Jean-Michel Cohen warns about “miracle teas” and wellness infusions

Many people reach for tea and herbal infusions for health reasons - but a well-known nutrition doctor is now highlighting which varieties can backfire.

On the shelf they look harmless: bright boxes, slim silhouettes, and promises of better sleep, a flatter stomach and fewer water-retention issues. That is exactly why health-conscious shoppers and people trying to lose weight often choose special teas and so-called wellness infusions. French nutrition doctor Jean-Michel Cohen has taken a closer look at several of these products - and his verdict is plainly sceptical.

Why many “miracle teas” fail to deliver on their promise

Tea and herbal infusions are, rightly, among the most popular hot-drink alternatives to coffee. Green tea, black tea, fruit tea - the choice is enormous. At the same time, a growing market is pushing products marketed specifically for “drainage”, “slim while you sleep” or “fat burning”.

This is where Cohen’s criticism starts. His issue is not tea itself, but how many industrial products are formulated. Behind glossy names and attractive packaging, he says you often find:

• Broken fragments and “dust” from tea leaves rather than whole leaves
• Heavy flavouring, often artificial or nature-identical
• Sugar or sweetening additives
• Marketing claims that go far beyond reality

“Anyone who thinks they’re drinking some kind of miracle cure in a flavoured cup of tea quickly ends up with a flavoured sugary drink in a bag.”

In his view, you only get tea’s potential health benefits when leaf quality is good and the ingredients list stays simple.

Whole leaves instead of powder and dust

A key point is leaf quality. Specialists point out that the most aromatic and most valuable leaves are the small ones growing close to the plant’s bud. Ideally, they should be used as intact leaves.

According to Cohen, many cheaper bagged teas contain mostly what is left over after processing: small pieces and fine particles. These so-called “fannings” and “dust” release far less natural aroma. To make the drink smell and taste intense anyway, manufacturers then lean on added flavourings.

The result is a strange contradiction: the cup smells strongly of berry, mint or biscuit - but there is relatively little real plant material steeping in the water.

“In some products there are more added flavourings than tangible plant ingredients that actually make the tea what it is.”

Cohen’s advice is to choose teas where the plant parts are visible and easy to recognise - for example loose-leaf tea, or bags filled with coarsely cut leaves and herbs.

Four tea and infusion types the nutrition doctor warns against

In his review, the doctor assessed several well-known products and criticised four particularly strongly. For him, three factors matter most: how much flavouring is used, how much sugar is included, and whether the claims are misleading.

1. Berry flavour instead of berries: the fruit tea with blue and red fruit

One example is a flavoured tea from a well-known brand that advertises blueberry and raspberry. Pictures on the front suggest a fruity, natural blend. Cohen argues, however, that the drink is largely built on flavourings, while real fruit ingredients are minimal.

There is also another concern: the product contains liquorice (liquorice root). This ingredient can raise blood pressure and is therefore problematic for people with hypertension, especially with regular intake.

• Heavy use of flavourings
• Hardly any real fruit content
• Liquorice - a poor choice if you have hypertension

2. Tea as dessert: the chocolate–hazelnut latte in a teabag

He also takes issue with another tea-based drink from the same brand, marketed as a blend of chocolate, nut and spiced tea with a creamy latte-style effect. The message is clear: a cosy, winter comfort drink that is still supposed to be “just tea”.

Cohen sees it more as a dessert in a mug than a straightforward hot drink. Products like this often include:

• Flavourings for chocolate, nuts and spices
• Additives designed to create a creamy mouthfeel
• Sometimes sugar or sweeteners

If you drink these latte-style variants regularly, it is easy to add extra energy without mentally categorising it as a “proper” sweet treat. For people trying to lose weight, that hidden calorie source can slow progress.

3. Capsule tea with a sugar hit: the “oriental” mint tea

Cohen is especially blunt about a capsule tea from a major coffee-capsule brand that aims to mimic North African mint tea. His main criticism is the ingredients list: sugar appears first.

“Based on his calculation, making a cup means drinking roughly the equivalent of a sugar cube - from a drink that is supposed to be a ‘light’ alternative to fizzy drinks.”

Anyone having several cups across the day can quickly rack up a meaningful amount of extra sugar. That is particularly unhelpful for people with diabetes, insulin resistance, or an increased risk of metabolic disease.

4. “Fat burner” infusion with hidden caffeine content

The fourth product he singles out is an herbal blend from an organic manufacturer that openly advertises a “fat burning” effect. Cohen considers the message exaggerated: it is not a miracle aid for weight loss.

On top of that, the blend contains theine (caffeine from tea leaves). Many customers expect an “infusion” to be a purely caffeine-free herbal drink. They may drink it in the evening to “stimulate” metabolism, and then be surprised by restlessness or difficulty falling asleep.

For the nutrition doctor, the takeaway is straightforward: promoting weight-loss promises while concealing caffeine inside a supposedly “harmless” herbal mix creates a misleading impression.

How to recognise a good tea

Cohen generally recommends choosing products with short, clear ingredient lists. The fewer items listed, the easier it is to see what will actually end up in your cup. In his view, the best options are teas where you can identify the components - mint leaves, dried lemon peel, chamomile flowers, hibiscus, rosehip.

Criterion	Better to avoid	Better to choose
Flavourings	“natural flavourings”, “flavourings”, long lists of added flavours	Real plant parts; only lightly flavoured or not flavoured at all
Leaf quality	Fine powder, barely recognisable ingredients	Coarser leaves, flowers and visible pieces
Sweeteners	Sugar, glucose syrup, intense sweeteners	Unsweetened; if needed, sweeten separately with a small amount of honey or sugar
Marketing promises	“fat killer”, “detox”, “de-sludging”	Plain descriptions such as “herbal tea with mint and fennel”

How tea and herbal infusions can actually help with weight loss

Tea will not make fat “melt away” on its own. Even so, it can play a useful role in a dietary change. Choosing an unsweetened cup can save a lot of calories compared with fizzy drinks, fruit juices or hot chocolate.

Many people drink a glass of water or tea before a meal and feel less hungry as a result. Feeling fuller sooner can help reduce calorie intake. Herbs such as peppermint, fennel, aniseed or caraway can also soothe digestion and ease bloating.

What still matters most, though, is total diet, physical activity and lifestyle. A “fat burning tea” is not a replacement for balanced meals or regular movement.

Risks: when tea is no longer harmless

Tea is often seen as risk-free by default. For certain groups, however, it is worth taking a closer look:

• People with high blood pressure: should consume liquorice products and liquorice root in tea blends only in small amounts.
• Pregnant people: need to be cautious with herbal mixes, as some plants are not recommended in larger doses.
• People with sleep problems: should avoid caffeinated teas such as green tea, black tea or mate in the evening and opt for genuine herbal infusions.
• People with diabetes: should check sweetened instant and capsule drinks carefully, as sugar can be hidden in them.

Practical tips for shopping and everyday use

If you want to play it safe, a few simple rules help:

• Read the ingredients list - not just the front of the pack.
• Where possible, choose loose-leaf tea or tea bags where you can clearly see the ingredients.
• Test your own preferences: many people find “flavour bombs” start to taste artificial after a short time.
• If you sweeten at all, do it yourself and keep it minimal.
• Treat “detox”, “slim” and “fat burning” claims with an automatic question mark.

It can also help to look at traditional tea cultures: whether green tea in East Asia or mint tea in North Africa, classic versions use only a few clear ingredients. They rely on higher-quality leaves, fresh herbs and a little sugar or honey - typically added deliberately and in measured amounts.

In everyday life, it is often enough to settle on two or three favourites that suit you and do not rely on overblown promises. A simple herbal infusion in the evening or a cup of unsweetened green tea in the afternoon can do more for wellbeing than any loud “miracle tea” blend from the supermarket.