If you’re looking for some of the most effective weight loss drinks that work, then you’ll find 10 of the best ones here. These drinks can help you lose weight and burn belly fat simply by drinking them more.
These are the best weight loss drinks backed by nutritional science and experiences of countless success stories. Imagine kickstarting your metabolism every morning with a tasty beverage like a slimming tea or my favorite weight loss drink mix.
But it can be confusing and frustrating trying to find which weight loss drinks actually work. The last thing you want to do is waste your time drinking a gross-tasting beverage that doesn’t even work for weight loss.
Yet here you’ll find the best drinks for weight loss that you can use every day to help you shed pounds while tasting good too. So keep going to uncover the best drinks to try, how to make them, and when to consume them for the best results.
The Best Weight Loss Drinks
So what drinks help you lose weight and burn belly fat?
The biggest factor for most when it comes to losing weight is calories.1
The better and more effortlessly you can lower your calorie intake, the more weight you’ll lose. So, it makes sense that drinking zero-calorie or very low-calorie beverages is key.
The best drinks help satisfy sweet tooth cravings, so you consume less sugar-sweetened beverages.
Sugar-sweetened beverages are not only calorie-dense, but they also spike your blood sugar and insulin.
While most weight loss drinks work by reducing calorie intake, these drinks can also help you lose weight by:
- Boosting metabolism and increasing calorie expenditure
- Improving blood sugar and insulin levels
- Helping you eat less
- Curbing hunger and cravings
- Reducing stress
- Improving digestion
- Improving sleep quality
- Improving body composition
Simply replacing bad beverages like soda and sugary fruit juices quickly reduces belly fat by boosting fat burning. Cutting out those bad beverages and replacing them with the ones on this list of the best drinks will help you lose weight faster.
How to Drop Weight Quickly
If you’re trying to lose weight fast, then you’ll have to focus on decreasing calorie intake. Weight loss is practically impossible if you’re consuming too many calories than your body can burn off.
Cut out calorie-dense and sugary beverages and foods from your diet.
Drink more of the fat-burning beverages below and eat more low-calorie foods during the day. Improving your sleep quality can also boost your metabolism, allowing you to drop weight faster.2
Intermittent fasting is a proven way to reduce your calorie intake by 550 calories on average daily.3 Some of the drinks below can be taken during your intermittent fasting period without breaking your fast. And they can help you get even better weight loss results.
Most women do well by consuming 1200-1500 calories per day. For men, they lose weight with 1500-1800 calories per day. But everybody is different, so you’ll probably need to experiment with your calorie intake to see what works.
If I only had 7 days to lose 10 pounds then I’d follow this plan and drink more of these beverages instead of eating foods. You shouldn’t just drink all your calories all the time, but if you’re trying to lose a lot of weight in just a few days then it’ll be the best plan.
Let’s start with my Top 3 drinks for weight loss…
Water
Does drinking water help you lose weight?
Yes! Water is by far the best thing you can drink to lose weight. It sounds simple, but drinking more water will help you stay hydrated, which is crucial for weight loss.4
Drinking more water enhances weight loss by:
- Suppressing appetite
- Boosting metabolism
- Aiding digestion
- Improving exercise performance
- Reducing calorie intake
- Enhancing body fat breakdown
- Flush out toxins and waste products
- Reducing water retention
Drinking water before meals can help you feel fuller which will prevent overeating. It’s easy for your body to mistake hunger for thirst, so you can quickly curb hunger just by drinking more water.5
It’s estimated 75% of Americans don’t drink enough water daily, which leads to dehydration, which can lead to weight gain.6 Dehydrated people also have decreased energy levels and are more likely to have injuries like pulled muscles.7
A good rule of thumb is to drink at least half your body weight daily. So if you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink at least 90 oz. of water. Use a water bottle and then calculate how many you should drink daily. Everybody is different and you may need more depending on your individual needs.
When I used to coach basketball I’d tell my athletes that if their urine was clear, they were in the clear, but if it looked like apple juice, they should keep drinking water.
You can also make lemon water by adding fresh lemon juice to a glass of water. The lemon is alkalizing and makes the water taste better, encouraging you to drink more water. The lemon juice stimulates stomach acid, which improves digestion.8 And lemon water helps flush out toxins from the body.
Replacing sugary drinks with water can be a game-changer for weight loss. I use a sparkling water maker machine and metabolism-boosting flavor drops. This rewards taste-motivated people, helping you drink more water effortlessly while boosting your metabolism.
Green Tea
Green tea is a weight loss powerhouse loaded with antioxidants and catechins. Numerous studies have found that it’s effective for weight loss by elevating metabolic rate and reducing inflammation.9
Unfortunately, some people avoid green tea because they think the caffeine is bad for them. Yet caffeine in moderate amounts is very effective at raising your metabolism to burn more fat.
It’s not only the caffeine content in green tea that gives it its superpowers. The super antioxidant ECGC (Epigallocatechin gallate) is a catechin that’s the real force in green tea. These catechins increase thermogenesis (elevates heat to burn more calories) and reduce appetite by influencing hormones ghrelin (hunger hormone) and peptide YY.10,11
It works by mobilizing fat from your cells, so you’ll not only lose weight but also burn fat. This study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, found that the ECGCs and caffeine in green tea were effective in losing weight.12
I usually prefer to drink my green tea early in the afternoons. Make sure you don’t drink it too late though so the caffeine doesn’t mess with your quality of sleep. If you don’t want to drink green tea then you can also supplement it instead.
Drinking 2-3 cups daily is recommended to get the benefits of green tea safely. This equates to about 100-300 mg of EGCG polyphenols. You can find more of my top weight loss teas here.
Morning Slimming Drink
You’ll want to see this if you’re looking for a beverage you can drink in the morning that helps you lose weight. Adding this to your morning routine will help your body burn more calories, reduce appetite, improve digestion, and increase energy.
You can also drink this in the evening to help lose weight overnight. You can add a bag of chamomile tea to the water and let it seep for 10 minutes. The chamomile will help you fall asleep faster and improve deep sleep quality.
Here’s the slimming drink recipe:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 lemon (squeeze juice)
- 1/2 tsp of Ceylon cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp paprika (or cayenne pepper if you like it spicy)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp raw honey (don’t add this if fasting)
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
Just mix it all up and drink with a straw. If the flavor is too strong for you, add another cup of water to dilute the taste. You can have it 1-2 times per day. You can also use it as an intermittent fasting drink, except be sure not to add the honey since that will break your fast.
Now, let’s get into the rest of my Top 10 drinks for weight loss…
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of those old-timey remedies your Grandma told you about. It turns out Grandma was right as the science has caught up with data proving the weight loss benefits of this super elixir.
Studies have found apple cider vinegar to be effective for:
- Lower blood sugar levels13
- Lower insulin levels14
- Increase fat burning15
- Suppressing appetite
- Boosting metabolism
Acetic acid is the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar that gives it all its health benefits.16 It has the ability to slow stomach emptying, which can help you feel fuller for longer. This reduces overeating. It also blunts the blood sugar response from eating sugars and carbs.
I recommend taking 1-2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar before your biggest meal of the day. This will help reduce the blood sugar and insulin response that can lead to weight gain. If you are intermittent fasting, take it 10-20 minutes before your first meal that breaks your fast.
Mix the apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink through a straw. The water will help dilute the vinegar, making it easier to drink. The straw will keep the vinegar off your teeth since it’s acidic and could contribute to wearing down tooth enamel.
When buying apple cider vinegar, make sure you find one that’s organic, raw, unfiltered, and still has the mother inside. This kind of apple cider vinegar will have the most benefits for digestive health since it contains natural probiotics.
Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is the brand I take and recommend.
Low-carb Protein Shakes
A low-carb protein shake can act as a meal replacement shake for weight loss. Switch out an afternoon snack or meal for a low-carb protein shake to keep your metabolism going, build lean muscle, and reduce hunger.
A quality protein powder can increase fat loss while improving lean muscle, so you’ll not only become thinner but also have some toning.17 Most people want to become thinner, but if you don’t have any muscle tone, then you could end up with thin fat obesity, aka “skinny fat.”
The trick is to find a low-carb protein powder that doesn’t contain added sugars, artificial sweeteners, fillers, and other additives many manufacturers add. Use a low-carb protein powder that’s naturally sweetened, only contains a few grams of carbs at most, is sourced from grass-fed cows, and ideally contains a blend of quick and slow-absorbing protein sources.
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Getting protein early in the morning is very effective for raising your metabolism.18 I know it’s hard for many people to eat early in the day, so I recommend they conveniently drink a protein shake.
About 25g of protein at a time is enough for most people to see benefits.19 You should feel fuller after drinking a low-carb protein shake since it increases satiety more than carbs or fats. This makes it easier to stick with a low-calorie diet since you shouldn’t be as hungry.20
The low-carb content will help reduce blood sugar and insulin spikes that put your body into a fat-storing mode.21 Keeping your carb intake low encourages your body to enter a state of ketosis that burns more fat for fuel instead of carbs.
Pu-erh Tea
One of my favorite teas for weight loss is pu-erh tea. I first heard about pu-erh tea from Tim Ferriss, who praised it for its fat-burning and anti-inflammatory effects. It’s a fermented black tea from the Yunnan province in China that can help you lose weight.
The fermentation process in pu-erh tea produces compounds that boost metabolic rate and increases fat burning.22 Studies have found that pu-erh tea can help burn belly fat and lower blood lipids.23
Pu-erh tea is rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation by eliminating damage causing free radicals.24 These antioxidants are great for anti-aging since they help to slow down the aging process and improve skin health.
Drinking pu-erh tea can improve the digestion of fats. This makes it easier for your body to burn and eliminate these fats instead of your body storing them as fat.25 The less fat that’s absorbed by your body, then the more weight loss you’ll have.
I like to drink 2 cups about 30 minutes to an hour after meals to aid digestion and promote fat burning. Pu-erh tea does contain caffeine so make sure you don’t drink it too late in the day.
Yerba Mate
If you’re looking for a caffeine drink without the jitters, yerba mate may be the answer. They say it has “the strength of coffee, the benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate.”
Yerba mate has a unique composition that’s beneficial for weight loss. It boost your metabolism by increasing the thermogenic effect in your body. Yerba mate also helps reduce feelings of hunger, making it easier to keep your calorie intake low.26
It also contains xanthines (theobromine and theophylline), that provide a natural energy boost but without the jitters. This can help increase physical activity and endurance during your day. You’ll have less fatigue by drinking yerba mate, which can help you stay more active, thus burning more calories.27
This study found that the expression of genes that had changed with obesity switched back to normal after drinking yerba mate.28 This is a signal that yerba mate can reduce inflammation in body fat tissue making it easier for your body to burn off.
Make sure to avoid many of the Yerba Mate sparkling canned drinks since they usually contain added sugars. Instead, it’s best to brew your own yerba mate from loose sources.
Diet Coke
While Diet Coke isn’t the perfect beverage, it is a good alternative to regular Coke for weight loss. Diet Coke uses the zero-calorie artificial sweetener aspartame instead of regular sugar to sweeten it.
Since Diet Coke contains zero calorie it won’t add to your daily calorie intake. A standard 12 oz. can of Coke contains 39 grams of sugar, so if you really want to drink a Coke, a Diet Coke will be a better option.
There are concerns that artificial sweeteners could still cause an insulin response in your body. This is due to the cephalic response effect. Since aspartame is 200x sweeter than sugar, your body could respond by releasing insulin in anticipation of incoming sugars and carbs.29
While there are studies finding those using artificial sweeteners instead of sugar can lose weight, you still should only drink diet sodas in low moderation.30 Your body could develop a higher tolerance to sweetness since diet sodas are so sweet. This could cause you to end up craving more sweet high-calorie foods the rest of the time.31
I wouldn’t say Diet Coke or sodas are healthy for you, but they’re a better option than regular sugary sodas if you’re trying to lose weight. Just make sure you drink them in moderation. And be aware of what you’re eating the rest of the time.
Micronutrient Smoothie
I’ve been drinking this Micronutrient Smoothie for over a year, and I can’t tell you how much better I’ve felt since. Dr. Rhonda Patrick created it to help people consume the micronutrients they weren’t getting in their diets more easily.
Micronutrients are vitamins, minerals, and cofactors essential for your body to function properly. More research shows that not fulfilling your micronutrient requirements, such as potassium, magnesium, etc., can lead to many diseases and a broken metabolism.32
Mitochondria dysfunction can occur from micronutrient deficiencies. Your mitochondria are the powerhouse of your cells. Healthy mitochondria produce more ATP (energy) that fuels cellular activities and your energy levels.
Your body needs healthy mitochondria to enhance its ability to burn fat for energy.33 Healthy mitochondria boost your metabolic rate, causing your body to burn more calories at rest. Your inflammation levels will also decrease as mitochondria health improves by reversing mitochondria deficiencies.34
- 8 kale leaves
- 3 cups of flax milk
- 4 rainbow chard leaves
- 3 cups of spinach
- 1 medium tomato
- 2 carrots
- 1 apple
- 1 avocado
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 banana
- 1 shot of flax seed
I don’t add the banana since it contains a flavanol blocking enzyme “polyphenol oxidase” (PPO). PPO can cancel 84% of the beneficial flavanols in your smoothie. Flavanols are natural yet powerful bioactive compounds with high antioxidant properties.35
I’ve personally noticed I feel a lot more energy and my mood is much better when I’m drinking this Micronutrient Smoothie.
Try buying the frozen versions of the fruits and veggies that you can. They’ll stay fresher longer and hold in their nutrients more. Use a powerful blender like a Vitamix to make a consistently smooth blend.
If you’re having trouble getting these veggies and fruits into your diet daily then I’d recommend drinking this Micronutrient Smoothie. You get most of your daily veggie and fruit requirements all in one fell swoop.
While not as good as this smoothie, you can also supplement with a super greens powder if you don’t like eating veggies.
Coffee
Last but not least is good ol’ coffee. I remember being a kid in the 80s most people thought drinking coffee was bad for you. But it turns out that black coffee is loaded with health benefits, including weight loss.
Coffee can enhance weight loss by:
- Boosting metabolism via increased thermogenesis and fat oxidation
- Reducing hunger by suppressing appetite
- Improving physical performance and activity levels by boosting energy
- Improving insulin sensitivity
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found coffee drinkers have an increased metabolism, burning more fat than those who don’t drink it daily.36 And this study found a 15% lower risk mortality than non-coffee drinks.37
To fully experience coffee’s metabolism-boosting effects, it is recommended that you drink 2-3 cups a day. This amount can increase your metabolic rate and fat oxidation. Of course, you may need to adjust this depending on how well your body handles caffeine.
Avoid sugary and high-calorie coffee creamers. Stevia, monk fruit, and allulose are healthy zero-calorie natural sugar substitutes that are better for your health and weight loss.
Try adding a keto coffee creamer to your morning coffee. A keto coffee creamer that contains C8-MCTs (caprylic acid) will efficiently be converted into ketones via your liver. These ketones are what your body makes from fat stores for fuel.38
So, by taking C8-MCTs with your coffee, you’ll help to kickstart the fat-burning process. You’ll get the best results combined with morning intermittent fasting.
Delivers 5g of pure C8-MCTs (the most ketogenic MCT) to naturally elevate ketone levels. Supports enhanced energy, mental clarity & appetite control — get the benefits of keto... without having to eat keto!
- Boosts Ketone Production: Supports elevated ketone levels without the need for carb restriction
- Enhances Energy & Focus: Provides quick, clean energy & promotes mental clarity
- Manages Appetite: Helps control cravings & supports healthy weight management
