research is promising in this area.
• The herb valerian is often used by insomnia sufferers and it is recognized that valerian may possibly be effective for insomnia and may also help ease some postmenopausal symptoms. Its effectiveness for relieving stress is yet to be proven.

As the majority of detox teas recommend that you drink them while eating healthily and exercising, it can be difficult to prove whether or not the tea has actually contributed to your improvement in health or weight loss.

As you also need to drink plenty of water with detox teas, this can help promote a feeling of wellbeing.

The Impact of Stimulants in Detox Tea

Some teas may contain caffeine, while others contain stimulants such as guarana, which could have up to four times the amount of caffeine as coffee. Stimulants can have some positive short term effects such as energy and metabolism boosting and curbing of hunger pangs, but controlled research studies have shown these have little effect on weight loss.

Caffeine can dehydrate the body as well as cause other side effects such as agitation, sleep disruption, increased heat rate and headaches.

Diuretics and Laxatives in Detox Tea

The addition of a diuretic to your tea will help to temporarily decrease weight, but once you re-hydrate yourself fully, then your weight will usually stabilize. The diuretic will remove the excess water from your body, but you need to be careful and ensure you still drink enough water to reduce the risk of dehydration.

A laxative such as senna works by making your colon contract more than normal, which pushes fecal matter through alongside water and essential electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium).

This change to your digestive routine can also prevent nutrients and vitamins from your diet from being absorbed properly in the body - food is moving through too quickly.

In high doses, and over long periods of time, senna is linked to liver damage, which appears to be reversible if the laxative is stopped. Shorter term doses of senna can cause severe diarrhea which could be dangerous and cause dehydration. Senna can also cause your digestion system to become reliant on using a laxative which may prevent you from having normal bowel movements once you stop taking senna.

Other side effects from laxatives include bloating, gas, nausea and other abdominal discomforts. If a laxative is combined with a diuretic, it can lead to a deficit in blood potassium levels, which may cause muscle weakness and cramps or even more serious heart problems.

Drinking Detox Teas with Other Supplements and Medications

A major concern of medical professions is that one or more ingredients in detox tea may react with medications, or even other supplements that you are taking.

Vitamin K found in green tea leaves can affect blood thinning drugs such as warfarin. Grapefruit can increase the effects of some medications and cause greater side effects. Other tea interactions can be with hormones such as estrogen, or even hormonal birth control.

You should always try to speak to your Doctor before a course of detox tea, especially if you are on any medications or have underlying health issues.

What to Consider Before Drinking Detox Tea

• Know what is in the tea

Always take the time to read the ingredients list carefully. Most herbs, spices or botanicals will be listed under their scientific names, so it is worth doing the research to know exactly what they are. For example, if you suffer with pollen allergies, a tea that has burdock or dandelion root in it may trigger an allergic reaction.

Although manufacturers will list all the ingredients in their tea, few will detail how much of each ingredient for proprietary reasons. This means that where there is information about a nutritional supplement, or if a recommended intake is available, it may be difficult to compare the tea ingredient and know whether it is within the daily recommended intake limit.

• Check with your medical professional

Speak to your doctor or health professional before starting to drink detox tea, as there may be ingredients that could interact with your existing medications or supplements. Do not be afraid to take the tea packet with you to allow them look at the ingredients properly.

• Keep diuretic and laxative use short term

Avoid over use of detox teas that contain diuretics or laxatives; keep to short-term use, which some medical professionals suggest is around one week.

Also remember that when you start drinking detox tea, it may take a few days for any beneficial effects to occur.

As a short-term supplement, detox teas are highly unlikely to cause any significant or permanent harm, and they may provide some small benefits as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Conclusion

In this review we have looked at a choice of detox teas that may help cleanse the body and promote better health. We have also considered what you should look at when choosing a detox tea, and how the addition of laxatives such as senna, or stimulants such as caffeine may affect the body with longer term use.