If you are looking for a natural and delicious way to lose weight, you may want to try banana tea. Banana tea is a banana-infused beverage made with whole bananas, hot water, and sometimes cinnamon or honey. You can make it with or without the peel, depending on your preferences.
Banana tea is not only tasty, but also has some health benefits that may support your weight loss goals. Here are some of the reasons why you should drink banana tea for weight loss.
Banana tea is low in calories
One of the main advantages of banana tea is that it is very low in calories. Unlike some other weight loss drinks that may contain added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or creamers, banana tea is made with simple and natural ingredients that do not add many calories to your diet.
A medium-sized banana has about 105 calories, but most of them are in the flesh, not the peel. If you make banana tea with the peel, you will consume even fewer calories, as you will discard the banana after brewing. If you make banana tea without the peel, you can eat the banana as a snack or use it in other recipes.
Banana tea is high in potassium and magnesium
Another benefit of banana tea is that it is high in potassium and magnesium, two minerals that are important for your health and weight loss. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, and muscle contractions. It also helps prevent bloating and water retention, which can make you look and feel heavier.
Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in your body, including energy production, muscle function, and blood sugar control. It also helps promote relaxation and sleep quality, which are essential for weight loss. Studies have shown that poor sleep can increase hunger, cravings, and stress hormones, which can lead to weight gain.
Banana tea is rich in antioxidants
Bananas are naturally high in water-soluble antioxidants, such as dopamine and gallocatechin, which can help fight free radicals and prevent chronic diseases like heart disease. Antioxidants can also help protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to obesity and metabolic disorders.
The peel of the banana has even more antioxidants than the flesh, so adding it to your tea can boost its antioxidant content. However, if you use the peel, make sure to wash it thoroughly before brewing to remove any dirt or pesticides.
Banana tea is easy to make and customize
One of the best things about banana tea is that it is very easy to make at home. All you need is a banana, some water, and a pot. You can also add some cinnamon or honey to enhance its flavor and sweetness. Here are the basic steps to make banana tea:
- Fill a pot with 2–3 cups (500–750 ml) of water and bring it to a boil.
- Gently rinse a whole banana under running water to remove dirt and debris.
- Leaving the peel on or off, slice off both ends.
- Add the banana to the boiling water.
- Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 10–15 minutes if using the peel or 5 minutes if not.
- Remove the banana from the water and enjoy the tea while it is still hot.
You can drink this tea every day to help you lose weight. You can also experiment with different ingredients and flavors to suit your taste buds. For example, you can add some ginger, turmeric, lemon, or mint to your banana tea for extra health benefits and variety.