Ballerina tea, sometimes referred to as 3 Ballerina tea, is a drink that’s become well-known for its alleged weight loss properties and other health advantages.
Its moniker suggests that consuming it can lead to a slender and graceful silhouette, reminiscent of a ballerina’s physique.
However, not all of its purported benefits are backed by scientific research.
Lose weight
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Explore new cuisinesIn this piece, we’ll delve into all aspects of Ballerina tea, highlighting its potential health perks and potential drawbacks.
What is Ballerina tea?
Though some blends of Ballerina tea include a variety of ingredients to improve flavors, such as cinnamon or lemon, its main components are two herbs — senna (Senna alexandrina or Cassia angustifolia) and Chinese mallow (Malva verticillata).
Both have traditionally been used for their laxative effects, which are exerted via two mechanisms:
- Speeding digestion. This is achieved by promoting contractions that help move the contents of your intestine onward.
- Creating an osmotic effect. When electrolytes are released into your colon and increase water flow, your stools become softer.
The active elements in senna and Chinese mallow are water-soluble, which is why users consume them in the form of tea.
Can Ballerina tea aid weight loss?
Ballerina tea is marketed as a way to promote fast weight loss.
Its ingredients have laxative effects and cause your body to excrete a lot of fluid, ridding it of water weight. Some people drink Ballerina tea for this particular purpose.
However, senna and Chinese mallow don’t act upon the metabolism of fats. Thus, the lost weight consists mainly of water and is quickly regained once you rehydrate.
Summary: The main ingredients in Ballerina tea are senna and Chinese mallow. Both have laxative effects, which translates into lost weight in the form of water — not fat.
Ballerina tea is rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that help prevent or reduce cell damage.
Flavonoids are an antioxidant commonly found in plants that helps protect against cellular damage and may reduce disease risk.
For example, a review of 22 studies that included 575,174 people observed that a higher intake of flavonoids significantly reduced the risk of death from heart disease.
Ballerina tea contains high amounts of flavonoids — both from senna and Chinese mallow — which may provide antioxidant protection.
Summary: Due to the flavonoids in its two main ingredients, Ballerina tea offers antioxidant properties.
Ballerina tea may help fight constipation
Ballerina tea’s laxative properties, mainly due to its senna content, make it a natural and affordable remedy for constipation.
Chronic constipation impairs the quality of life and can cause complications in severe cases. Therefore, treatment is essential.
In a 4-week study of 40 people with chronic constipation, those taking a laxative containing senna every other day experienced a 37.5% increase in defecation frequency and fewer defecation difficulties compared with the placebo group.
However, research also shows that long-term use of senna as a laxative may cause side effects, such as diarrhea and electrolyte imbalances.
Also, Ballerina tea contains less senna than concentrated supplements, so it’s unclear whether it would have the same effect on constipation.
Summary: Though studies have confirmed that the ingredients in Ballerina tea ease constipation, it’s unclear whether the tea is as effective as concentrated supplements containing these same ingredients.
Ballerina tea is a caffeine-free alternative to coffee and other types of tea
Some people can’t start the day without their caffeine fix, while others may try to avoid it for personal or health reasons.
Suggested read: 19 natural laxatives for constipation
For less-tolerant consumers, caffeine intake may cause insomnia, sensory disturbances, restlessness, irregular heartbeat, and other adverse effects.
Unlike many other teas — especially weight loss teas — Ballerina tea is caffeine-free.
Yet, consumers still report that Ballerina tea provides an energy boost, which they attribute to the loss of water weight it causes. However, no evidence seems to support this claim.
Summary: Ballerina tea is caffeine-free, which is an advantage for those who want or have to avoid this substance.
Ballerina tea may lower blood sugar levels
Ballerina tea may reduce blood sugar levels due to its Chinese mallow content.
In a 4-week study in mice with type 2 diabetes, those given Chinese mallow extract experienced 17% and 23% reductions in non-fasting and fasting blood sugar levels, respectively.
These effects were attributed to plant and herbal extracts activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a central role in blood sugar control.
What’s more, test-tube and animal studies indicate that the antioxidant properties of the flavonoids in Chinese mallow may also have antidiabetic potential by promoting insulin secretion.
Still, research on Ballerina tea specifically is lacking, so it’s unclear whether this beverage aids blood sugar control.
Summary: Though evidence suggests that Chinese mallow extracts may aid blood sugar control, whether Chinese-mallow-containing Ballerina tea offers the same effect is unclear.
Concerns and side effects of Ballerina tea
Drinking Ballerina tea may cause unwanted side effects, such as abdominal cramps, dehydration, and mild to severe diarrhea.
Moreover, one study determined that prolonged use of senna products caused diarrhea in rats and increased toxicity in kidney and liver tissues. Therefore, scientists advised that people with kidney and liver diseases should not use these products.
Suggested read: Berberine: What it is, benefits, dosage, and side effects
Research also shows that the laxative effects of the senna in Ballerina tea are dose-dependent. Regarding safety, the correct dose would be the lowest amount required to produce the desired results.
Though you may experience weight loss when drinking Ballerina tea, this is likely attributed to water loss — not fat loss.
If you’re trying to lose weight, developing healthier eating habits and increasing your activity levels are much safer, evidence-based ways to promote sustainable weight loss.
Summary: Ballerina tea is likely safe in moderation. Still, high doses may cause abdominal cramps, dehydration, diarrhea, and other adverse effects. Plus, it’s not an effective way to lose excess body fat.
Summary
Ballerina tea is primarily composed of senna and Chinese mallow.
Being caffeine-free, this tea boasts a rich antioxidant profile and may assist in alleviating constipation and reducing blood sugar levels.
However, it’s not advisable for weight loss. The tea’s laxative properties result in weight loss from water and stools, not actual fat reduction.
If you’re keen on trying Ballerina tea, it’s available online. But always check with your healthcare expert beforehand to sidestep potential adverse effects.
