Can your daily cuppa really help you lose weight?

The idea that sipping a hot brew could help you lose weight might sound too good to be true. But, without milk or sugar, tea has no calories, says registered dietician, Lynne Garton. ‘If you swapped a latte (95 calories) for a cup of tea with semi-skimmed milk (13 calories) every day, in a year you'd drop your calorie intake sufficiently to lose more than 8lb,' she says. But, swap your humble cup of builder's tea for exotic leaves and you may actually burn fat. Green and black teas contain different types of naturally occurring flavonoids. The main flavonoids in green tea are catechins - thought to be responsible for its slimming effects, particularly when combined with caffeine, which also occurs naturally in green tea.

Last year, research published in the International Journal of Obesity found that catechins combined with caffeine significantly reduced body weight and helped to keep weight steady after a period of weight loss. Similar research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that catechins and caffeine caused a drop in weight, body mass index and waist circumference.

Waistlines aside, there's plenty of research to confirm that tea may benefit our health. The flavonoids it contains are powerful antioxidants, which may help to mop up harmful molecules that cause cell damage. This in turn may help to protect us from illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and stroke. Tea is also a source of fluoride - important for healthy teeth and strong bones.

Plus, the Food Standards Agency says tea counts towards our daily fluid requirement. According to Lynne, ongoing research suggests that drinking just four cups of tea a day may offer significant health benefits. So enjoy your brew - just skip the sugar and biscuits!

Slimming teas

Wulong or oolong

Participants in a small study found they burned ten per cent more calories after drinking this tea. Available from birtandtang.co.uk.

Porangaba tea

This is said to suppress appetite, boost metabolism and increase energy levels. Available from worldwidehealthcenter.net.

Pu-erh tea

An ancient Chinese brew. This reportedly helps you stay slim and may also help to reduce cholesterol. Available from birtandtang.co.uk.

Okinawan tea

This green tea is frequently drunk by people in the Japanese island of Okinawa, which has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Available from supermarkets.