Weight loss naturally
How to boost weight loss, naturally
There are a million and one articles offering weight loss advice and a new dieting fad every day of the week.
Do this. Don’t do that. Eat this. Don’t eat that.
So if you’re exploring how to boost weight loss naturally, it can quickly lead you down a rabbit hole of where-do-I-even-begin?
At Ayusa Tea, we like to keep weight loss simple. More of the good stuff — water, sleep, exercise, greens and of course, Guayusa tea (our favourite natural weight loss drink).
It’s important to note, we’re not medical professionals. This article is written from our own experience and draws on research wherever necessary.
We’re also not advocates for dieting culture and quick-fix weight loss solutions. We believe in a healthy, sustainable lifestyle full of nourishing foods that support your metabolism.
With that being said, let’s explore weight loss the natural way…
7 Ways to Promote Weight Loss, Naturally
Water
The human body is made up of around 60% water. [1] So it’s little wonder why this life-giving liquid supports so much of our everyday bodily functions.
Drinking water can promote weight loss by suppressing your appetite, boosting metabolism, burning fat and removing waste. Water can take up room in the stomach and send signals to your brain to say you’re full (thirst can sometimes be masked as hunger).
A 2014 study looked at the effect of drinking 1.5L of water (in addition to their usual water intake) in 50 females. [2] They drank 500mL before breakfast, lunch and dinner for 8 weeks. The results found a reduction in appetite, body weight, body fat and body mass index.
Sleep
The medical community is still exploring the relationship between sleep and weight loss.
Some common hypotheses are that…
- lack of sleep can increase appetite
- adequate sleep can increase metabolism
- sleep restriction may slow or prevent weight loss efforts.
One study looked at the effects of moderate sleep restriction (SR) on body weight, body composition and metabolic variables in individuals on a calorie-restricted diet. [5] The results found that those adults with reduced sleep time (reduced by 1 hour for 5 nights a week) led to less fat loss than those getting a full night’s sleep.
Exercise
Few people will argue the benefits of exercise.
Weight loss aside, exercise can improve brain health, strengthen bones and muscles, boost mood, and reduce the risk of disease.
When looking at the research, weight loss results from physical activity can vary significantly, most likely because calorie intake and diet also play a big role (which may not be considered when reviewing physical activity alone).
The type of exercise you do is important, too. Strength training can help build lean body mass, which in turn enhances weight loss.
Finally, exercise should be used in conjunction with a healthy, nutritious diet.
Chilli
Love it or hate it, there’s a potential link between spicy food and natural weight loss.
One study found capsaicin (the active component in chilli peppers) could increase resting energy expenditure and activate metabolism in young adults experiencing obesity. [10]
It’s important to add, you probably won’t lose weight just by pouring sriracha sauce over every meal and munching on chilli — you’ll need to balance it with the right amount of nutrition and exercise.
Ginger
Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for various health concerns. And natural weight loss is one of them.
A 2018 review found that ginger could increase thermogenesis (fat burning), prevent fat absorption in the intestines and control appetite. [11] This suggests that if used alongside other factors (like sleep, exercise and good nutrition) it could help to manage weight.
Leafy Greens
You almost feel healthier just by looking at dark leafy greens.
Leaves like kale, spinach, rocket and lettuce may lend a helping hand when it comes to losing weight. They’re full of vitamins, minerals, fibre, iron, calcium, magnesium and more.
Because an important thing we’ve learnt about weight loss is that it’s not just about cutting calories, it’s also about fuelling your body with the right nutrients. And leafy greens are a powerhouse of nutrients while also being low in calories.
Tea
When we talk about tea, we’re primarily talking about hot beverages derived from the camellia sinensis plant (the most common types being black tea, oolong tea, white tea and green tea).
These teas have an abundance of antioxidants called “catechins” which research suggests can speed up metabolism, break down excess fat and increase the amount of energy the body uses. [13]
Tea also contains caffeine, which can help energise the body and encourage you to burn more fat.
But as with any other food or drink, tea also needs to be balanced with exercise and diet.
Spotlight on Guayusa Tea — our Favourite Tea for Natural Weight Loss
Interested in the weight loss potential of tea?
We’ve got another blend for you to try — Guayusa.
Though technically not a tea, Guayusa (pronounced why-you-sah) is a nourishing, health-giving leaf harvested from a type of Holly tree. It’s grown and harvested by Kichwa tribes deep within the Ecuadorian Amazon.
The benefits of Guayusa are diverse and plentiful. It can…
- Naturally boost energy (without the jitters)
- Increase focus
- Boost immunity
- Aid digestion
- Improve mood
- Stabilise blood sugar
And above all that, the caffeine content in Guayusa may help promote weight loss and lead to BMI reduction. [14] Not only that, Guayusa contains theobromine and chlorogenic acid which can affect the metabolism, lower blood sugar, burn fat and reduce inflammation.
Now we know what you might be thinking. If Guayusa’s so beneficial, why haven’t I heard of it before?
Truth is, it’s been a long-held secret amongst Kichwa tribes in Ecuador. For them, it’s morning ritual, medicine, livelihood and source of connection.
Now the rest of the world is catching on. At Ayusa Tea, we’re proud to be one of the first to bring this nourishing brew to Australia.
We have three incredible Guayusa blends to assist you on your weight loss journey…
- Pure Guayusa for a subtle, smooth and full-bodied flavour
- Guayusa and Cinnamon Myrtle for an added cinnamon aroma
- Guayusa and Anise Myrtle for a subtle liquorice flavour
With every purchase, we donate $1 to the Ecuadorian Foundation Conciencia Amazonica so they can continue sharing Guayusa with the world.
Resources:
- https://hub.jhu.edu/at-work/2020/01/15/focus-on-wellness-drinking-more-water/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4121911/
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep
- https://theconversation.com/why-sleep-is-so-important-for-losing-weight-145058
- https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/41/5/zsy027/4846324?login=false
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925973/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925973/
- https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/does-exercise-help-you-lose-weight
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27899046/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29530622/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193411/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320540#weight-loss
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20156466/
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2018.1507996