Tea is an enjoyable beverage that comes in numerous varieties. From herbal detox tea and energy boosting green to anti-oxidant rich oolong varieties, there is something available to satisfy everyone’s taste and nutritional needs. But many forget that tea contains calories; therefore it is important to know exactly how much is being consumed to achieve weight loss and fitness goals.
Answering whether herbal tea contains calories depends entirely on what kind of tea and preparation method is chosen. While plain, unsweetened tea has minimal to no caloric intake, adding milk or sweeteners to it can significantly up its calorie count.
Herbal teas are generally composed of herbs, fruits and flowers instead of tea leaves; therefore making them naturally caffeine-free; however, depending on their blends they may still contain some carbohydrates; typically leeched from plants within their blend ranging from very little up to almost one full gram per cup.
A cup of brewed black tea contains about five grams of carbohydrates; green teas have slightly more at 6 g. Other varieties like white and oolong have less than one gram.
If you’re making your own tea at home, be mindful to avoid sweeteners or milk as these items can add significant calories that could hamper your ability to reach healthy eating goals. Instead, opt for skim milk or non-fat alternatives in order to ensure your drink remains free from additional calories.
Also, avoid adding whipped cream or flavor-infused syrups to your tea; these additions can increase calorie consumption significantly; therefore it is best to only include them occasionally.
Herbal teas can provide numerous health advantages, from supporting digestive health and immune function, to fighting free radical damage and lowering heart disease risk, while simultaneously lowering blood pressure and inflammation levels. They may even help in weight loss by suppressing appetites and improving metabolism.
Though herbal teas often boast of weight loss benefits that may seem exaggerated, there is evidence they can provide real health advantages. Some of these advantages include reduced bloat, improved digestion, increased metabolism and an energy boost; as well as helping overcome fatigue while relieving symptoms associated with depression anxiety insomnia stress as well as stomachaches flatulence constipation or other ailments such as arthritis.
