Celebrities Love Detox Teas for Weight Loss, but Do They Work?

Back in 2016, I remember looking in the mirror and feeling miserable. I was depressed, eating large amounts of junk food every day, and steadily gaining weight. I wasn’t at my heaviest, but it was clear I had let myself go.

The more I thought about it, the more chips I snacked on. It was a never-ending cycle.

Until I saw detox teas on Instagram.

Celebrities from Amber Rose to the Kardashians were promoting these products with the promise of a snatched waist like them. Hundreds of reviews raved about how amazing the product was — “I lost 15 pounds in two weeks!” — said women flaunting their perfect after bodies.

And all you had to do was drink tea. How easy was it?

If thousands were claiming it works, it should, right?

So the next time I went shopping, I got myself Bootea 14 day teatox. It only cost me about 30 pounds. Considering what it claimed to do for my body, it seemed like a bargain.

Fourteen days of drinking the “special” tea day and night and many bathroom visits later, I had lost a little less than 5 pounds — which I gained a few days after I was done with the miracle product.

The teatox industry has taken over social media, pushing one message: drink their special tea and get the body of your dreams. The impressive army of celebs endorsing it gave them credibility.

Instead of losing 30 pounds in weight, I lost 30 pounds in cash.

Most ingredients induce a laxative effect

Detox teas, including brands like Bootea, Flat Tummy Tea, Teami, and Skinny Me Tea, contain ingredients that are laxatives.

For example, six out of seven components of Flat Tummy’s Activate tea are laxatives, and the seventh is a diuretic.

Laxatives are medicines that allow your body to eliminate waste from the intestines. Diuretics are medications designed to increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine.

Combine these two, and you will spend a lot more time in your bathroom. Been there, done that. Those sudden urges are not something I want to remember.

But do they work for weight loss? Yes, and no.

These ingredients can trigger the loss of water weight.

Shedding water weight can give you a flatter stomach and help you feel lighter overnight. But this effect is only temporary. The scale may show a lower number, but you are not losing any fat.

Losing water weight can give you a confidence boost or the motivation to make better choices.

Remember — You will not achieve your dream body by spending more time peeing. If you stop drinking the tea and continue with your less-than-stellar eating habits, you will gain those pounds back before you know it.

Some ingredients can have unwanted side effects

Besides actual tea, most detox concoctions have a variety of herbs designed to curb appetite or improve metabolism. One such ingredient found in many detox teas is senna, which is a plant with a natural laxative effect.

Common side effects include abdominal discomfort, cramps, gas, and diarrhoea. Excessive use can lead to electrolyte disorders.

Another frequent ingredient in weight loss teas is guarana, a plant often added to energy drinks. This natural element, also called Brazilian Cocoa, is rich in caffeine, which can cause restlessness, increased heart rate, and stomach irritation.

Bottom line: Do your research. Be mindful of what you put in your body. Even “all-natural” products, when used in excess, can be harmful. Be especially careful if you have any pre-existing conditions, or regularly take other medications to avoid negative interactions.

It can increase your risk of becoming dehydrated

Pumping laxatives and diuretics into your body twice or thrice a day will help you fit into that dress. It will also increase the risk of experiencing low electrolyte levels.

A 67-year-old man reported nausea, trembling, and weakness after taking a herbal detox beverage containing uva ursi leaves, juniper berries, and many other ingredients for five days. He was treated at an intensive care unit for severely low electrolyte levels.

If you do not compensate the body with adequate amounts of water, the implications can be life-threatening.

You have to eat well and exercise for lasting fat loss

There is no shortcut. Do the work.

Detox teas are quick fixes — temporary solutions to a deeper problem. There is no one magical product that can guarantee lasting weight loss. Other than a healthy diet and exercise.

I can tell you this because I tried many quick fixes for years with no effect.

One brand, promoted by several celebs including Kylie Jenner, states on their website that the tea “is recommended to be taken in conjunction with a healthy energy-controlled diet and regular exercise.” They also offer a meal plan.

In reality, these teas are not tested and are not FDA approved. For all you know, the weight loss experienced by users could be a combination of the loss of water weight and a placebo effect. Unfortunately, research on their effectiveness is scanty.

In any case, simply sipping tea while skipping the gym and ordering takeout may not be the best way to achieve your goals.

Remember — Celebrities are paid for promoting brands. They also have a consistent workout routine combined with trainers and nutritionists at their disposal.

Detox teas and the influencers endorsing them have been under scrutiny for many years. Their claims of “detoxifying” are mostly unsupported.

The idea that the body needs any help to ‘detoxify’ itself can be misleading.

“Any tea that claims to detoxify your system is pure hype,” says nutritionist Karen Ansel. “Your body has its own built-in detoxication system that works 24/7 — your liver, which dismantles toxins, and your kidneys, which flush out these waste products.”

Your body doesn’t need external help. What it needs is a nutritious diet and movement.

If your goal is to lose weight, miracle products like these can be extremely tempting. They offer a simple way, with a soothing scent, sold to you with promises of a body like your favorite celebrity.

All within 14 to 28 days.

Before you get seduced by the idea (like I did) and open your wallet, remember that real fat loss is a slow process. It takes time and effort — much like building a relationship. You don’t want to lose a few pounds and gain it back in a few months.

If you are looking to improve your health, you are better off adopting a healthy lifestyle than drinking tea, which could do more harm.

Don’t believe the hype.