Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • Reviews
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Arnold Classic
      • Mr. Olympia
      • Results
      • 2022 WSM
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • Reviews
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Arnold Classic
      • Mr. Olympia
      • Results
      • 2022 WSM
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Fasting
Evidence Based
Evidence Based Research
This article was written by one of our qualified writers, and fact-checked by our experts. The numbers in parentheses (e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.) throughout the article, are reference links to peer-reviewed studies.
Our team of experts include a board-certified physician, nutritionists, dietitians, certified personal trainers, strength training experts, and exercise specialists.
Read Our Editorial Process

Tea and Intermittent Fasting: Can You Drink Tea While Fasting?

Know the dos and don’ts of drinking tea while fasting.

Dr. Rashmi Byakodi

Written by Dr. Rashmi Byakodi

Last Updated onOctober 9, 2022

Drink Tea While Fasting

Drink Tea While Fasting

In This Article
  • What’s in a Cup of Tea
  • Will Tea Break Your Fast
  • Best Teas For Fasting
  • Black and Green Tea Difference
  • Matcha Tea
  • Tea with IF Benefits
  • Things To Avoid
  • FAQs
  • Wrapping Up

Being one of the most popular beverages, many people drink tea not once but several times a day. But what if you are fasting? Do you think it is alright to drink tea when fasting? This article discusses everything you should know about tea consumption while intermittent fasting. 

Intermittent fasting involves cycling between voluntary fasting and non-fasting over a given period. There are several fasting methods, including time-restricted plans such as the 16:8 or 14:10, among other fasting practices like 24-hours fasting, alternate-day fasting, etc. 

However, you should keep yourself hydrated while fasting. Let us discuss if you can include sugar-free tea in your fasting regimen. 

What’s in a Cup of Tea?

Are you wondering if a cup of tea will break your fast? You are not alone.

Tea With Milk

Fasting is impacted by anything which triggers an insulin response. Unsweetened tea may not cause an insulin spike or yield calories, so you can consider drinking it during your fast.

However, it is essential to note that adding sugar, milk, or honey to your tea will not only break your fast but will also add calories, thereby diminishing the overall purpose of intermittent fasting. A cup of tea with full-fat milk contains nearly 200 calories, while that with non-fat milk may have 160 calories.

Interestingly, some studies suggest that tea consumption is inversely associated with obesity. [1]

However, adding it to your fasting regimen may need some regulation, especially if you don’t wish to pile calories and banish the very purpose of fasting.

Will Tea Break Your Fast?

Studies indicate that you can consume unsweetened tea or coffee during a fast without breaking it. [2]

Notably, there are no restrictions on non-caloric beverages while fasting. You can consume as many calorie-free beverages, including tea, during intermittent fasting. Some studies reveal that drinking tea, especially green tea, during fasting periods can help you deal with hunger pangs. [3]

You’ll experience fullness when you drink fluids, even when they are not sugar or calorie-loaded. So, drinking tea might deceive your body by keeping you satiated during a fast.

Best Teas While Fasting

From plain loose tea leaves to exotic herbal tea bags, teas come in various forms allowing you to choose from the extensive options available. If you are selecting teas for your fasting phase, you should pick the ones that benefit you. 

Here are the best teas to consume while on a fast:

Ginger Tea

It is known to soothe an upset or irritable stomach. Moreover, the strong tea flavor can help calm your mood and emotions. It can also help improve your fasting blood sugar levels. [4]

Hot Ginger Tea
Hot Ginger Tea

Hibiscus Tea

With its well-regarded calming effect, this tea can be used by hypertensive people as it can effectively reduce blood pressure. [5]

Green Tea

It has long been used to aid weight loss. It is also known to boost energy, regulate healthy glucose and metabolism, and help you get through tough fasting periods as it can keep you feeling satiated [6]. Green tea can curb appetite, deliver a solid dose of antioxidants, prevent diseases, reduce cholesterol levels and rejuvenate your skin.

Green Tea
Green Tea

Although green tea or black tea are popular fasting choices, you can also try herbal tea. While staying guilt-free, several herbal teas can be added to your fasting tea list.

Black tea can help in weight loss and quick regaining. It prevents atherosclerosis, can slow down cholesterol liver synthesis, might reduce inflammation, and has antioxidant effects.

You can check out various herbal teas in the market, such as oolong tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, rooibos tea, etc. Herbal teas provide anti-stress effects, improve digestion, enhance heart health, strengthen immunity, and prevent colds. Their calming properties can help you deal with fasting-related fatigue and insomnia. And lastly, if you already haven’t, you can also try dandelion or nettle tea.

Related: Best green teas and green tea extracts.

Black Tea and Green Tea: The Difference

What you see in the market as black or green tea is derived from the same tea plant. The only difference is in the way they are processed. While black tea leaves are fermented, their green counterparts are not.

Green Tea and Black Tea
Green Tea and Black Tea

The probiotic properties of fermentation make black tea an excellent option for promoting balanced gut health. On the other hand, fermentation decreases the level of antioxidants present in black tea while elevating its caffeine level slightly compared to green tea. 

Recent studies indicate that the temperature of tea served is equally essential to derive optimal benefits from it. [7]

While traditionally, brewing tea in hot water was the standard process, recent studies indicate that this can cause oxidation, destroying a substantial amount of the catechins and polyphenols responsible for providing you with the health benefits you seek. 

The contemporary school of thought proposes that adding cold water to your tea allows the polyphenols and catechins to maximally extract their properties without destroying them. The crystallization process makes it easier for the tea to dissolve at any water temperature.

Fasting With Matcha Tea

Over the last few years, matcha green tea has been gaining the spotlight with its antioxidant properties that can enhance the body’s cholecystokinin (CCK) levels.

Matcha Tea
Matcha Tea

CCK hormones can suppress hunger and activate the digestion of fats and proteins you consume. Consuming matcha green tea during intermittent fasting can promote healthy weight loss and help control your appetite. It has been known to boost your immunity and energy levels.  

While matcha tea encourages fasting metabolism, it also increases the body’s ability to recycle resources and heal them, akin to autophagy. So, if you are practicing intermittent fasting and drink matcha tea free of additives, you may benefit from ketogenesis and insulin sensitivity. Matcha is almost calorie-free and rich in most fasting-friendly compounds. Fasting with matcha tea can enhance the body’s natural ability to detox and eliminate toxins while safeguarding it from oxidative stress. 

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting With Tea

While intermittent fasting involves cycling between fasting and eating windows, you can always soothe yourself with tea while practicing any such diet plan. Just make sure to not add calories to the beverage through sugar, milk, or artificial sweeteners. Here are some ways in which your body can benefit from drinking tear while fasting:

1. Calm Hunger Without Interfering With Your Fasting Schedule

Adjusting to a new fasting regimen may take a few days. But hunger is real and you might sometimes feel quite hungry during the initial stages. During such times you can appease your hunger with green tea as it can calm and ease the discomfort.

Unlike a cup of coffee that can leave you feeling jittery, green tea, hibiscus or ginger can calm and help you focus through the fasting period. Also, research indicates that a specific compound and antioxidant known as catechins found in tea may aid in reducing the production of ghrelin. Ghrelin is a hunger hormone produced in the stomach that signals your brain that your stomach is empty and ready to eat. [8]

2. Enhanced Weight Loss

Tea can trigger weight loss, but it should be calorie and sweetener-free.

Enhanced Weight Loss

3. Tea Can Act As Your Health Support System 

Your tea contains polyphenols which act as super antioxidants for your gut health. Research reveals that tea could favorably regulate your gut microbiome profile [9]. While most tea leaves offer such benefits, ginger, hibiscus, or green tea offer the best results. 

4. Tea Can Increase Relaxation 

While there are proven advantages of intermittent fasting, initial starvation can cause temporary stress. Studies indicate green and black tea contains an amino acid that can lower your stress levels. [10]

5. Aids Detox

Drinking tea during intermittent fasting can help your body’s natural detoxification process. This process is called autophagy, where protein activation helps the body flush out damaged cells and encourage the generation of new ones.

Autophagy can preserve muscle mass and prevent aging and many age-related diseases. When your body is fasting, the catechins in tea trigger autophagy, allowing the body to detox and rebuild cells. If you aim to eliminate free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, drinking tea can help you lose weight and detoxify. 

The body’s natural detoxification patterns heighten during a fasting period. Adding your favorite herbal tea to the mix can benefit your body by aiding the process. 

Things To Avoid When Introducing Tea To Your Fasting Plan

Here is how to make the most of tea in your intermittent fasting plan:

No Sugar or Sweeteners

If you wish to include tea in your IF regimen, it certainly has to be unsweetened. Adding milk or creamer should be ruled out as such ingredients contain calories.

Moderation is Key

While black, green, or herbal tea does not contain calories, it does not mean you can have countless cups a day. Remember, be it tea or coffee, they contain caffeine, just that the levels may vary. Caffeine overconsumption can cause side effects such as irritability, anxiety, lethargy, and headache, which can disrupt your fasting goals. Also, too much green tea can interfere with your body’s iron absorption levels. Hence, you should not consume more than three to four cups of tea a day.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How can drinking tea help me when fasting?

You don’t necessarily need to consume tea when fasting. Tea lovers can drink unsweetened tea during their fasting period if they wish to. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, aid digestion, and deliver antioxidants.

Can I lose weight by drinking tea while fasting?

Unsweetened teas may not cause an insulin spike and can help you achieve your fitness goals as planned through your intermittent fasting schedule. Drinking tea offers certain health benefits, such as boosting your immune system and promoting overall well-being, which can contribute to your fasting results.

Can I only drink green tea while fasting?

No, you can also include various herbal teas and black tea in your fasting plan. Every tea type has its benefits. Make sure to keep your tea unsweetened and calorie-free. Plus, stay well-hydrated while fasting.

Learn more about fasting

  • 12/12 vs. 16/8 Intermittent Fasting: Everything You Need To Know
  • How Long Does it Take to See Results From Intermittent Fasting?
  • Healthy Eating Made Easy: A Complete 7-Day Meal Plan for 16/8 Intermittent Fasting
  • Does Taking Vitamins Break A Fast? — Debunking the Myths
  • The Ultimate 60-Hour Fast: Tips, Benefits, and Preparation for Improved Health
  • The Surprising Connection Between Low Blood Pressure and Intermittent Fasting: What You Need to Know
  • 10 Signs That Indicate You Should Stop Water Fasting
  • Break Through the Intermittent Fasting Plateau: 7 Tips and Tricks to Reignite Fat Loss
  • 7 Amazing Intermittent Fasting Results You Should Know About
  • Water Fasting Weight Loss Calculator
  • Find out if Bulletproof Coffee Breaks Your Fast
  • Does Salt Break a Fast? Exploring the Science Behind Fasting and Salt Intake
  • Maximize Muscle Growth and Boost Metabolism with Intermittent Fasting (Tips for Success)
  • Unleash the Power of Fat Fasting: A Guide to Boosting Ketone Levels and Jumpstarting Weight Loss
  • Anabolic Fasting: Learn About Building Muscle and Losing Fat Simultaneously

Concluding Thoughts

Tea leaves brewed in water are calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. They can also keep you calm and relaxed through the fasting periods while keeping your cravings at bay. 

You should also drink plenty of other calorie-free fluids while fasting to maintain electrolyte balance and stay hydrated and energized throughout the day. We hope this article has cleared all your doubts about drinking tea while intermittent fasting. If you still have questions, let us know in the comments below. 

References

  1. Vernarelli, Jacqueline A., and Joshua D. Lambert. “Tea Consumption Is Inversely Associated with Weight Status and Other Markers for Metabolic Syndrome in U.S. Adults.” PubMed Central (PMC), 10 July 2012
  2. Templeman, Iain, et al. “Intermittent Fasting, Energy Balance and Associated Health Outcomes in Adults: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial – PMC. .” PubMed Central (PMC), 2 Feb. 2018
  3. The study, by Johann, et al. “Appetite-Suppressing and Satiety-Increasing Bioactive Phytochemicals: A Systematic Review – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 17 Sept. 2019
  4. Khandouzi, Nafiseh, et al. “The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC)
  5. Jalalyazdi, Majid, et al. “Effect of Hibiscus Sabdariffa on Blood Pressure in Patients with Stage 1 Hypertension – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC)
  6. Chacko, Sabu M., et al. “Beneficial Effects of Green Tea: A Literature Review – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 6 Apr. 2010
  7. Islami, F., et al. “A Prospective Study of Tea Drinking Temperature and Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 20 Mar. 2019
  8. “Effect of Green Tea on Plasma Leptin and Ghrelin Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Jan. 2018
  9. “Tea Compounds and the Gut Microbiome: Findings from Trials and Mechanistic Studies – PubMed.” PubMed, 3 Oct. 2019
  10. “L-Theanine, a Natural Constituent in Tea, and Its Effect on Mental State – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Jan. 2008
Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn
Categories: Diet Diet Plans Fasting Nutrition
Previous Post

Michal Krizo Earns IFBB Pro Card With A Win At 2022 Amateur Olympia Italy

Next Post

Daily Undulating Periodization: Does it Work for Hypertrophy?

Dr. Rashmi Byakodi

Dr. Rashmi Byakodi

Dr. Rashmi Byakodi is a health and wellness writer who aims to spread awareness about health through her words. With her medical background and a passion for writing, she has been creating health content on various platforms. She holds a dental graduate degree from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and has worked in various hospitals for 5 years. Dr. Rashmi believes that with the right knowledge and a healthy lifestyle we can combat many health issues and she strives to spread the same through her blog posts.

Related

12/12 vs. 16/8 Fasting

12/12 vs. 16/8 Intermittent Fasting: Everything You Need To Know

Intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating methods are gaining traction. Healthcare professionals often prescribe intermittent fasting to help tackle obesity and...

Refeed Days

What is a Refeed Day? — Explained!

A majority of people join a gym to lose weight. Fat loss programs require a calorie deficit, meaning you must...

Alexis Ren Workout Diet Program

Alexis Ren Workout and Diet Program (Check Out Her Insane Ab Routine)

Alexis René Glabach, popularly known as Alexis Ren, is an American model, social media personality, actress, entrepreneur, singer, dancer, and...

How Long Fasting Results

How Long Does it Take to See Results From Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is fantastic for weight loss and other associated health benefits. However, a question that consistently ranks high in...

7-Day Meal Plan for Fasting

Healthy Eating Made Easy: A Complete 7-Day Meal Plan for 16/8 Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is popular nowadays, with people adopting this fasting regimen to lose weight and gain other health benefits. However,...

Comments 1

  1. Avatar Tony says:
    5 months ago

    I used to drink sweetened tea during my fasting window bc I just thought every kind of tea doesn’t break my fast lol…But after I used the Litely app that provided me with customized expert guidance, I changed my drinking habits in my fasting window bc it instructed me to drink unsweetened tea.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Bob Cicherillo: “If Samson Dauda is Anywhere Close to 100%, He Wins the Olympia This Year”

Jai Courtney’s Terminator: Genisys Workout and Diet Routine

Six Different Bench Press Grips to Try

Powerlifter Phillip Herndon (125KG) Cracks 411-kg (906.1-lb) Raw Squat All-Time World Record

Larry Wheels Shares Ripped Physique Update Ahead of Anticipated Classic Physique Debut

Lee Haney Shares Crucial Advice for Bodybuilders: ‘You Got to Be Careful of What You Hear’

Reviews

Ancheer Treadmills Review

6 Best Ancheer Treadmills in 2023 (Review & Ranked)

Best Bone Broth Supplements

10 Best Bone Broth Supplements of 2023 (Reviewed & Ranked)

Body Fortress Whey Protein Review

Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Review

Fitness Volt

At FitnessVolt.com Our mission is to help our readers to achieve their fitness goals, regardless of where you’re at on your journey, we are on a mission to educate You with the latest from strength and fitness space. Read more.

Email: sm(at)fitnessvolt.com

Disclosure: FitnessVolt.com has an affiliate relationship with different brands and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, our reviews are based on well research backed analysis.

Follow Us

Trending Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • At Home Workouts
  • Bodyweight Exercises
  • Best Pre-workout
  • Best Fat Burners
  • Bodybuilding Diet
  • Bicep Workouts
  • Triceps Workouts
  • Chest Exercises
  • Back Workouts
  • Leg Workouts
  • Front Squat Guide
  • Calf Workouts & Exercises
  • Forgotten Exercises
  • Jefferson Deadlift

Calculators

  • Calorie Burning Calculators
  • IF Calculator
  • TDEE Calculator
  • Calorie Calculator
  • Keto Calculator
  • RMR Calculator
  • Macronutrient Calculator
  • Creatine Calculator
  • Wilks Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • FFMI Calculator
  • IBW Calculator
  • LBM Calculator
  • Fat Intake Calculator
  • Calories Burned Swimming
  • Calories Per Meal Calculator

  • Food Nutrition Analysis
  • Carb Cycling Calculator
  • Weight Gain Calculator
  • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Calories Burned Calculator
  • Strength Standards
  • One Rep Max Calculator
  • Body Fat Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • Weight Loss Percentage
  • Treadmill Calorie Calculator
  • Body Surface Area Calculator
  • Running Pace Calculator
  • Bench Press Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Water Intake Calculator
  • Body Type Quiz
  • Steps to Miles Calculator
  • Calorie Deficit Calculator
  • Home
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Bodybuilding
  • Arnold Classic
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
  • Training
  • Nutrition
  • Reviews
  • More
    • News
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2022 WSM
    • Diet
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • Food Facts
    • Fitness Calculator

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.