Passing across the shelves loaded with packets of green tea from different brands at store, I wondered how marketing and packaging have influenced our lives so deeply. Not long before Green tea sachets made way into our kitchen, drops of honey dissolved in hot water was believed to be the home remedy for weight loss. We are all under constant pressure of maintaining our looks and keeping weight in check is a challenge that most of us need to overcome; considering our changing lifestyle.
While social media and selfies keep reminding us about how essentially, we need to maintain our physique in right shape, businesses are marketing newer ideas and remedies to earn profits from our insecurities. One such commercial boom is seen in consumption of green tea for weight reduction. So, what is green tea? And does it really work magic to reduce weight?
While we can find several publications on internet bragging about the antioxidant properties of green tea and how it improves blood flow and reduces cholesterol. What we rarely come across is the discussion about the caffeine and tannin content in green tea. The tannins tend to interfere the absorption of iron in body leading to iron deficiency in long run. And over consumption of caffeine is known to cause anxiety and sleeplessness. Alongside if your green tea is coming in tea bags, you can’t be sure about the synthetic component and quality of the tea bag and the threats they pose to your body while you sip your dose of green tea coming through it.
So, what is the core ingredient of green tea which is key behind reducing weight and barely poses any side effects. The magic element is the “hot water”. Water is one of the Pancha- Mahabhuta (05 essential elements) forming life. From an ayurvedic perspective maintaining a balance between water and air inside the body is key to loosing weight. The Ayurvedic principle behind treating obesity works deeper on removing the cause than just surface healing. In other words, obesity treatment in Ayurveda doesn’t limit to shedding kilos, it is about removing Ama (toxins), Kapha Dosha and excess fat to correct irregular metabolism and to strengthen the digestive and tissue fire. And hot water is the key prescription for treating weight gain in Ayurveda:
Hot water raises body temperature, which speeds up the rate of metabolism and the excretion of urine. An increased metabolic rate allows the body to burn more calories throughout the day. However, despite all the benefits, drinking hot water after consuming excessive alcohol can be avoided. Hot water can also be avoided in cases of dizziness, delirium, burning sensation or diarrhea. Hot water is unpalatable for anyone who tries it for the first time. While our brains are programmed to perceive water simply for quenching thirst, accepting the hotter version of plain water as a medical remedy or as a weight reducing agent doesn’t go easy with our taste buds and mind. Adding a pinch of honey or aromatizing it with herbs makes hot water more palatable and this simple hack has built the gigantic green tea industry. Next time you make up your mind on losing weight, heat water until it reaches its boiling point and fill your cup solely with this natural remedy. And if you find it too difficult to gulp down the bland liquid, dropping few seeds of fennel can add the essence for you.
For queries you can contact @ [email protected]
Dr. Pratheeksha Shetty
Ayurvedic Wellness & Beauty Consultant
Mangalore
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