Pu-erh tea weight loss is something that you might want to understand more about. You’ve perhaps heard that it can aid weight loss. Or perhaps you’ve just been told that tea, in general, can help weight loss …and are thinking Pu-Erh tea is the way to go?
So that’s what I’ll be talking about in this post, but for a quick response, here’s why Pu-erh tea can aid weight loss.
Pu-erh tea contains ingredients like caffeine and catechins that are known to help with weight loss. A study on rats found those given Pu-erh tea extract lost more weight than those who were not given the extract. This is in line with other findings that studied the effects of tea on weight loss.
The catechins in Pu-erh tea are also effective in reducing abdominal fat. In another study, it was shown that rats given Pu-erh tea catechins had less abdominal fat than those who were not given the catechins.
So, if you’re looking for a tea that can help you lose weight, Pu-erh tea is a pretty good choice. Just make sure to steep it for at least 3 minutes to get the most out of the catechins.
There are, however, other teas that I would probably recommend before starting down the route of pu-erh. I’ll outline these once I’ve dealt with pu-erh as a choice.
But wait! What exactly is Pu-Erh tea and how does it differ from black tea?
Pu-erh Tea Weight Loss – What is Pu-erh Tea?
Pu-erh tea is a kind of Chinese tea that has been around for centuries. It’s a black tea that has been fermented. This process gives it a rich, earthy flavor that is often described as “malty.” Pu-erh tea is usually sold in compressed cakes or bricks and can be aged for many years.
Pu-erh tea is made from the leaves of the true tea plant, the Camellia sinensis. The leaves are picked, sun-dried, and then fermented. This fermentation process is what gives pu-erh tea its unique taste.
You can find out more about what tea is here, or learn about this and more in my Tea Sommelier Course! See more details below.
So does pu-erh tea help with weight loss?
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Does Pu-erh tea help weight loss?
Pu-erh tea is said to be good for weight loss because it contains a substance called catechins.
Catechins are antioxidants that help to boost your metabolism and burn fat. But then, all tea contains some element of catechins. So we’re going to explore what is beneficial about Pu-erh tea weight loss.
Pu-erh tea is also said to be good for lowering cholesterol levels and improving circulation.
Pu-erh tea is often consumed as a weight loss aid because it is said to help burn fat and boost metabolism. A 2010 study found that pu-erh tea can significantly reduce body fat in rats.
However, more specific human studies are needed to confirm these effects.
When to drink Pu-Erh tea for weight loss
You can drink Pu Erh tea two to three times daily, around 1 hour after a meal works well.
This helps your body remove excess grease and hard-to-digest fats early. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. And avoid drinking pu-erh tea from late afternoon onwards due to the small caffeine content.
The caffeine content is lower due to the fermentation process, but it’s still there. So if you’re susceptible to anxiety or have trouble sleeping, avoid drinking it in the evening.
Can you drink pu-erh tea in the morning?
Drinking pu-erh tea in the morning is fine. The fermentation process lowers the caffeine content, but it’s still there. If you are sensitive to caffeine, it’s best to avoid drinking pu-erh tea in the morning or late at night. Otherwise, it can offer your morning caffeine boost.
If you’re looking for a tea you can drink in the morning that will provide benefits, then check out the options that made it into my list of Top Morning Teas.
Pu-erh tea weight loss – How it works
It’s said to have many health benefits, one of which is weight loss. So how does it work?
Pu-erh tea contains caffeine and catechins, which are both compounds that have been shown to boost metabolism and promote fat burning. Therefore, drinking pu-erh tea may help you burn a few extra calories each day.
Pu-erh tea is unique because it undergoes a special fermentation process. This process gives pu-erh its distinctive taste and smell. It also alters the antioxidant and nutrient content of the tea.
The fermentation process also helps to break down some of the caffeine in pu-erh tea. This is why pu-erh tea is sometimes referred to as “decaffeinated.” However, it still contains small amounts of caffeine.
Pu-erh tea is rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that scavenge harmful toxins and byproducts that can damage cells.
Studies show that pu-erh tea can help fight oxidative stress and inflammation. Both of which are linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
With that said, does it matter how you make Pu-erh tea to help with weight loss?
How to make Pu-Erh tea for weight loss
Pu-erh tea is available as loose leaves or in tea bags. It’s also sold as a brick of compressed tea leaves or as a cake of compressed tea.
If you buy the loose leaves, use 1 teaspoon per cup of water. If you’re using a tea bag or brick, follow the instructions on the package. Usually, you’ll steep for 3–5 minutes.
Making Pu-erh tea is simple. Steep 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of loose pu-erh tea in 8 ounces (237 ml) of boiling water for 3–5 minutes.
Pu-erh tea is best enjoyed without milk or sweeteners. It tends to be earthy, and malty in flavor, so if you find the taste too bitter, you can add a little honey – here’s what type of honey to add.
You can also shop for pu-erh tea bags if you want a quick solution. Or, you can shop at your local tea store.
Some tea bars also offer Pu-Erh on the menu. If they do, then you know you’ve arrived at an establishment that understands its tea!
How many times can you steep pu-erh?
Pu-erh tea can be steeped multiple times – at least 3 times and even up to 10. Each subsequent steeping will result in a less strong cup of tea.
The number of times you can steep pu-erh will also depend on the quality of the tea leaves. Higher-quality pu-erh teas can be steeped more than lower-quality teas. The taste may even develop and change over multiple servings.
Pu-erh tea leaves can be steeped multiple times because the tightly compacted leaves yield more with each steeping. This is due to the post-fermentation process that pu-erh goes through.
I teach the simple 8-step Tea Tasting Methods in my Tea Sommelier Course.
Can you cold brew Pu-erh?
Yes! You can cold brew pu-erh and it will result in a smooth, mellow cup of tea. Cold brewing is a great way to enjoy pu-erh if you find the taste to be too strong when brewed traditionally.
To cold brew pu-erh, simply add the leaves to a pitcher of cold water and let it steep overnight in the fridge.
All of these methods will aid you in the weight loss regime to some degree or other. As always, just be aware that tea for weight loss is not a magic cure. It is something you would undertake as part of a wider dietary and lifestyle routine.
Teas for weight loss
When it comes ot tea and weight loss, most teas will provide you with a good beverage that will in some way or another aid in your weight loss journey.
This is because any tea from the tea plant will hold some elements that are common to all teas.
However, some teas, herbal teas (tisanes) are more suited to a weight loss regime than others. And on that note, some teas that I could recommend that would outperform pu-erh as a weight loss tea.
So take a look at the following teas for added value in a weight loss program.
Pu-Erh Tea Weight Loss – Final Thoughts
Bottom Line: Pu-erh tea is a type of Chinese tea that is traditionally consumed after meals. Some people believe that pu-erh tea can help with weight loss, and the ingredients would appear to back this up, given there are other teas that also provide benefits to weight loss.
Technically speaking, there are no strong scientific studies on humans, that provide rock-solid evidence to support this claim.