Can Teamaxxing Really Transform Your Health? Experts Share the Best Brews To Try
From weight loss to lower blood pressure to better sleep, discover what the right brew can do
When we think about achieving better health, the solution can sometimes feel complicated—like a five-step supplement routine or long hours in the gym. But what if it was as simple as swapping your coffee or energy drink for a few warm, comforting cups of tea throughout the day? That’s the idea behind TikTok’s latest wellness trend, teamaxxing. But can drinking a few cups of tea really boost your health—and which types should you start with? We asked registered dietitians to break down everything you need to know.
What is teamaxxing?
If you keep up with TikTok wellness trends, you’ve probably heard of fibermaxxing. Teamaxxing follows the same concept—maximizing one simple dietary element for better health—but focuses on tea instead of fiber.
“Teamaxxing is a social media trend of increasing the consumption of tea, generally green tea or matcha, throughout the day while participating in other daily lifestyle habits to focus on overall wellness and take advantage of the health benefits,” explains Tara Fiano, RD, CSOWM, LDN, CDCES, clinical dietetics lead at Vida Health.
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How can tea improve your health?
If you’re not a regular tea drinker, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Turns out, there’s real science behind the hype.
“Teas have a good amount of antioxidants and polyphenols that get infused into water during brewing and then are highly absorbable when consumed, so teas can have a beneficial impact on immune health,” says Megan Wroe, MS, RD, CNE, CLEC, wellness manager at Providence St. Jude Medical Center.
Fiano adds that the antioxidants in tea support skin health with anti-aging benefits, plus help fight chronic disease. “Tea can also be a way for us to stay hydrated throughout the day and support any caffeine needs in slightly lower doses than coffee,” adds Sara Riehm, RD, LDN, CSOWM, certified specialist in obesity and weight management.
5 best teas for teamaxxing
Ready to give teamaxxing a try? With so many varieties on store shelves—from classic black tea to herbal teas—it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. Here are five teas Riehm recommends:
Green tea for brain health and weight loss
“Green tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis, which is the same plant black tea comes from,” says Riehm. “However, the difference between the two teas is how they’re processed. Green tea leaves go through their processing very soon after harvesting so they don’t have a chance to oxidize and turn brown.” Generally speaking, studies have shown that green tea (including matcha) has the highest levels of polyphenols of any tea. The minimal processing in green tea preserves its antioxidants.
The perks: The antioxidants in green tea, including EGCG (epigallocatechin-3 gallate), a compound that helps reduce inflammation, can support brain health, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and help protect against certain types of cancer, explains Riehm. Bonus: The ECGC in green tea revs your metabolism and can help with weight loss. (Learn more about the benefits of green tea for weight loss.)
Black tea for heart health
“Although it comes from the same plant as green and oolong tea, black tea has the most extensive oxidation process of the three, which changes its properties,” says Riehm. During that process, black tea develops beneficial compounds known as theaflavins.
The perks: Riehm says black tea may be especially beneficial for heart health, as research suggests it can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
Oolong tea for potential cancer protection
“Oolong is tea made from the leaves of the same plant as green and black tea, but undergoes partial oxidation during processing,” explains Riehm.
The perks: This type of tea is less widely consumed than black or green tea, but still contains polyphenols, plant compounds with anti-inflammatory effects that could help lower the risk of cancer, says Riehm. She adds that more research is needed to better understand how strongly these compounds impact the body.
Chamomile tea for sleep
“Chamomile tea is brewed using a flower from the daisy family and is widely available in most grocery stores and supermarkets,” says Riehm.
The perks: Riehm explains chamomile tea is best known for supporting sleep, helping improve sleep quality and making it easier to stay asleep. She adds that it can also be part of a relaxing bedtime routine, and some research suggests it may support digestion and help relieve symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Ginger tea for digestive upset
Riehm says ginger tea, made from dried ginger rather than a true tea plant, contains gingerol, a natural compound that helps support the gut.
The perks: Gingerol’s digestion-supporting components help reduce gas, bloating and nausea, making it perfect to settle an upset stomach or encourage healthy digestion after a meal.
How to practice teamaxxing safely
When you hear the name, you may think teamaxxing means you should drink as much tea as you want. But Fiano recommends sticking to two to four cups per day to avoid too much caffeine and potential impacts on iron absorption.
As for when to drink the brew, some people can’t start their day without a morning cup of tea, while others can’t imagine a cozier night than curling up with a book and a warm cuppa. But is one better for your health than the other? Fiano says research suggests tea may offer different benefits depending on when you drink it. In other words, it depends on the health benefit you’re looking for.
“Some evidence suggests that later in the day is better for blood glucose control after the evening meal,” explains Fiano. “Avoiding caffeinated tea later in the afternoon was shown to help with better sleep in many studies.”
Safety considerations
Riehm says most teas are safe in moderation, but it’s important to watch your caffeine intake, as both green and black tea contain it and it can impact sleep if consumed too close to bedtime. Black tea tends to have more caffeine than green. Also worth noting: Chamomile tea isn’t for everyone. People taking certain medications, including blood thinners or immune-suppressing drugs, should avoid it.
The bottom line on teamaxxing
We get it—wellness trends come and go, and it’s not always easy to know which ones are worth your time. But teamaxxing is different. It’s simple, science-backed and something you can start today with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Whether you’re sipping green tea for a mental boost, chamomile for better sleep or ginger tea to soothe your stomach, you’re taking a small but powerful step toward better health.
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