How Detox Tea Works and What are the Detox Tea Side Effects

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People have been trying to get rid of toxins from the body for thousands of years. Some ancient detox practices include enemas, bloodletting, sweat lodges, drinking detoxification teas, and fasting. These practices were even used as medical practices up until the early 20th century. Drinking detox tea has become a famous practice for people who wish to get rid of toxins. But have you ever thought about detox tea side effects? If not, in this article; we tell you everything about detox tea results and detox tea side effects. 

Like all dietary supplements, detox tea ingredients are not regulated by the food and drug administration. Moreover, recently some teas and other detoxifying weight loss products have found dangerous chemicals and drugs not advertised on the packaging. Though some detox tea might contain standard tea ingredients such as tea leaves, other teas could contain allergy-triggering or toxic substances, including medications and drugs.

Do Detox Tea Help To Lose Weight?

Typically, teas are widely consumed and are a healthy beverage. Green tea is thought to be healthy and has some chemicals that may boost weight loss. These substances are called catechins. However, experts say that more research is needed to thoroughly understand the effects of green tea on weight loss.

Many detox teas are sold with instructions for exercise and diet during the period of a week or more. These instructions might recommend healthy eating or eat very little. 

Eating very little, or eating more healthfully in addition to more exercise might result in weight loss. In other words, losing weight with detox tea might not result from the tea because you are increasing the caloric output and reducing the caloric intake.

Moreover, mostly detox tea contains high levels of caffeine. However, caffeine is seen naturally in most teas, high levels of caffeine work as a diuretic. It triggers the body to discharge water through urine and bowel movements. 

Detox Tea Side Effects

Some detox teas are harmless; they only consist of tea leaves. But other detox teas contain additional ingredients that could harm the health like senna, laxatives, high levels of caffeine, ephedra, medications.

The ingredients in detox tea are created to give you energy. They might also send you rushing to the toilet frequently. Emptying the bladder and colon might result in a small amount of weight loss. But what you are losing is just water–not toxins. This is not a safe and effective way to lose excess weight.

While these detox teas contain substances meant to speed up and be more active, they can cause dangerous problems such as heart attack, seizures, strokes, and death.

Diarrhea

Senna is an herbal laxative used to treat constipation. It is typically safe for some humans when it is used in balance. Other laxatives and senna are found in detox tea. These laxatives can cause severe diarrhea. Diarrhea can be dangerous if continued, as you might end up becoming very dehydrated.

Abdominal Discomfort, Cramps, Bloating, Nausea, and Gas

Detox teas commonly cause discomfort and abdominal pain. Nausea, Bloating, gas, and cramps are also common while consuming detox teas.

The high level of laxative and caffeine ingredients typically cause these symptoms; they put stress on the digestive system.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Going to the bathroom every now, and then means the body contains fewer fluids and could become dehydrated. It can reduce the levels of electrolyte in the blood. Electrolytes are essential for the muscles to function. An electrolyte imbalance can trigger an abnormal heart rhythm and muscle spasms; both are extremely serious issues.

Effects of too much Caffeine Consumption

Detox teas contain high levels of caffeine. It can cause other negative side effects besides diarrhea, dehydration, and other digestive issues. It includes restlessness, nervousness, irritation, anxiety, headache, ringing in the ears, agitation, fast breathing rate, and heart rate. 

Sleep Disruption

Too much intake of caffeine can cause sleep issues. Typically, intake up to 400 milligrams of caffeine—the same amount in four to five cups is thought to be safe for a healthy person.

However, the detox teas might contain much more caffeine than recommended to consume in a single day. So, this can lead to problems staying asleep and falling asleep.

Drug Interactions 

Detox teas might contain chemicals and herbs that can interact with certain prescriptions or over counter the medication you might take.

Diarrhea from the detox tea might also reduce the medication’s efficacy, as it rushes through the body system without being absorbed.

It is a common concern with hormonal birth control that must be taken daily in order to be effective.

Other ingredients in detox teas like grapefruit might increase the effects of any medications you are taking and cause serious side effects.

Precautions

Green tea does have several health benefits, but detox teas are not a proven weight-loss method. The FDA does not regulate detox tea ingredients lists. And that means detox tea sold in a store or online might contain possibly dangerous ingredients. 

There have been reported toxins, drugs, and other harmful chemicals that are found inside detox tea sold online.

In 2014, researchers found the antidepressant drug called fluoxetine (Prozac) in the Japanese detox tea called Toxin Discharged Tea. This drug can cause dangerous and life-threatening side effects, particularly when it is taken with other medications.

Final Words

Detox teas are sold widely in the market to help the body to get rid of toxins. In reality, several detox teas lead to water weight loss by making you go to the bathroom more often. Detox teas do not contain regulated ingredients. They might contain powerful laxatives, herbs, medications, illegal drugs, and a high caffeine level that can cause dangerous health or death. So we have mentioned above, all the possible side effects of detox tea, which are dangerous to your health. If you find this information useful, drop a comment below this section.