Drinking tea for weight loss has been a common diet trend in the year that has almost come to an end -- and even before it. From Instagram influencers promoting their brand of choice to believers of natural living swearing by it, there seems to be nothing that tea can't accomplish when it comes to helping you with your dilemma of how to lose weight and burn belly fat fast. And there are more varieties of it than you can count on one hand. There's black tea, which improves your body's ability to process energy by acting on the bacteria in your gut; white tea, a refreshing zero-calorie drink with great antioxidant properties; green tea, which gives your metabolism a boost and thus makes you lose weight faster, particularly when had with ginger. You may even have heard of fennel tea. But have you ever heard of blue tea and the health benefits it has to offer?
What is blue tea?
Blue tea for weight loss is the latest tea trend that's picking up fast, especially in Bangalore. But if you don't know what it is or have never even heard of it, we got a tea connoisseur Kausshal Duggar, Founder and CEO of Teabox.com, to break down the advantages of drinking blue tea for you.
This unique, vibrantly coloured tea will surely pique the curiosity of all who gaze upon it. Duggar sheds light on the process of making blue tea. Also known as butterfly pea tea, is made from butterfly pea-flower, a plant from the pea family. Its origins can be traced to tropical Asia. However, through the centuries, the flower was widely distributed in the West and East Indies, Central and South America, India and China. "Butterfly-pea flower tea is a fridge dried whole flower which is a caffeine-free herbal tea, or tisane, a beverage made from a decoction or infusion of the leaves of the cl*toria ternatea plant," elaborates Duggar.
Blue tea: 10 health benefits of drinking this natural detox drink
Duggar is of the opinion that the beverage helps burn fat and reduce kilos. "Regular consumption of blue tea increases metabolism, which in turn burns excess fat, "he explains. Detoxification plays a crucial role in shedding unnecessary fat, and blue tea is an antioxidant. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural diuretic - something that increases the frequency of passing urine - and helps detoxify your body, according to Duggar. But apart from weight loss, blue tea has the following health benefits:
1. Antioxidant properties
One of the major benefits of consuming blue tea or butterfly pea tea is its antioxidant properties. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods is vital for health since they fight off free radicals, which are the primary reason for premature ageing of the body.
2. Anti-diabetic properties
This tea is amazing for diabetic patients as it helps regulate blood sugar levels. A cup of blue butterfly tea taken in between meals will help regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Reduces stress and anxiety
Butterfly pea has been used for reducing stress and anxiety from ancient times. Drinking blue tea will help you feel relaxed and get a good night's rest. It also helps improve brain function and memory.
4. Beneficial for hair and skin
Any ingredient that is rich in antioxidants is amazing for hair and skin. Since this tea is also rich in many vitamins and minerals it proves to be even more effective for preventing premature ageing of skin and hair.
5. Anti-cancer and anti-tumour properties
cl*toria Ternatea's cyclotides can kill cancer inducing cells by disrupting cell membrane integrity. So, drinking a cup of blue tea every day could help prevent diseases like cancer and tumours.
6. Anti-microbial properties
In several Indian studies, butterfly pea exhibited significant anti-microbial effects against Staphylococcus Aureus, which can cause a range of illnesses from minor skin infections like pimples and scalded skin syndrome to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and even toxic shock syndrome.
7. Anti-inflammatory properties
The deep indigo flowers of butterfly pea contain flavonoids. Found in almost all fruits and vegetables, flavonoids are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties as well as immune system-boosting benefits.
8. Improves eyesight
cl*toria Ternatea contains an antioxidant called proanthocyanidin, which increases blood flow to the capillaries of the eyes, useful in the treatment of glaucoma, blurred vision, retinal damage or tired eyes.
9. Helps bring down fever
When given in doses of 200, 300 and 400 milligrams per kilogram, studies have shown butterfly pea extract to have led to a significant reduction in body temperature, lasting for five hours after administration. This antipyretic effect was also said to be comparable to that of paracetamol - the analgesic (painkiller) tablet that cures fever.
10. Detoxifies the body
The body and its internal organs need to be cleansed, and this is why it is important to have a cup of butterfly pea flower tea every day. It cleanses the liver, the kidneys, the intestines and also the stomach.
How to prepare blue tea at home?
Duggar explains how you can make this light drink at home in under 5 minutes. "Add hot water to 4 pieces of Pea flower and cover the cup to retain the heat. Let it steep for several minutes (about 3-4) or until the water is a deep shade of blue. You can choose to consume it hot or iced since it tastes great both ways." According to Duggar, the best time to consume blue tea is in the morning with breakfast and also post lunch. Duggar also recommends adding honey to your blue tea if you wish to enhance its flavour. This could also promote weight loss. Additionally, you can pair the detox drink with foods such as green salads with broccoli and lettuce or even low-fat Greek yoghurt, for maximum possible benefits.
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