Around 2017, detox drinks that promised to help with weight reduction and bloating gained popularity. You probably have seen countless fitness influencers around that time promoting weight loss teas along with other promising products. However, soon after, complaints of unfavorable GI symptoms such as cramps, constipation, and diarrhea surfaced.
Senna leaf is the ingredient causing these horrible side effects. Despite the horror stories from many customers about poop and gut issues, there are still a lot of detox teas on the market today that contain senna leaf, such as SkinnyMint’s 28-Day Ultimate Teatox and All-Day Slimming Tea Evening Detox Tea.
Quick Glance at Senna Leaf
Senna leaf is an herb that comes from the Senna Alexandrina plant. Sennosides, which are chemicals found in senna, cause irritation to the intestinal lining and have a laxative action that can assist ease constipation.
Put another way, detox teas aren’t really helping you lose weight by fixing your digestive problems and detox; instead, they’re cleaning your colon.
Why Senna Shouldn’t be Taken Daily
Senna is a natural laxative that has been shown to aid constipation sufferers have more frequent bowel movements and an overall improvement in their quality of life (1). The long-term benefits of its use to natural detoxification pathways aren’t as great as many detox tea firms would have you think, though.
As an example, even though senna is allowed by the FDA for use as an over-the-counter medication to treat constipation, using it for more than a week or two is not advised. The liver, which is the body’s main organ for detoxification, can be harmed by regular usage for as little as three to five months, according to the NIH (2).
Unfavorably the dosages of detox teas have also been concealed by proprietary blends. Detox tea firms do not disclose how much senna leaf each serving of their product includes (or any of their other components).
The Negative Consequences of Senna
Senna leaf detox tea use over time may result in abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, cramping in the stomach, electrolyte imbalance, fluid loss, cardiovascular problems, rectal bleeding, and dependence on regular bowel movements.
Senna can interact with estrogen in certain contraceptives and hormone replacement treatment, decreasing their effectiveness, as if that terrifying list of negative effects wasn’t enough to permanently put you off detox teas.
What Alternatives to Take
A focused supplement can give your body the daily dose of antioxidants that your detox pathways require to operate at their best, which will help you genuinely assist your body’s detoxification system.
You can also add a list of healthful and purifying practices like these into your daily routine:
- Getting enough water (3)
- Consuming a diet high in nutrients and rich in plant-based antioxidants (4)
- Regularly sweating via exercise, hot baths, sauna use, etc. (5)
- Having a good night’s sleep (6)
![The Truth About Detox Teas and Senna Leaf](https://i0.wp.com/jasminefeliciano.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Truth-About-Detox-Teas-and-Senna-Leaf-pin.png?resize=683%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)
To Wrap Things Up
While detox teas containing senna leaf may offer a quick fix for constipation and a temporary sense of weight loss, their long-term use can lead to serious health issues. The hidden dosages in proprietary blends and potential interactions with medications make these teas a risky choice.
Instead, supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes through a nutrient-rich diet, adequate hydration, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep is a safer and more effective approach. By focusing on these healthier habits, you can enhance your overall well-being without the harmful side effects. True wellness comes from sustainable, healthy practices, not quick fixes.
Sources |
- Senna Versus Magnesium Oxide for the Treatment of Chronic Constipation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Senna – LiverTox – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
- Narrative Review of Hydration and Selected Health Outcomes in the General Population – PMC (nih.gov)
- Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application – PMC (nih.gov)
- The Effects of Physical Exercise on Fatty Liver Disease – PubMed (nih.gov)
- The Neuroprotective Aspects of Sleep – PMC (nih.gov)
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