Costa Rican Tea For Weight Loss

Costa Rican tea for weight loss has been used in our traditional medicine to help people lose weight. This popular tea is made from the dried leaves of Camila flavida , a plant native to Latin America. Costa Rica has always had a reputation for great coffee. It is one of the best places in the world to grow coffee. This fact is taken advantage of by many coffee plantations in the country.

When you are looking for the Best Teas for Losing Weight, you want to choose a formula that is sourced from high-quality tea leaves. These specific leaves have been proven to be rich in antioxidants. It can target fat cells within your body, which help you safely & naturally lose weight.

Traditional Costa Rican foods are found in the country and are not considered “typical International” cuisine. This is because they’re famous because of their freshness and good taste, due to their origin from the different regions of the Republic. This cuisine is not found in other countries, since we have a few of our own traditions: customs, folklore music and language.

Costa Rican Tea For Weight Loss

Costa Ricans take their coffee very seriously; in fact, the only varietal of coffee that can be grown legally is arabica. You’ll find chorreadores, a wooden pour-over apparatus, in every home, and even the simplest bars and restaurants have properly maintained espresso machines.

Taza Amarilla, an excellent local roaster and cafe that can be found at San Jose’s Feria Verde farmers’ market. It serves shoppers organic coffee made from beans grown on small farms in some of the country’s best regions, like Terrazu and Alajuela.

There are plenty of places you can try coffee in Costa Rica, including but not limited to local soda restaurants and touristy restaurants; hotel lobbies and on-site restaurants; cafes and bakeries; and coffee roasteries and plantations. If you’re curious about the process of coffee production, consider reserving a Costa Rica coffee tour. Not only will you be treated to a cup (or more) of coffee, but you’ll learn where and how coffee is grown. And how beans are picked and processed; how coffee types and flavors differ; and so much more.

Tea

Tea (té) in Costa Rica is largely overshadowed by the country’s love of coffee. But if you’re not a coffee drinker, tea is a decent fallback option. You won’t find a ton of tea variety there, but you can usually get te manzania (“chamomile tea”), te verde (“green tea”), te negro (“black tea”), and te de menta (“mint tea”) at grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels without problem.

If you prefer your tea served cold and sweet, there’s good news. Costa Rican restaurants serve iced tea (té frio). Like refrescos gaseosos (“gaseous refreshments”) / bebidas gaseosas (“gaseous drink”), most Costa Rican restaurants don’t prepare iced tea from syrup concentrates like fast food establishments do, so if you order a té frio, you’ll likely be given a bottle of the drink. Alternatively, the bottle may be poured into a glass for you. Several companies in Costa Rica produce iced tea drinks, but the most popular is Tropical. Its lineup includes regular té frio, té frio con melocoton (“peach flavored iced tea”), té frio con té verde Manzana (“green apple flavored iced tea”), and té frio con Limon (“lime flavored iced tea”).

If you’re a fan of Kombucha (fermented tea), you’ll find it at trendy and health-conscious restaurants at popular beach destinations like Tamarindo, Nosara, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Playas del Coco, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio, among others.

What alcoholic drinks to try while in Costa Rica?

Cerveza.

Are you a beer drinker? If so, you’ll be pleased to know that liquor stores and grocery stores throughout Costa Rica are regularly stocked with Cerveza (“beer”). Costa Rica’s bestselling beer, Imperial, is an American-style lager that’s well-loved by many North American visitors. It’s also the face of beer in Costa Rica; Imperial ads are plastered across billboards, commercials roll on televisions, and the brand sponsors tons of events yearly, including the country’s biggest party in Pavones.

On a more serious note, Imperial is a water-positive beer, which makes it a great choice for eco-conscious travelers. If you’re calorie-conscious, try “Imperial Light.” Pilsen, Costa Rica’s older, bolder, and more bitter-tasting beer, is the favorite of some Ticos. It’s comprised of 5.1% alcohol content, which is boozier than Imperial at 4.5%. Other beers, including Bavaria, Rock Ice, and popular imports like Budweiser and Corona are also sold in Costa Rica, though to a lesser extent. Gaining popularity over the past decade are craft beer creations. Several microbreweries exist around the nation, and their brews are often featured at bars and restaurants in beach towns and San Jose.

Chicha.

Typically consumed by members of Indigenous communities in Costa Rica is the fermented drink chicha. Offering a taste similar to beer, chicha is an inexpensive alcohol most commonly made with rice, corn, or pineapple in Costa Rica.

Guaro.

Guaro is Costa Rica’s signature spirit. Produced from sugarcane, it’s slightly sweet but otherwise tastes like cheap vodka. As one of the least expensive liquors you can buy in Costa Rica, guaro flies off the shelf. The highest quality guaro you can get in Costa Rica is produced by the Cacique brand (look for Cacique Superior, which has a black label instead of a red label, if you want the brand’s best product).

Despite its prestige, Cacique guaro still comes cheap. You’ll probably find any kind of guaro too unpleasant to drink on its own (though plenty of people take shots of the stuff) but you may enjoy it mixed in a cocktail. Guaro sours, which offer a twist on whiskey sours, are a popular choice. Chiliguaros spice things up: they include mandarin lime, Tabasco sauce, and salt, and can be consumed as a cocktail or a shot. Other alcoholic orders tend to include guaro, namely because it’s such an inexpensive liquor to serve.

Costa Rican Coffee and Hot Cocoa Gift Set (Corporate Gifts) to Costa-Rica

When they deserve the best in flavor, send them a gift that will make their taste buds tingle and brighten their morning as well. Family, friends, and business associates are going to appreciate your fine taste when you present them with a collection of Costa Rican Coffees that is sure to make their mouth water.

They’ll perk up in the morning with cups of rich, aromatic coffee from Doka Estate’s Three Generations Collection; as the name suggests, these growers have perfected the family craft of coffee over three generations to provide your recipient with the most luxurious coffee the hills can provide. Certified with the Rainforest Alliance, Doka Estates not only brings you a great cup of coffee, they’re environmentally friendly as well.

Your lucky recipient will indulge in an assortment of four bags of Coffee chosen from the following flavors: House Blend, French Roast, Espresso, Peaberry, and Decaf. They’ll also indulge in two tins of Cafe Britt Gourmet Hot Chocolate chosen from the following flavors: Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Caramel, Raspberry, and Mint.

Whether you’re welcoming them to a new home, congratulating them on a promotion, celebrating a birthday, or just reminding them you care, Costa Rican Coffee and Hot Cocoa Gift Set is an ideal offering for any occasion

Traditional Costa Rican Foods

In rural Costa Rica, as in many places where home-grown foods play a key role in the everyday diet, people are very knowledgeable about the plants they grow and how the leaves, nuts, fruits, and other parts of the plant can be used for medicinal purposes.

We’re especially interested in which foods Costa Ricans consume because it’s the home of Nicoya, one of the original blue zones and the longest-living people in the Americas. Nicoya is an 80-mile peninsula just north of the Nicaraguan border. It’s not far from the U.S., but people there are twice as likely to live to reach 90 than Americans. So, it makes perfect sense to take a closer look at some of the foods that they use medicinally to learn more about the nutrients they contain and the potential benefits of adding them to your diet. Here are five medicinal foods that make it into the Costa Rican diet on a regular basis that you might want to try.

Chan Seeds

Chan seeds are triangular black seeds used widely throughout Costa Rica and other parts of Central and South America. They are similar to chia seeds but come from a different plant — the Hyptis suaveolens that’s native to Central America.

The seeds are often soaked and then served in beverages, like Lemonade with Chan Seeds, a recipe from Dan Buettner’s cookbook, The Blue Zones Kitchen. Due to their mucilage content, chan seeds are used for digestive health and for relieving issues like constipation and indigestion. Chan seeds are also high in magnesium, which has been associated with lowering blood pressure.

Chan seeds are excellent to use in herbal tea, like our Blue Zones Nicoya Chan and Lemongrass Tea. This delicate tea is inspired by the Nicoyan centenarians’ gardens and made with herbs native to the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s great for relieving stress and even headaches. In addition to the health benefits of the chan, lemongrass is another herb that Costa Ricans love for its lemony aroma, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties.

Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena or lippia alba, known in Costa Rica as juanilama, has been used for thousands of years by indigenous people in both Central and South America as a medicinal herb. Like chan seeds, it’s also known for soothing the digestive tract. But it’s also used as a somatic, sedative, antidepressant, and for its analgesic properties. It’s thought to aid in promoting healthy muscle tissue, reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, soothing nerves, and clearing up congestion.

The essential oil of lemon verbena contains antioxidant compounds, used in supplements in pill form in the U.S., or the leaves can be dried and steeped for use in herbal teas to control the appetite to aid in weight loss. Our Blue Zones Nicoya Lippia Alba and Hibiscus Tea is an excellent natural diuretic that combines the expectorant and antimicrobial properties of lemon verbena with the high antioxidant content of hibiscus.

The worldwide medical community has begun to become more interested in researching the potential health benefits of lemon verbena in recent years. Among the findings in clinical studies, lemon verbena has been shown to reduce inflammation, hypertension, and muscle damage after exercise.

Culantro Coyote

Culantro coyote, also known as fitweed and Mexican coriander, is an herb related to cilantro that’s used widely in the Nicoyan diet, as well as many other parts of the world, though little known in the U.S.

Although it’s related to cilantro, culantro looks very different. It has long, serrated leaves compared to the tiny delicate leaves of cilantro. It is also much more pungent than cilantro and unlike cilantro, which has a stronger flavor and smell when fresh, the flavor and aroma of culantro grow stronger when it’s cooked.

In Costa Rica, culantro is consumed often in soups, stews, and many other dishes. In the Blue Zones Kitchen, Dan features a number of Nicoyan recipes that use culantro coyote, including Yuca cakes, Black Bean and Potato Soup, Creamy Butternut Squash Soup, Veggie Hash with Corn and Onion, and others.

The leaves of the cilantro plant are also chewed, much like parsley, to get rid of bad breath. Adding cilantro to the diet is thought to have many health benefits, from lowering inflammation in brain cells to reducing neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to reducing pain and relieving asthma symptoms. It contains Vitamin B2 that’s known to aid in liver function and lower blood glucose levels.

Cassia Grandis Honey

Costa Ricans make a delicious natural syrup, without sugar, using the substance found in the pods of the Cassia grandis or Carao tree, which grows from southern Mexico to South America. The syrup is also known as Cassia grandis honey. It’s used as a natural sweetener and also mixed with milk for a refreshing beverage that’s easy on the stomach.

Cassia grandis honey helps to relieve anemic states due to iron deficiency and strengthens bones and teeth. Our Blue Zones Nicoya Nutricarao natural syrup (Cassia grandis honey) is a great source of energy for physical exercise and a nutritious complement for daily consumption. It provides all the benefits available from the exotic Cassia grandis honey and also contains aloe vera which helps aid digestion. It’s 100% natural, gluten-free, and GMO-free. It contains no added sugars, artificial flavors, or colors.

Our syrup is thick and a red-brownish color and is sweet and robust with notes of brown sugar and molasses. We recommend taking two tablespoons with each of your meals three times per day, or you can also add two tablespoons to smoothies, shakes, or oatmeal.

Our Blue Zones Nicoya products and proceeds support the centenarian community of Nicoya, Costa Rica. At the same time, Blue Zones Nicoya has its production facilities in the area, which in turn provide direct and indirect jobs to the community. Blue Zones Nicoya also develops the Macaw Project, which helps reinsert Macaw populations into the Nicoya Peninsula.

Hearts of Palm

Nutrient-dense and low-fat, the hearts of palm come from the inner core and growing buds of certain types of palm trees, including coconut, palmetto, Juara, and others. Hearts of palm are crunchy like asparagus, look much like artichoke stalks without tips, and have a flavor that’s similar to that of artichoke hearts.

Costa Ricans eat hearts of palm fresh in salads or cooked, and either way, they’re easy to prepare, according to Dan Buettner’s cookbook. It includes recipes for using hearts of palm both ways. It’s used raw in Hearts of Palm Ceviche, a fishless ceviche that is part of the traditional lunch of Costa Ricans and which Dan proclaimed in the book to be his favorite Costa Rican dish. In another recipe for Hearts of Palm Picadillo, the hearts of palm are sautéed along with onions, cilantro, and other ingredients.

Hearts of palm’s are rich in minerals including potassium which helps to regulate blood pressure, copper, and iron to promote healthy blood cells and regulate cholesterol, phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, and zinc to boost the immune system.

In addition, the hearts of the palm are an excellent source of polyphenol antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals that damage cells. Antioxidants not only reduce inflammation, but also can lower the risk of getting diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. This dense stalk vegetable is also used to regulate weight because it’s low in fat and calories, yet high in fiber and water content. If you’d like to try hearts of palm and can’t find it fresh in your specialty foods market. However, it can be found jarred and canned in most grocery stores.

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Best Teas for Losing Weight

The next time you pop into your favorite coffee shop, consider skipping the pumpkin spice latte, caramel macchiato, or cold brew iced coffee and go for a soothing, steaming cup of tea instead. Because in addition to tea’s well-known power to soothe sore throats and even help prevent cancer and diabetes, it may help you reach your weight loss goals. below are the best teas for losing weight.

“Drinking tea may support weight loss or weight maintenance because it fills the void of beverages that are high in sugar and calories,” says Josh Axe, D.N.M., founder of Ancient Nutrition. “When you switch out flavored lattes, coffee with added cream and sugar, and sugary sodas or juices and replace them with tea, you are cutting a massive amount of calories a day.” (We too, love Starbucks’ salted caramel mocha, but grande packs a whopping 420 calories compared to zero in their wellness tea!)

Aside from being calorie-friendly (unsweetened tea is basically plant-flavored water), certain teas have antioxidant-rich compounds that may encourage weight loss, while also touting other health benefits such as improved sleep. However, it’s worth noting that further research is needed to confirm the exact relationship between tea and losing weight.

With that being said, enjoying a daily cup of steeped goodness definitely want to do you any harm, and can certainly keep sweet coffee cravings at bay. So, whether you enjoy them hot or iced, here are the teas that may provide the biggest boosts, plus some recommended picks to shop.

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Harney & Sons

Japanese Sencha Green Tea, 50 Bags

The most popular and well-studied tea for weight loss is definitely green tea. It’s filled with antioxidants called catechins, including a substance called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is believed to increase metabolism and help burn fat.

“Researchers have found that green tea extract causes changes in the expression of fat metabolism genes, especially when it’s consumed consistently for longer periods of time,” says Dr. Axe. One Chinese study found that when subjects drank tea that was super-rich in catechins twice a day, after 90 days, they saw a change, losing an average of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 2.6 pounds of body weight. Another large review of studies concluded that green tea’s mix of EGCG and caffeine has a positive effect on weight loss and weight management.

Teatulia

Organic Oolong Tea, 50 Bags

Though green tea has long been thought of as the go-to variety for weight loss, some researchers believe that oolong–a Chinese tea that falls somewhere between green and black—maybe even more powerful. “Oolong tea promotes thermogenesis (so the body produces heat from energy, thereby burning more calories), and suppresses the production of new fat cells,” says Dr. Axe. One small Japanese study found that for two hours after drinking oolong tea, women found their resting energy expenditure increased by 10%, whereas the metabolism bump was only 4% after they drank green tea.

Additionally, a 2020 Japanese study found that drinking two cups during the day boosted energy and therefore metabolism in participants, ultimately encouraging fat burning during sleep.

Taylors of Harrogate

English Breakfast Tea, 50 Bags

English Breakfast is a variety of black tea, which is actually made from the same plant as green tea—the difference is that the leaves are exposed to the air to trigger fermentation. One study found that over three months, those who drank three cups of black tea per day had less weight gain and reduced waist circumference compared to those who drank a caffeinated beverage that was devoid of the flavonoids in tea. If you’re not a fan of English Breakfast, you can also try Earl Grey.

Twinings

Pure Peppermint Herbal Tea, 20 Bags

Though some people swear sipping a cup of mint tea can stave off food cravings, there is little evidence behind the claim. However, there is research to suggest it aids in digestion and stomach pain. Plus, if you’re jonesing for a minty sip, a cup of unsweetened peppermint tea has far fewer calories than a sugary peppermint mocha.

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Cederberg Tea Company

Red Rooibos Tea, 100 Bags

Rooibos is an herb grown in South Africa that can be brewed into a delicious, caffeine-free cup of tea. A 2014 study published in Phytomedicine found that fermented rooibos tea can inhibit adipogenesis—the development and accumulation of fat cells—therefore potentially preventing weight gain.

Another animal study conducted in 2014 also suggests that it may help with fat burning, however, more research is needed to further corroborate those claims. Either way, the drink makes for a colorful and tasty addition to your tea caddy.

The Republic of Tea

100% White Tea, 50 Bags

White tea is one of the least processed varieties—the leaves of the tea plant are picked before they’re fully opened and then quickly dried, preventing them from oxidizing. This process gives the tea an exceptionally delicate flavor that is still packed with fat-burning polyphenols. “White tea is rich in antioxidants, boosts metabolism, and helps to break down fat cells,” says Dr. Axe.

Health Benefits of Weight Loss

Have you ever wondered what the health benefits of weight loss are? The positive effects of losing weight go far beyond just looking good. Weight loss can improve your well-being, as well as reduce your risk for a variety of health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. In this article, we’ll outline the many health benefits of weight loss.

Losing weight offers health benefits you can’t get from just dieting. By losing fat and gaining muscle (particularly in the core) it won’t only help your appearance, but also your strength, stamina and overall health. Here are the main health benefits of weight loss.

1. Boosts energy levels

Weight loss can improve respiratory function and sleep quality. Removing excess weight also means your body doesn’t have to work as hard to get through the day. All of these benefits together can help you feel more energized.

Bonus: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of chronic fatigue syndrome. Woot!

2. Improves cholesterol

Being overweight is associated with unhealthy cholesterol levels, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Research shows that obesity is linked to higher bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower good cholesterol (HDL).

A 2016 study found that among adults who were overweight or obese, losing 5 to 10 percent of their body weight reduced LDL cholesterol levels and other cardiovascular risk factors. Another study found that even a 1 to 3 percent weight reduction can improve HDL levels.

3. Reduces blood pressure

Experiencing obesity and having overweight can increase your risk of high blood pressure. But remember, a number on the scale isn’t the only thing that counts. It also matters where the weight is placed. A 2018 study found that visceral fat — extra fat around your waist — is particularly dangerous.

4. Improves mobility

Carrying around extra weight can take a toll on your joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation, losing 10 pounds can take 40 pounds of pressure off your knees. More good news! A 2018 study of 174 participants found that weight loss reduced rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Losing weight can also help your mobility in the long term. A 2017 study analyzed 640 participants with obese or overweight. Folks who lost weight over the course of 4 years showed less cartilage deterioration than those who didn’t.

5. Improves breathing

Losing weight can help you prevent obesity-related breathing conditions like obesity hypoventilation syndrome. This disorder is caused by extra fat on the chest, neck, or abdomen, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Symptoms include feeling out of breath, fatigue, snoring, and headaches.

6. Reduces risk of heart disease or stroke

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke, heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases account for 1 in 3 deaths in the United States. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of these conditions.

P.S. It’s also super important to slay a healthy diet and stay active. Your heart will thank you for it

7. Prevents type 2 diabetes

Many different factors are involved in the development of diabetes, but obesity is a leading risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. This condition happens when your body doesn’t respond to insulin correctly. As a result, your blood glucose (aka blood sugar) levels go up and you become even more resistant to insulin.

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight for your height and body type can help you prevent the disease if you’re overweight or experiencing obesity. According to the American Heart Association, a loss of 5 to 7 percent of body weight can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent if you’re in a high-risk category.

Research shows that weight loss can also make a big impact in treating type 2 diabetes. It can improve insulin resistance and lower blood glucose levels which are important ways to manage the disease.

Costa Rican Tea For Weight Loss

Costa Rican Tea For Weight Loss

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