The Risks of Laxative Teas

The benefits of drinking tea are well known, but theres one type of tea thats best left on the store shelf. Laxative teas or dieters teas as theyre sometimes called can have serious side effects if consumed in large amounts. These teas have become popular, particularly among young people, as a way to "detoxify" and lose weight and have been made popular by celebrities who use them as a way to shed pounds quickly without dieting. The public seems to be responding by buying boxes of laxative teas in record numbers.

The popularity of laxative teas arises from the belief that they cleanse the body of toxins and help to prevent weight gain. Most of these teas contain a variety of herbal ingredients including senna, buckthorn, rhubarb root, licorice root, cascara, aloe, and other natural ingredients derived from plants. Some types of laxative teas may be labeled as detox or dieters teas on store shelves to de-emphasize their laxative effects.

Although these teas stimulate more frequent bowel movements, theyre unlikely to cause real weight loss since they act at the level of the large intestine and colon, while fat and calories are absorbed by the small intestine. People who use these laxative teas are often grateful to see the numbers on the scale drop, not realizing that the weight loss is mostly water weight due to the frequent diarrhea.

Even more disturbing are the potential side effects of laxative teas. Not only do these teas cause diarrhea, but they can also be associated with significant abdominal cramping and digestive disturbances including vomiting. Using large amounts of laxative tea for long periods of time can actually cause long term problems with constipation as colon function becomes sluggish due to excessive laxative use.

An even more serious side effect of laxative teas is the potential for potassium levels to drop in response to the excessive diarrhea caused by these teas. When potassium levels drop, it can affect the function of the heart resulting in heart rhythm abnormalities which can be life threatening in some cases.

The bottom line? Use of laxative teas isnt recommended for either weight control or detoxification. Theres little evidence that they promote safe weight loss or that they provide any kind of detoxification benefits. The side effects of laxative teas arent worth the limited benefits they may have. As always, the best way to lose weight is through a healthy diet and exercise plan.