Weight Loss Fantasy

Chinese Diet Teas: What Are The Risks?

The popularity of Chinese diet teas has increased in recent years. Chinese diet teas have long been considered to be very helpful for dieting. Recently, many companies have manufactured and distributed these products labeled “Chinese diet tea” for those who wish to lose weight.

Why is the Chinese tea diet so popular? Many believe that tea on its own carries only 4 calories per serving, and the caffeine in tea is potent enough to increase body function to help burn more calories. Additionally, it is believed that the polyphenols in tea seem to aid in the digestion of fat.

There are several names for the Chinese diet tea that help you lose weight - Chinese diet tea, fasting tea, slimming tea, super dieter’s tea, weight loss tea. These teas all promote one message; namely that if drink this tea you will lose weight.

Nevertheless, many experts noted that what you are actually drinking from these products is a plant based laxative that can cause certain disorders like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fainting and chronic constipation.

These products are derived from plants and have been used since time immemorial for their ability to relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. They are deemed effective for such purposes with occasional use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once stressed that the laxative teas and dietary supplements of most concern are those containing one or more of the substances, such as aloe, senna, rhubarb root, buckthorn, castor oil, and cascara.

When the labeled “Chinese diet teas” are excessively used based on the misconception that frequent bowel movements prevent the absorption of calories, then problems tend to occur. Numerous studies have shown that the laxative-induced diarrhea does not significantly reduce absorption of calories for the reason that laxatives don’t work in the small intestine, where the calories are absorbed. It rather works on the colon, which is the lower end of the bowel.

When the Chinese diet teas are misused by steeping the tea longer than product labeling recommends, this can lead to short as well as long term adverse condition. This is also true when the Chinese diet teas are taken more than the suggested quantity.

For those drinking the Chinese diet teas for the first time, stomach cramps; vomiting, nausea and diarrhea are the common disorders to occur and will last for several days. In the event that these laxatives are used continually, laxative dependence will tend to develop, causing bouts of chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain as well as constipation. In the most severe cases, these laxatives can cause fainting and dehydration. These after-effects of excessive use of Chinese diet teas are most likely to develop in people who are nutritionally compromised due to rigorous weight-loss dieting.

As the concerns about the safety of Chinese diet teas have increased, the FDA is now considering requiring the manufacturers of labeled “Chinese diet teas” to place warning labels on all of their product stimulant laxatives. It is also important that those who are using Chinese diet teas for any purpose must read and follow the recommended directions carefully; otherwise they place their health at risk.

Generally, if used appropriately and consuming the right quantity, Chinese diet teas are safe.

Share This