Senna tea for weight loss: is it safe?

Senna tea is a home remedy that is popularly used by people who want to lose weight quickly. However, this plant has no proven influence on the weight loss process and, therefore, should not be used for this purpose, especially if there is no supervision by a nutritionist, doctor or naturopath.

To lose weight, the most important thing is to follow a balanced diet guided by a nutritionist, as well as do regular exercise. The use of supplements can also occur, but should always be guided by a health professional specialized in the area of ​​weight loss, who recommends supplements with a proven effect and in the correct dose.

Because senna is known for weight loss

Although it has no proven effect on weight loss, the use of this tea has become popular due to reports that it causes rapid weight loss in less than 24 hours. And in fact, there are people who can lose weight after using it, but this does not happen through the weight loss process, but rather through emptying the intestine. This happens because senna is a plant with a very strong laxative action, which allows people who suffer from constipation to eliminate the feces that have been accumulating in the intestine. Thus, when the person eliminates these feces, they become lighter, appearing to have lost weight.

Furthermore, it is also not uncommon to hear that the nutritionist prescribed the use of senna tea to lose weight, but this is usually done for a short period, up to 2 weeks, to cleanse the intestine and eliminate toxins, in order to prepare the body. for the new eating plan, and the results end up coming from changes in the diet and not from the use of laxatives.

How does senna work in the intestine?

Senna tea has a strong laxative effect because the plant is very rich in type A and B sennosides, substances that have the ability to stimulate the myenteric plexus, which is responsible for increasing intestinal contraction, pushing feces out.

In addition, senna also has a good amount of mucilage, which ends up absorbing water from the body, which makes the stool softer and easier to eliminate.

Learn more about senna and how to use it correctly.

Is it safe to use laxatives to lose weight?

Laxatives can be part of the weight loss process, but they should be used for short periods and under the supervision of a healthcare professional, serving only to cleanse the body of toxins and prepare the body for the weight loss process.

Therefore, laxatives should not be used as the main reason for losing weight, as their excessive or chronic use can cause several health problems such as:

• Loss of ability to defecate: happens because the nerves in the region lose their sensitivity, becoming dependent on the use of a laxative to trigger bowel movements;
• Dehydration: laxatives cause the intestine to function very quickly, which reduces the time the body has to reabsorb water, which ends up being eliminated in excess with the feces;
• Loss of important minerals: along with water, the body can also eliminate excess minerals, mainly sodium and potassium, which are important for the functioning of muscles and the heart, for example;
• Bleeding in stool: caused by excessive irritation of the intestine due to the use of laxatives;

Several of these consequences can affect the functioning of internal organs, which can, in the long term, result in serious heart disease, putting life at risk.

Therefore, laxatives of any type should not be used to lose weight, especially when there is no supervision by a healthcare professional.