We know green tea is packed with antioxidants that keep our heart and immune-system healthy, but both green and black have a secret weapon! They can also help you shed those stubborn excess kilos!

READ MORE: 6 Ways To Use Slimming Teas In Cooking To Maximise The Burn

In a mouse study, UCLA researchers found that black tea increases gut bacteria associated with lean body mass and decreases types linked to obesity. In a study comparing mice that received a low-fat, high-sugar diet; a high-fat, high-sugar diet alone; or a high-fat, high-sugar diet plus either green or black tea extract, the mice that got the tea extracts lost as much weight as those on the low-fat diet.

READ MORE: 5 Amazing Benefits Of Green Tea That You Didn’t Know About

Earlier studies showed that green tea alters energy metabolism in the liver to promote weight loss; this study showed that black tea does the same through another mechanism. Both teas are prebiotics and promote healthy gut flora, but only black tea increases a certain type, perhaps explaining its different mechanism of action.

Try this summer iced tea recipe from the new Ka Pa Tée store in Cape Town, using their black tea berry bliss mix. You can also make this recipe by using 2 x black tea bags or green tea bags and adding some extra fresh mint or slices of orange to mix it up.

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Looking for more? Here are six ice teas with a little twist.