Can you drink detox tea on an empty stomach?
Looking to try out detox teas? Did you know that the best time to drink it is in the morning? Read on to learn everything you should know about detox teas!
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Through various ways, people have always been trying to remove what they believe to be toxins from their bodies. While in the past this was because of health reasons, as people believed that it was toxins that made them sick, it is now most commonly done for dietary reasons.
Detox teas have become the most popular way for people to supposedly remove toxins from their bodies. You may have seen celebrities endorsing this message, or seen the teas used in diets such as the “Master Cleanse” plan.
If you are new to the world of detox teas, then there are a few things you should know before you give this product a try. Read on to learn everything you should know about detox teas and what they can do for you.
When to drink detox tea
If you have never tried detox tea before, then you may not know that the time of day that you drink it may affect how well it works.
The best time of day to have a cup of detox tea is in the morning. You can have it on an empty stomach or as part of your breakfast. A cup of detox tea can give you a surge of energy while also enhancing your metabolism for the rest of the day. Echinacea is a common detox tea ingredient that has been proved to help your body fight illness by boosting your immune system.
If you don’t like starting your day with tea though then the next best time to drink it is in the evening before bed. A warm cup of tea can help you sleep better at night in general. While the ingredients in detox tea vary, most contain chamomile. This is a calming ingredient that can help you unwind and fall asleep more quickly. By detoxifying your body and aiding your digestion, detox tea can also help you sleep better at night. However, make sure the detox tea you plan to drink is caffeine-free before drinking it in the evening!
Depending on your typical schedule and living habits, you may want to avoid drinking detox tea in the middle of the day. This is because it may cause you to feel the need to drink more water for hydration or make more trips to the bathroom due to its diuretic effect.
With so many detox teas on the market, you will be able to decide what benefits you want to get from the teas. The one you choose may affect the time of day you wish to drink it but drinking detox tea should not impact your day too much.
How much detox tea can I drink?
If you're wondering how much or how often you should drink detox tea, one cup per day is recommended, but you can drink more or less if you want. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day as you detox as well, as this can help with digestion and keep you hydrated.
If you think an extra cup in the evening will help with the detox process, you go ahead and drink it. Once you've experienced the detox effect of two cups, reduce it back down to one cup each day. If you're concerned that your detox tea is too strong, steep it for a shorter time.
You may experience improvements from detoxing in as little as one to three days, depending on your age, weight, gender, and a few other factors.
What are the benefits of drinking detox teas?
The supposed benefits of drinking detox teas have always been in doubt. One of their biggest draws is that as well as supposedly removing toxins from your body, they can also help you lose weight. The issue here is that yes you may lose weight while on a detox schedule, but that will be because you probably aren’t consuming as much, not because of the tea. Many of these teas recommend that alongside drinking them, you also eat well and do daily exercise, which in general will make you healthier.
Detox teas can also apparently boost your brainpower, which is another benefit that has not been proven to be true. Some even say that they can prevent blood vessel damage.
While there are seemingly more disadvantages to drinking detox tea (as you will see below), a pro for this tea is that they usually contain natural herbal ingredients like chamomile, ginger, and hibiscus, all of which do actually provide some benefits to our immune system.
Dangers of detox tea
Unlike the benefits touted by detox tea brands, there are several verified disadvantages and dangers associated with detox teas.
Too much caffeine
These teas contain a very high level of caffeine, which can be dangerous to someone who is not used to this.
Too much caffeine intake can cause several issues of its own like:
Dehydration
Nervousness
Fast heart rate
Headache
Anxiety
Ringing in the ears
Digestive issues
Agitation
Irritation
Sleep disruption
Too much caffeine will also make it difficult to sleep. A caffeine intake of up to 400 mg — the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee — is generally regarded safe for healthy people. Detox teas, on the other hand, may contain significantly more caffeine than is suggested in a single day. This can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Abdominal pain and discomfort are common side effects of detox teas. Constipation, bloating, gas, and nausea are all noted as side effects. These symptoms are frequently caused by excessive quantities of caffeine and laxative substances, which stress the digestive tract.
Dehydration
Because of the digestive side effects, you may find yourself going to the bathroom more often. If you do this, your body will hold less fluid, and you may become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause electrolyte levels in your blood to drop.
Electrolytes are necessary for the proper functioning of your muscles. Electrolyte imbalances can cause muscle spasms and irregular heart rhythms, both of which are dangerous.
Takeaway
While you can drink detox tea on an empty stomach, you will first want to consider the many side effects that this drink can cause you. While you may think that you are helping your body remove toxins, by drinking this tea you may really be causing more harm than good to your immune system.
What to eat after a detox cleanse
If you’re planning a detox cleanse, you may be wondering what to eat afterwards. Click here for advice on what to eat.
What to eat after a detox cleanse
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A detox cleanse, or juice cleanse, is one of the most popular reset diets. They claim to help you shed excess weight fast and easily. It is hard to argue with the results flying about on the internet, but the problem is that many people quickly put back on the weight after finishing the cleanse.
This is due to 2 main factors. The first is that most people are not aware of how to correctly resume eating following a cleanse to ensure that your body is not overwhelmed. The second is that you have unrealistic weight-loss expectations from a detox cleanse. While you will likely drop some weight and appear slimmer, the majority of this is likely to be water weight and excess food in your stomach that have been excreted during the cleanse. As you begin to eat normal food again the weight will pop back on.
Short-term, crash diets are not sustainable and will never help you to achieve long-term weight loss. If you want to achieve this, the best way to do so is by making healthy food choices, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly.
If you are still interested in doing a detox cleanse, we are here to take you through what you should eat once it has finished. This can help you to remain feeling and looking healthier.
Whole foods
The term whole foods refers to foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. This means no processed or refined foods - these tend to be convenience foods. This will require more preparation and forethought on your part, but the results speak for themselves.
Organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and ancient grains are all good, healthy food choices.
Fruits and vegetables
Everyone knows that you should be aiming for 5 portions of fruits and vegetables each day. Ideally, you will be eating 2 portions of fresh fruit, and 3 portions of raw, roasted, or steamed vegetables. Many people prefer to boil their vegetables, but we do not recommend this. When they boil, many of the nutrients seep out into the water in the pot, which is then thrown away. This reduces the nutritional value of the food.
Fruits and vegetables are vital not only for their vitamin and mineral content, but also the fiber that is found within them. This is important for the optimal health of your bowels and digestive system.
Click here for an easy and delicious way to drink your vegetables.
Healthy fats
Healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, and seeds are an essential component of a healthy and balanced diet. Many people shy away from fatty foods when they are trying to lose weight, but fats will help to keep you fuller for longer and reduce the chances of you reaching for a snack.
Lower your sugar intake
Sugars form a vital part of a healthy diet, but it is important to ensure that they are coming from the right sources. Refined sugars, such as those in chocolate, candy, and syrups, are not healthy and can have a number of adverse effects on your body.
Refined sugars are much more difficult for your body to break down during digestion and make the transition back onto solid food after your detox cleanse much harder. Try to opt for natural sugars, such as those in fruits instead.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Following a detox cleanse where you have cut alcohol and caffeine out of your diet completely, your body will be increasingly sensitive to these stimulants. You can begin to incorporate caffeine back into your diet from day 2 post-cleanse, but do not start at the same level as before. We advise ½ cup of coffee on the first day and gradually increase from this point.
It is also wise to wait at least a week after you have completed your detox cleanse to begin incorporating alcohol back into your diet. This is because alcohol must be filtered by your liver to remove the toxins. Your liver has already been working overtime during the detox cleanse, so try to give it time to catch up before overwhelming it again.
Stay hydrated
There are very few health issues that cannot be improved with a good level of hydration. You should aim to drink around 2 liters of water each day, and just wait until you see the health benefits. The most notable include clearer skin, increased energy levels, and a smoothly working digestive system.
Herbal teas and hot water with lemon are great drinks to consume if you fancy more of a variation. These are also very kind to your digestive system.
The first 3 days
The first 3 days post-detox cleanse are the most important for retaining the health benefits. On day 1 you should aim to eat 3 small meals of easily digestible foods. These could include bananas and melons, vegetable soup, or green beans. It is advised that you drink at least 2 liters of water or herbal teas during the day to remain hydrated.
On day 2 you can begin to incorporate small volumes of grains such as rice and quinoa. At this point, you can also add in some healthy fats such as peanut butter, nuts, and avocado. These will provide you with healthy nutrients and will keep you feeling fuller for longer. We also advise having some sweet potatoes to boost your fiber, calcium, and iron intake. You should still be consuming at least 2 liters of fluids. If you are desperate to get your caffeine fix, you can have a small cup of coffee, although do not exceed this.
On day 3 post-cleanse you can begin to reintroduce dairy or dairy alternatives to your diet. Increase the quantities of fruits and veggies that you are eating. We advise using this day to incorporate easily-digestible protein sources such as eggs, chicken, or tofu.
From day 4 onwards you can return to a normal diet with no restrictions. If you wish to keep seeing results, you should adopt a healthy and well-balanced diet, limiting processed foods and refined sugars.
