China Slim Tea

Does China Slim Tea Work?

When you saw the bright green label boasting the product name China Slim Tea Dieter’s Delight, you may have been intrigued. How does slimming tea work — and can a tea really help you lose weight?

 

The answer is no, dieter’s teas don’t work and will not help you shed pounds.

Some research has shown that green tea extract — a very concentrated form of tea — may have an effect on fat metabolism, but the mechanism is not well understood and evidence from human trials is scarce, according to a March 2013 review in ‌Advances in Nutrition‌.

 

Besides, China Slim Tea doesn’t contain green tea extract — nor is it a form of green tea at all — so this potential benefit doesn’t apply.

What’s in China Slim Tea?

The only ingredient in China Slim Tea is senna. Senna is an herb, the leaves and fruit of which are used medicinally. Its main use is as a laxative, and it is approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use for that purpose, according to the NLM.

Per the NLM, senna is effective for short-term treatment of constipation and is also sometimes used to cleanse the bowels before a colonoscopy.

But senna has not been proven effective for any other uses, including weight loss. Despite claims, it’s also not a proven treatment for hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome or anal fissures.

Laxatives and Weight Loss

Some people think that laxatives aid weight loss by reducing or preventing the body from absorbing calories from food. And according to the National Eating Disorders Association, people who binge eat may use laxatives after a binge to help push out food before the calories can be absorbed.

In reality, though, laxatives do no such thing: They can’t prevent absorption of calories. However, they may cause increased fluid loss, according to Barnard College. This can make you temporarily weigh less on the scale, but it is only water weight loss, not fat loss. As soon as you replace those fluids, your weight will go back up.

What’s more, this rapid fluid loss can lead to dehydration.

 

Are There Any Side Effects of China Slim Tea?

Not only does China Slim Tea not work when it comes to weight loss — it can also potentially lead to the following side effects:

1. It Can Cause an Electrolyte Imbalance

Long-term laxative use can have serious effects on your health. Laxatives can interfere with the absorption of nutrients, including electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. This can contribute to heart function disorders, muscle weakness and other problems, according to Columbia University.

 

2. It Can Mess With Your Digestive Function

Regardless of whether you drink slimming tea on an empty stomach or with a meal, China Slim Tea may cause side effects like an upset stomach, cramps or diarrhea, according to the NLM.

Regular use of laxatives, including the senna in China Slim Tea, can also lead to intestinal blockages, according to the National Health Service.

 

Long-term senna use can also harm your overall bowel function, per the NLM. This can lead to laxative dependence, where you rely on laxatives to go to the bathroom and thus further reinforce bowel damage.

3. It’s Linked to Liver Damage

Long-term use of senna has also been linked to liver damage, per the NLM. As a result, you should not exceed the recommended dose or use senna for more than a week.