Written by Shereen, Product Management Associate · Updated 22 October 2026
Do slimming teas and drinks actually work?
A slimming drink can support weight management when it contains ingredients studied in people, at the amounts used in those studies, alongside balanced meals, movement and sleep. Many "detox" teas work differently: their laxative or diuretic herbs mainly move water and bowel contents, so the lighter reading on the scale returns once you eat and drink normally.
This article is for you if: you've seen slimming teas and drinks all over your feed or on Shopee and Lazada, and want to know which ones are worth your money, and how to choose one that fits a busy week in Singapore.
Slimming drinks are a crowded shelf. Some are herbal teas built around a laxative or a diuretic, some are simply tea, and some are formulated around a specific ingredient that has been tested in clinical trials. They can look alike on the packet, but they do very different things. Here's how each type works, what Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) advises, and what to look for on the label.
→ See Sicilian Orange Slimming Elixir, our ready-to-drink blood orange sachet for weight management
In this article
- What do detox and slimming teas actually do?
- Is it safe to drink a laxative tea every day?
- Why does HSA warn about some slimming products?
- What should a slimming drink contain instead?
- How do the different slimming drinks compare?
- Where does a slimming drink fit in your routine?
- Frequently asked questions
What do detox and slimming teas actually do?
Most "detox" and "flat tummy" teas work through one of two effects: a laxative effect that empties the bowel, or a diuretic effect that makes you pass more urine. Both change the number on the scale quickly, and both mostly involve water and bowel contents rather than body fat.
- Laxative teas. Stimulant laxatives such as senna trigger the bowel muscles to push stools out, and they usually take 6 to 12 hours to work.[1] That's why these teas are often taken at night. In a classic study, researchers measured how many calories the body still absorbed during heavy laxative use: even purging that produced 4 to 6 litres of diarrhoea cut calorie absorption by only about 12%.[2]
- Diuretic teas. Herbs such as dandelion leaf increase urine output. In a small study of 17 adults, a dandelion leaf extract increased how often people needed to urinate in the 5 hours after a dose.[3] Water lost this way is regained as you drink, which in Singapore's heat happens quickly.
- "Detox" programmes. NCCIH, the complementary health institute of the US National Institutes of Health, notes that a review found no compelling research supporting "detox" diets for weight management, and that weight lost on them tends to return once people go back to normal eating.[4]
So if you feel lighter and flatter the morning after a detox tea, that's real, but it's mostly water and an emptier bowel. If you're not sure whether your tummy is bloated or holding water, see our guide to telling bloating from fluid retention.
Is it safe to drink a laxative tea every day?
Laxatives are designed for short-term relief of constipation, not for daily use as a slimming routine. The NHS says that using laxatives too often or for too long can cause dehydration and low potassium levels, with symptoms such as headaches, light-headedness, muscle weakness and tiredness.[1]
A few practical habits help:
- Check the ingredient list for senna, sennosides, cascara, rhubarb root or aloe, which are common laxative herbs in slimming teas.
- If you need help with constipation, ask a pharmacist or doctor which option suits you and for how long, and start with fibre and water.
- Stop and see a doctor if you feel dizzy, weak or unwell.
Why does HSA warn about some slimming products?
HSA regularly tests slimming products sold in Singapore, especially online, and has found some that contain undeclared medicines. In one alert, HSA reported 4 slimming products: 3 contained a weight-loss medicine banned in Singapore since 2010 because of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, and 1 contained a laxative (sennoside).[5]
HSA's advice to consumers is simple and worth keeping in mind:[5]
- Be wary of products that make exaggerated weight loss claims or deliver unexpectedly quick effects.
- Avoid buying from unfamiliar sources, and take care when buying online.
- Stop taking a product and see a doctor if you feel unwell.
What should a slimming drink contain instead?
Look for a drink built around a named ingredient that has been tested in human trials, at the same daily amount the trials used. That's the clearest sign the formula was designed around evidence rather than a quick drop on the scale.
- A named, studied ingredient. A specific extract or strain you can look up, rather than a vague "proprietary herbal blend".
- The amount per serving. The label should show how much of the key ingredient each serving gives, so you can match it to the studies.
- A realistic timeframe. Trials on slimming ingredients run for weeks to months, so expect a daily habit, not an overnight change.
- A clear, full ingredient list. Laxative herbs, caffeine sources and sweeteners should all be easy to spot.
- A known seller. Buy from the brand or an established retailer, in line with HSA's advice.
For a step-by-step walk through a supplement label, see how to read a supplement label in Singapore.
How do the different slimming drinks compare?
The four common types of slimming drink differ in what's inside and what they do. Here's a side-by-side view to help you read the packet.
| Type of drink | What's usually in it | What it does | What to check on the label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laxative "detox" tea | Senna or other stimulant laxative herbs, often with tea leaves | Empties the bowel within 6 to 12 hours; most calories are still absorbed | Senna, sennosides, cascara, rhubarb root, aloe |
| Diuretic herbal tea | Dandelion leaf or similar herbs | Increases urine output, so you lose water that returns as you drink | Herbs described as "water-releasing" or "debloating" |
| Plain green tea or kosong tea | Tea leaves, no added sugar | A zero-sugar swap for sweetened drinks: a regular teh has about 5 teaspoons of sugar, teh o kosong has none | No added sugar or syrups |
| Evidence-based slimming drink | A named ingredient tested in human trials, such as Moro blood orange extract | Daily support for weight management alongside eating, movement and sleep | The ingredient's name and amount per serving, matched to the studies |
Sources: NHS, a calorie absorption study on laxatives, a diuretic study on dandelion leaf, NCCIH, HealthHub and clinical trials on Moro blood orange extract.[1] [2] [3] [4] [6] [7]
Plain tea earns its place in the table because what you drink adds up. According to HealthHub, a regular teh has about 5 teaspoons of sugar and a kopi about 4, while teh o kosong and kopi o kosong have none.[6] Swapping even one sweet drink a day is an easy win.
Where does a slimming drink fit in your routine?
A slimming drink works best as one small daily habit inside a bigger plan: meals with enough protein and fibre, regular movement and good sleep. Our article on why weight loss plans fail, and the habits that last covers that plan in detail.
When it comes to the drink itself, Moro blood orange extract is one of the better-studied ingredients. In a 6-month placebo-controlled trial, overweight adults who took the extract daily alongside diet and exercise had greater reductions in body weight, waist and hip measurements and fat mass than the placebo group.[7] An earlier 12-week study using 400 mg a day of the same extract also found greater reductions in body weight, waist and hip measurements than placebo.[8]
Sicilian Orange Slimming Elixir is built around that ingredient. Each ready-to-drink sachet has 400 mg of Morosil® Moro blood orange extract, the daily amount used in the trials, plus 10 billion postbiotic cells of the Bifidobacterium lactis CECT 8145 strain and 500 mg of L-carnitine. It has been tested by SGS, a government-accredited food analysis company, and does not contain any chemicals commonly found in clinical medicine. Take 1 sachet a day, about 30 minutes before a meal, with no mixing needed. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication or have allergies, check with your doctor first.
Shop Sicilian Orange Slimming Elixir
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Related reading: Why do weight loss plans fail? 5 myths that hold you back · How to read a supplement label in Singapore · Bloating vs fluid retention: how to tell the difference
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to use a laxative for constipation?
Yes, laxatives are a recognised short-term option for constipation. Ask a pharmacist or doctor which type suits you and how long to use it. More fibre, enough water and regular movement are good first steps alongside it.
How long should I take a slimming drink before judging it?
Studies on slimming ingredients usually run for several months, so judge a slimming drink over weeks rather than days. Track your waist measurement, energy and how your clothes fit, as well as the scale. Keep your meals, movement and sleep steady so you can see what the drink adds.
Can I drink a detox tea and take a slimming supplement together?
It's best not to combine products without checking their labels first, because some slimming teas contain laxatives or caffeine-rich herbs. Choose one evidence-based product as your daily habit. If you take medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist before adding anything new.
Is Sicilian Orange Slimming Elixir a laxative tea?
No. Sicilian Orange Slimming Elixir is a ready-to-drink sachet built around Morosil® Moro blood orange extract, with postbiotic cells of the CECT 8145 strain and L-carnitine. It is not a laxative or diuretic tea. Take 1 sachet a day, about 30 minutes before a meal.
Key takeaways
- Many detox teas work as laxatives or diuretics, so the quick drop on the scale is mostly water and bowel contents.
- Laxatives are for short-term constipation relief, and the NHS links overuse with dehydration and low potassium.
- HSA has found undeclared medicines and laxatives in some slimming products, so buy from known sellers and be wary of quick-result claims.
- Look for a named ingredient tested in human trials, at the daily amount those trials used.
- A drink such as Sicilian Orange Slimming Elixir works best as daily support alongside balanced meals, movement and sleep.
About the author: Shereen is a Product Management Associate at The Purest Co. A Master's graduate in Pharmacy from Monash University, she brings four years of research experience to product development, with a focus on evidence-based, thoughtfully formulated supplements that support everyday wellbeing.
References
[1] NHS. Laxatives. Page last reviewed 30 April 2026.
[2] Bo-Linn GW et al. Purging and calorie absorption in bulimic patients and normal women. Ann Intern Med. 1983.
[3] Clare BA et al. The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day. J Altern Complement Med. 2009.
[4] National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). "Detoxes" and "cleanses": what you need to know. Last updated March 2025.
[5] Health Sciences Authority. HSA alert: four slimming products found to contain banned substance or laxative. 10 September 2020.
[6] Health Promotion Board, HealthHub. Reduce sugar content in drinks: say siu dai instead for a healthier brew. Last reviewed 28 October 2025.
[7] Briskey D et al. Effectiveness of "Moro" blood orange Citrus sinensis Osbeck (Rutaceae) standardized extract on weight loss in overweight but otherwise healthy men and women: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Nutrients. 2022.
[8] Cardile V et al. Clinical evaluation of Moro (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) orange juice supplementation for the weight management. Nat Prod Res. 2015.
These statements have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Consult a healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on prescribed medication.