Jean-Michel Cohen Warns About Four Teas and Herbal Infusions

Many people choose tea and herbal infusions for health reasons – a well-known nutrition doctor now explains which varieties can have the opposite effect.

They appear harmless on the shelf: colourful packs, slim silhouettes and promises of better sleep, a flatter stomach and less water retention. This is precisely why health-conscious shoppers and people hoping to lose weight often reach for specialist teas and so-called wellness infusions. French nutrition doctor Jean-Michel Cohen has examined several of these products more closely – and his verdict is clearly critical.

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

Tea and herbal infusions are rightly regarded as among the most popular hot alternatives to coffee. Green tea, black tea and fruit tea are available in countless varieties. At the same time, the market for products promoted with claims such as “drainage”, “slim while you sleep” and “fat burning” continues to grow.

This is where Cohen’s criticism begins. His concern is not so much tea itself, but the way many manufactured products are formulated. According to his assessment, stylish names and attractive packaging often conceal:

• fragments and “dust” from tea leaves rather than whole leaves
• heavily added flavourings, often artificial or nature-identical
• sugar or sweetening ingredients
• marketing claims that are greatly exaggerated

“Anyone who believes that a flavoured cup of tea is a kind of miracle cure can quickly end up with a flavoured sugary drink in a bag.”

In his view, tea’s potential health benefits can only be fully enjoyed when the leaves are of good quality and the ingredients list remains straightforward.

Whole leaves rather than powder and dust

One key issue is the quality of the tea leaves. Specialists point out that the most aromatic and valuable leaves are the small ones growing close to the plant’s bud. Ideally, they should be used whole.

However, Cohen says that many inexpensive tea bags mainly contain what is left after processing: broken pieces and fine particles. These so-called “fannings” and “dust” release far fewer natural flavours. Manufacturers then use added flavourings to ensure the tea still has an intense scent and taste.

This creates a paradox: the cup may smell strongly of berries, mint or biscuits, yet comparatively little genuine plant material is actually steeping in the water.

“Some products contain more added flavourings than tangible plant ingredients that actually make up the tea.”

Cohen recommends choosing teas in which the plant components are visible and easily recognisable – such as loose tea or bags containing coarsely cut leaves and herbs.

Four teas and infusions the nutrition doctor warns against

In his review, the doctor looked at several familiar products and singled out four for particularly strong criticism. In his opinion, three factors matter most: the level of flavourings, the sugar content and misleading claims.

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

One example is a flavoured tea from a well-known brand that is marketed with blueberry and raspberry. Images on the pack suggest a natural, fruity blend. Cohen’s objection, however, is that the drink consists primarily of flavourings. In his view, there is too little real fruit content.

There is another concern as well: the product contains liquorice. This ingredient can raise blood pressure, making it problematic for people with hypertension, especially when consumed regularly.

• Heavy use of flavourings
• Hardly any real fruit content
• Liquorice – unsuitable for hypertension

2. Tea like a dessert: chocolate-hazelnut latte in a bag

Another product from the same brand has also drawn criticism. It resembles a blend of chocolate, nuts and spiced tea, and is marketed with a creamy latte effect. The message is of a cosy winter drink that is still supposedly “just tea”.

Cohen sees it more as a dessert in a cup than a traditional hot drink. Products of this kind often include:

• flavourings for chocolate, nuts and spices
• ingredients that create a creamy texture
• sometimes sugar or sweeteners

Anyone choosing these latte-style varieties regularly can easily consume extra energy without regarding them as a “proper” sweet treat. For people seeking to lose weight in particular, this hidden source of calories may slow progress.

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

The doctor also uses strong language about a capsule tea from a major coffee-capsule brand, designed to evoke North African mint tea. Here, his main criticism concerns the ingredients list: sugar comes first.

“By his calculation, anyone preparing a cup drinks roughly the equivalent of one sugar cube – despite it being a drink presented as a ‘light’ alternative to fizzy drinks.”

Those drinking several cups during the day can quickly build up a meaningful amount of additional sugar. This is particularly unfavourable for people with diabetes, insulin resistance or an increased risk of metabolic illness.

4. “Fat-burning” infusion with hidden caffeine

The fourth product criticised is an herbal blend from an organic manufacturer that openly promotes a “fat-burning” effect. Cohen considers that message exaggerated: it is not a miracle product for weight loss.

In addition, the product contains caffeine from tea leaves. Many customers expect an “infusion” to be a wholly caffeine-free herbal drink. They may drink the blend in the evening to “boost” their metabolism, then later wonder why they feel restless or struggle to fall asleep.

For the nutrition doctor, the position is clear: promoting weight-loss claims while concealing caffeine in an ostensibly “harmless” herbal blend creates a misleading impression.

How consumers can identify good tea

Cohen generally advises choosing products with a short, clear ingredients list. The fewer items it contains, the easier it is to see what is genuinely ending up in the cup. In his view, the ideal teas are those where the ingredients can be identified: mint leaves, dried lemon peel, chamomile flowers, hibiscus and rosehips.

How tea and herbal infusions can genuinely support weight loss

Tea alone does not melt fat away. Nevertheless, it can play a useful role when changing eating habits. Choosing an unsweetened cup can save a considerable number of calories compared with fizzy drinks, fruit juices or hot chocolate.

Many people drink a glass of water or tea before a meal and subsequently feel less hungry. They feel full sooner, which can help reduce calorie intake. Herbs including peppermint, fennel, anise and caraway can also soothe digestion and ease bloating.

However, the key factors affecting weight remain overall diet, exercise and lifestyle. A “fat-burning tea” is no substitute for a balanced meal or regular physical activity.

Risks: when tea is no longer harmless

Many people consider tea entirely risk-free. Certain groups should nevertheless look more carefully:

• People with high blood pressure: should consume liquorice products and liquorice in tea blends only in small amounts.
• Pregnant women: need to be cautious with herbal mixtures, as some plants are not recommended in larger quantities.
• People with sleep problems: should avoid caffeinated teas such as green tea, black tea and mate in the evening, choosing genuine herbal infusions instead.
• People with diabetes: should scrutinise sweetened instant and capsule drinks, as they may contain hidden sugar.

Practical tips for shopping and everyday use

Anyone wishing to play it safe can follow a few simple rules:

• Read the ingredients list when shopping, rather than relying only on the front of the pack.
• Choose loose teas where possible, or tea bags in which the ingredients can be clearly seen.
• Test your own taste: many people find intensely flavoured products artificial after a short time.
• If sweetening at all, do it yourself and use very little.
• Automatically question products labelled “detox”, “slim” or “fat burning”.

It is also worth looking at traditional tea cultures. Whether green tea in East Asia or mint tea in North Africa, classic versions use only a few clear ingredients. Their appeal comes from high-quality leaves, fresh herbs and a little sugar or honey, which is usually added deliberately and in measured amounts.

In everyday life, it is often enough to find two or three favourite varieties that are well tolerated and make no exaggerated promises. A simple herbal infusion in the evening or a cup of unsweetened green tea in the afternoon may do more for wellbeing than any brightly packaged “miracle tea” blend from the supermarket.