Drawbacks of Ballerina Tea: A Scientific Perspective

Introduction

Though some alternative medicine practitioners may recommend the use of ballerina tea for promoting weight loss, detoxification, or digestive health benefits in individuals, these benefits are not proven according to current scientific research. These are nothing more than claims that have been publicized through social or mass media over the last decade. Read the article to know if this tea has any positive impact on health.

Is Ballerina Tea a Traditional Recipe?

Ballerina tea, also commonly known as 3 ballerina tea, is a beverage primarily prepared from herbal ingredients, namely malva verticillata (Chinese mallow) and cassia angustifolia (senna). The tea is widely recognized for its purported health benefits due to its use in Chinese traditional medicine and is often recommended by alternative medicine practitioners or healthcare providers to aid in weight loss and weight maintenance. However, the majority of global nutrition experts do not support the usage of ballerina tea for any of its purported benefits, as scientific evidence is lacking and there are safety concerns regarding its long-term use.

What Are the Herbal Ingredients of Ballerina Tea?

• Malva Verticillata (Chinese Mallow): The leaves and seeds of this herbal plant are commonly grown in regions of provinces of China, in parts of Africa, Europe, and North America, and are usually deemed edible. Seeds of the Chinese mallow plant are often used in diuretic products for their ability to increase urine production as well as to reduce water retention in the body. The Chinese mallow is one of the frequently used herbs in alternative and some traditional medicine forms for its laxative effect, that is, to relieve constipation. It is also used in Chinese medicine to treat kidney-based or renal disorders. Some Chinese medicine practitioners also advocate the Chinese mallow use in women, mainly as an herbal product intended for stimulating the flow of breast milk during lactation. However, all these benefits listed above do not have as such any current scientific evidence or rationale to prove their efficacy. The long-term safety concerns of Chinese mallow herbs have also been raised by many health experts for use in systemic health disorders or for stimulating breast milk.

• Cassia Angustifolia (Senna): This is another herbal ingredient that is used in conjunction with the Chinese mallow and hails from the Indian shrub varieties that are also grown in parts of China and some parts of California. The leaves and the fruits of the senna plant are further easily harvested to make this popular ingredient a part of many commercial laxative products across the globe. It would be interesting to know that while the Chinese mallow used in ballerina tea is questioned by researchers, the senna is an FDA (food and drug administration)-approved nonprescription ingredient or proven laxative. Senna products can be used not just for relieving constipation but also to promote bowel clearance before diagnostic tests are performed in clinics or medical facilities such as colonoscopy, for instance.

What Is the Composition and Availability of Ballerina Tea?

Ballerina tea is completely caffeine-free, distinguishing it from other herbal teas indicated for weight loss, which may contain lesser amounts of caffeine. This distinction arises from its preparation, which involves a blend of Chinese mallow and senna herbs rather than traditional tea leaves commonly mixed with caffeine in commercial herbal brews.

Ballerina tea, also known as 3 ballerina tea, is readily available in most global stores and online retail outlets as a dieter's drink. Consumers typically use tea bags to prepare the beverage, although the strength of the tea may vary depending on the specific brands purchased locally.

What Is the Reason Behind the Lack of Scientific Evidence?

While most of the weight loss benefits that individuals may experience after using ballerina tea for a while are true, it may not be unhealthy for one. On the other hand, there are also no scientific or proven benefits to suggest that weight loss or maintenance through regular consumption of this tea is healthy. This contradiction currently exists due to the limited nature of investigation into these products and a lack of evidence. The changes noticed, if any, by individuals on the weight scale would probably happen as a result of losing some water weight owing to the laxative properties of this tea's herbs. There is also absolutely no scientific evidence to show that the tea burns body or tissue fat.

Some purported claims in the media regarding this tea suggest it can improve or increase metabolism; however, these claims are nothing more than nutrition myths. According to some preliminary research conducted on ballerina tea in regular consumers of these products, the results showed that when eating habits or fluid intake returned to normal, the individual's weight was also gained back, which clearly shows that ballerina tea may exert nothing more than a placebo effect.

What Are the Drawbacks of Ballerina Tea?

• The herb Chinese mallow, though questioned by researchers, poses no significant health risk to individuals. Similarly, no trace of harmful herbal ingredients like bitter orange or ephedra (used for weight loss in some teas and supplements) are part of the commercial ballerina tea manufacturing process. In contrast, the ingredients in ballerina tea, Chinese mallow, and senna, may comprise antioxidants called flavonoids that help fight cell damage and reduce the risks of developing certain chronic diseases. Though some limited research studies exist to show these herbs also contain trace amounts of minerals, it is unlikely that significant benefits would be gained from consuming this tea.

• Many nutritionists have also raised concerns about individual side effects more commonly experienced by those attempting to shift to regular ballerina tea consumption. Currently, it would be correct to say that there is no scientific rationale, research studies, or evidence to support the benefits of ballerina tea, either as a health aid or as a weight loss aid.

Conclusion

It can be noted from a nutritional perspective, and as elaborated earlier, that, unlike most other commercial weight loss teas, ballerina tea is neither a stimulant beverage nor does it comprise caffeine, nor does it have any typically bitter flavors. The main drawback of ballerina tea is its lack of scientific evidence and the long-term safety concerns associated with it. Furthermore, because some users of ballerina tea may experience the laxative effects of the senna herb in it, such as increased bowel movements or more urination, abdominal discomfort would be an added disadvantage.