Lose Weight with Yoga Tea

As we forge ahead into a new year, many of us who benignly overindulged during the holidays are making resolutions to lose weight. Research suggests that over half of a person's yearly weight gain occurs during the holiday season. An easy, healthy way to control weight is to drink warm, spiced tea, known as Yoga Tea. Yoga Tea contains green or black tea and stimulating spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger. It's especially comforting to drink during cold winter days.

According to yoga's sister science, Ayurveda, warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger stimulate the metabolism by lighting the fires of digestion (called agni). These stimulating spices boost the body's metabolism and facilitate efficient calorie burning. Research has shown that green and black teas contains polyphenol antioxidants that help lower body fat and cholesterol, as well as help prevent obesity and cancer.

Green tea, derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, contains potent antioxidants called EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate). Studies suggest that green tea antioxidants EGCG can boost belly fat loss in overweight people. Another study published in Diabetes Care, found that cinnamon contains potent terpenoid compounds that may promote glucose (sugar) metabolism and fat metabolism.

YOGA TEA

Yoga Tea contains delicious spices and tea that stimulate agni digestive fire, reduce body fat, and warm up the body and soul.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups spring or filtered water
1 bag (or 1 teaspoon) green or black tea (if sensitive to caffeine, substitute with decaffeinated tea)
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole clove
small slice fresh ginger
2 tablespoons soy milk, almond milk or non-fat milk (optional)
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
2. Add the tea and spices. Let steep for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the tea bag (or strain the tea leaves), cinnamon stick, clove and ginger. If desired, add the soymilk and honey. Serve immediately.

Sources

Gavalas, Elaine. The Yoga Minibook for Weight Loss. Simon & Schuster Fireside. elainegavalas.com .

Maki KC et al. Green Tea Catechin Consumption Enhances Exercise-Induced Abdominal Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults. J Nutr 2009 Feb;139(2):264-270..

Wang H et al. Effects of Catechin Enriched Green Tea on Body Composition. Obesity 2010 Apr;18(4):773-9. Epub 2009 Aug 13.

Thielecke F et al. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and postprandial fat oxidation in overweight/obese male volunteers: a pilot study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2010 Apr 7 [Epub ahead of print].

Khan A et al. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-3218.