The Fasting Tea Option You’re Hearing About

It’s not uncommon to find your local gym full the first few weeks in January. When the new year rolls around, resolutions are made, intentions are set, and motivation is abundant. Because one of the most common resolutions every year is weight loss.

But a few weeks later life happens, motivation dwindles and all of a sudden everything goes back to the way it was before. The truth is, the new year isn’t the only time resolutions are made though. Motivation comes in waves and throughout the year people will try, try again to get “back on the horse.”

Every option to promote weight loss is brought to the table when motivation strikes again. Some people may try meditating, exercising, eating different foods, finding better ways to manage stress, and trying to get better sleep, just to name a few. Another one you may see popping up more and more – intermittent fasting.

What’s the skinny on intermittent fasting?

In recent years, intermittent fasting is used more and more as a weight loss method. And you might want to know if it’s right for you. As with most things, the short answer is: It depends. Let’s talk about it….

Intermittent fasting is a form of time-restricted eating. This means you have a window of time during your 24-hour day where you eat your allotted calories. The remaining time you fast, eating only a very small amount or more commonly, nothing at all.

Another fasting method involves cutting calories to about 500 for a few days and then following a regular eating pattern the other days of the week. And one of the most challenging methods is a 24-hour fast. This is exactly how it sounds. You don’t eat for a 24-hour period, say dinner one day to dinner the next day. This can be incorporated every so often to once or twice a week.

There is some research that suggests there may be other benefits of fasting, too. Some of these benefits include increasing energy levels, improving overall health, and lowering blood sugar. Others suggest fasting may reduce inflammation, boost brain and heart health, and help prevent cancer. While there’s still a lot of research that’s needed, intermittent fasting can have its advantages.

A happy woman sitting at the kitchen counter eating dinner.

Should you fast? Well, every body is different. The same way everyone has different food preferences or physiological responses to food (think allergies), individuals will respond to intermittent fasting differently. The Mayo Clinic suggests fasting is safe for many people but may not be right for everyone. This includes women who may be pregnant or breastfeeding, or those who have certain medical problems. It’s important to always seek the advice of a professional before starting a new fasting regime.

You might also be wondering what you can have during fasting days or periods of fasting. The go to is going to be non-caloric beverages, such as water, black coffee and tea. Berberine tea has been increasing in popularity as a good fasting tea option.

What is berberine tea?

A drawing of berberine herbs, used in fasting tea.

Berberine tea is an herbal tea. It was a traditional ingredient used in Chinese medicine to treat many things from weight loss to gastrointestinal issues and infections. It’s a phytonutrient found in many different types of plants. Some of the more well-known plants are European barberry, goldthread, phellodendron and Oregon grape.

Berberine is sometimes described as the “new turmeric.” It has similar properties to turmeric and both are classified as an alkaloid. Turmeric and berberine also share a bright yellow color.

Berberine has a bitter taste and could have significant health benefits for some people.

Potential health benefits of berberine:

It can have a strong effect on cardiovascular health and reduce cardiovascular disease.
It can help regulate heart rhythm and prevent heart arrhythmia. It can also decrease the arrhythmic effects that caffeine can have on the heart.
It may increase heart muscle performance and decrease the risk of a heart attack.
A decrease in blood pressure.
It protects against ischemia (lack of oxygen)
It’s an anticoagulant, meaning it helps protect against blood clotting.
It can decrease infectious diarrhea. This is significant because diarrhea can also cause severe dehydration. If you develop an infection causing diarrhea, berberine can help reduce the symptoms.
Berberine is a natural antibiotic. It can help kill bacteria and reduce swelling.
It boosts the immune system, which may help prevent infections and illnesses.
Berberine has anti-tumor properties, which means it may help prevent cancers.
It has anti-diabetic properties. It can decrease blood sugar levels and helps with insulin resistance.
It’s an anti-inflammatory and anti-viral, which again helps with the immune system.

Are there benefits of drinking more tea?

We mentioned all the great potential health benefits above. But drinking tea can promote health in other ways too. Every type of tea (green tea, black tea, herbal tea, etc.) has its own unique properties and health benefits.

Also, if you’re fasting, drinking a cup of (black) coffee or a cup of tea can help stave off hunger pangs and curb your appetite. Having a cup of herbal tea before bed is a great way to relax and reduce stress. It can also help calm your body and help you wind down for bedtime.

One of the biggest benefits of adding more tea into your daily routine is hydration. Drinking more tea means you drink more water. Our bodies depend on water for basic survival and optimal health.

Getting tired of plan water or tea? It’s super easy to drink more and stay hydrated. Pack True Lemon citrus wedges in your bag or purse to take with you anywhere you go. Just open and pour a packet into your water bottle, your glass at a restaurant or that to-go cup from your local coffee shop run.

These convenient packs come in delicious citrus flavors (lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange) and are made from real lemon juice and oils. AND there are no artificial sweeteners. Only a burst of flavor for delicious hydration.