In the modern day world, the majority of the people, ranging from teenagers to older adults, want to be healthy and stay in shape. Many prefer beginning their journey of fitness and a healthier lifestyle from home remedies.
Herbs have traditionally been used from a long time ago for losing weight and in the treatment of various other diseases.
Some herbal supplements work directly while others induce weight loss by affecting the body mechanisms or biological pathways. Their incorporation and contribution in any plan for weight loss work in weight reduction.
The significance of any particular herbs appears depending on its possible impacts on the body. With research, the confidence over using herbs for weight reduction has increased. This advancement has also led to knowledge about how herbs work.
The benefit of using herbs for weight loss appears when the loss is permanent. According to Cleveland Clinic, the herbal products are not effective in this regard and they don’t cause weight loss permanently.
There are various mechanisms through which herbs induce this change. Some of the products having diuretic and laxative effect act to stimulate the serotonin level in the body. It helps to feel full ending urge for more food.
Some other herbs like Guarana, Dandelion, and Cascara may cause water-weight loss instead of fat loss from the body. Such herbs are also known for their diuretic or laxative effect. The digestion process slows down with the action of Dandelion.
As a result of slow digestion, there is a lesser urge for food and you don’t feel hunger quite earlier after eating any whole food. In contrary, Guarana and Yerba stimulate the metabolism process due to the presence of stimulants in it.
Caffeine is a major stimulant present in herbs. It causes a temporary increase in metabolism for a shorter period of time, thus causing a digestion at a relatively rapid rate.
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What Are the Best Herbs for Weight Loss?
- Ginger
Ginger possesses a high nutritional value containing all essential vitamins, macro, and micronutrients. Being rich in dietary fiber, ginger contributes a lot in reducing weight. It also contains some important active phytochemicals. They play a role to impart medicinal properties to it.
Ginger also improves the digestion by increasing the metabolic activity by 20% than normal. The essential nutrients are absorbed rapidly in the body. The energy expenditure of body also increases driving the process of digestion, as a response burning up more of the fats stored in the body.
It reduces hunger to a greater level. By less intake of food, the net calorie gain is also low. All food that has been ingested, tailors the body energy requirements to carry out body functions. Also, prefer eating low-calorie food instead of heavy one.
- Dandelion
The list of potential benefits associated with dandelion makes it an important herb for various medical purposes. Being rich in essential nutrients and vitamins, this flowering plant is perfect to use as a herb for making tea.
Dandelion is also available as supplements in form of dried leaves, roots, or tincture. For using it against increasing weight, it is preferred to prepare dandelion tea with dried leaves.
The main precursor found in dandelion is the phytochemicals it contains including beta-sitosterol, taraxacin, caffeic acid, alkaloids, and pectin. They are known to impart its diuretic and laxative properties.
The dandelion also stimulates the bile secretion from liver and aids digestion. Its diuretic action increases the weight loss by increasing the volume and frequency of urination to get rid of extra weight water.
- Garcinia Cambogia
Have you ever heard of inhibitors? Garcinia works to inhibit the action of digestive enzymes in the body. The phytochemicals which are derivatives of citric acid like hydroxycitric acid (HCA) inhibits the function of citrate lyase.
You can easily find them at medical health care centers in form of supplements as tablets, capsules, and powders. The hydro citrate acid content makes them good to use for weight loss as it suppresses the appetite and blocks the assimilation of carbohydrates and fats.
- Guarana
Burn your stored body fats by using guarana. The caffeine content of guarana makes it a good stimulant for weight loss because of the diuretic effect. It results in weight loss due to water but fats are at their place.
The presence of caffeine also makes it a stimulant, and fats are burned this way due to increase in physical activity. So care must be taken while combining it with other herbal remedies or stimulants. It may result in high blood pressure.
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- Green Tea
Green tea is among most common teas of all time and is now grown in various parts of the world. Green tea is characterized by high level of anti-oxidants including polyphenols and Vitamin C.
Slightly oxidized leaves of Camellia sinensis are used to prepare tea. Its thermogenic properties stimulate the metabolism and burn body fats rapidly if taken regularly. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition carried out research to find its potential in weight loss.
In an experiment, green teas caused significant weight loss in individuals when 690 mg of green tea extract was given them over 3 months period. It showed positive impacts in removing body fats and water weight. So don’t wait and add green tea bags on your grocery list.
- Cocoa
Have you ever thought of using raw cocoa beans for making tea? Raw cocoa is known to contain no fats and is also rich in nutrients thus making it good for health. Cocoa works to inhibit the digestive enzymes in a body including lipases and amylases.
Cocoa beans also act to increase the release of adiponectin which is a protein hormone produced in adipose tissues. This hormone is released into blood reducing the number of fats which get stored in the body, thus reducing the weight.
- Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is herbal extract which reduces the body weight by suppressing appetite. Caffeine, theobromine and other phytochemicals act as a stimulant to reduce weight. The alkaloids reduce the body weight by reducing the appetite.
Along with suppression of appetite, it also promotes increased metabolism causing diuresis. This double action increases the fat loss and eliminates water from the body causing weight loss.
What Are the Things You Should Keep In Mind Before Using Herbs?
Herbs act as a potent stimulant and increase the physical activity by stimulating muscles. They may reduce the cravings for food. Some act as thermogenic agent and increase the thyroid functioning which in response increases metabolic rate.
Prevention of fat accumulation and fast fat metabolism burns the fats and generates energy for carrying out various daily activities. This results in immediate release of energy and elimination from the body by conversion of carbohydrates to stored fat.
Herbs reduce triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein level in the body. They are referred to as bad cholesterol, while most of the herbs increase the high-density lipoprotein level in body referred as good cholesterol.
Besides the potential list of benefits be cautious about the dosage of herbs. Herbs also have their associated side effects which may cause threat when taken in high doses. Elderly, children and pregnant women should be careful while using herbs.
Consult a medical practitioner before using herbal supplements. Always follow the prescription to avoid their reaction in a body or with drugs if taken.
