3 Refreshing Berry Teas That Will Kick Start Your Metabolism

Want to get rid of excess weight through a yummy sip? Try these three refreshing berry teas that are brimmed with healing plant compounds. Here’s how they can help you power off pounds effortlessly!

Kick-Start Metabolism

The bright colors of berries come from anthocyanins, plant pigments that turn on an enzyme (AMPK) that prompts cells to burn fat for energy. The result: Research in the journal Obesity found that women who consumed berries daily burn three times more fat.

Block Fat Storage

The high levels of anthocyanins in berries can block the formation of new fat cells and prevent the growth of existing ones. In one study, folks who ate 1⁄2 cup of blueberries daily gained 33 percent less weight on a high-fat diet than berry skippers.

Melt a Menopot

Enjoying a berry-spiked sip can also whittle your waistline, according to Cleveland Clinic investigators. The reason? Anthocyanins ramp up the production of lipase, a pancreatic enzyme that helps the body break down belly fat for fuel, so you trim three inches off your waist in just one month.

Now onto the refreshing berry tea recipes!

Raspberry-Lime Refresher

• 1⁄4 cup raspberries 
• 1 green tea bag 
• 1 sprig mint 
• 2 lime wheels 
• 2 teaspoons agave syrup

Steep ingredients in one cup hot water three min. Add ice. Makes 1 serving.

Cool Strawberry Contentment 

• 1⁄4 cup sliced strawberries 
• 1 strawberry tea bag 
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 2 cucumber slices

Steep first three ingredients in one cup hot water three min.; chill. Remove tea bag; add cucumbers. Lightly muddle ingredients. Serve over ice. Garnish as desired. Makes 1 serving.

Blueberry-Citrus Chiller

• 1⁄4 cup blueberries
• 1 blueberry tea bag 
• 1 thin slice ginger 
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 
• 1 teapoon turbinado sugar
• White grape juice

Steep first five ingredients in one cup hot water three min.; chill. Remove tea bag and ginger. Pour into ice-filled glass. Top with splash of juice. Makes 1 serving. 

This article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.