Working out at the gym to lose weight might seem like a task but if you’re looking for a simpler method, what better way to help you achieve weight loss than just drinking tea to burn belly fat and shape up? Here are 11 ways you can lose up to 7 kg of weight by drinking different kinds of teas.

1. Drink green tea

Green tea is one of the most popular kinds of teas to help you lose weight. According to Dugarr, green tea is rich in antioxidants as it is one of the least processed types of tea. He explains, “Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG which is an antioxidant present in green tea helps stimulate the metabolism of the body.” The faster your metabolism, the more energy your body burns and the easier it is for you to lose weight. Dugarr suggests that an active lifestyle supplemented with green tea will aid in losing extra weight and maintaining your Body Mass Index.

2. Drink green tea post workout

You know that your time at the gym has been a productive one if you find your heart rate having increased incredibly after an intensive workout session. Dugarr explains that when you work out and your heart beats faster than usual, your muscles are susceptible to soreness and injury. So, if you drink green tea immediately after a workout, it calms you down by reducing your heart rate to a considerable extent. At the same time it sends signals to your brain to burn fat cells. “The antioxidants in green tea safeguard the muscles from inflammation while turning fat cells into energy which aids in weight loss,” he adds.

3. Drink matcha

Matcha is a finely ground form of green tea, the leaves of which are grown in shade to let nutrients concentrate in the leaves. This also produces a pleasant flavour profile. The Epigallocatechin Gallate, or EGCG, the major antioxidant that enhances metabolism is present in much larger amounts in matcha than regular green tea, says Dugarr.

4. Drink red tea

Red tea is also known as Rooibos and is a great alternative for green tea or white tea, especially if you’re looking for ways to de-stress. Dugarr points out that red tea is derived from a South African red bush called Aspalathus linearis and he says that technically, it is not tea but a herb. “The herbal tea is naturally free of caffeine and low on calories. It is a great substitute for high-calorie sugary drinks and over a period helps in shedding some weight,” he elaborates. According to research, it contains a flavonoid called Aspalathin which helps soothe your mind and reduce stress hormones that trigger hunger and storage of fat. It can also help curb several diseases that these hormones are linked to such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and hypertension among certain others.

5. Consume green tea before a meal

The active ingredient EGCG present in green tea helps boost levels of cholecystokinin or CCK which is a hunger-curbing hormone. Green tea is comparatively lighter than black tea and does not cause acidity, as per Dugarr. However, he recommends not having any tea on an empty stomach. Dugarr suggests drinking tea in between meals and not less than half an hour prior to it. This results in you feeling full for longer and also reducing your appetite.