This health claim is intentionally left as vague as possible. It implies that the tea has the ability to remove toxins from the human body but provides no details on the type of toxins involved, nor how the detox effect is achieved.
We are also told that the tea "gently rebalances", leaving it as a complete mystery as to what bodily system is rebalanced. Can a simple cup of tea really "rebalance" something so complicated as the human body? What does "rebalance" actually mean?
Toxins can be grouped into three types, bacterial/viral (such as the common cold and pneumonia), chemical (such as dioxins or pesticide residues) and heavy metal (lead, mercury etc) contamination.
The question then is, can drinking tea remove any or all of these toxins from the human body?
I searched for evidence that the compounds in tea can remove heavy metals or harmful chemicals from the human body, but found no long term study that demonstrated this. in fact, there are worries that, rather than removing heavy metals, some herbal teas may contain these poisons.
There is some evidence that certain teas may have a limited antibacterial effect and also may be a source of antioxidant compounds, but this seems to depend on the variety of the tea plant. However, the tea companies do not tell us if this is the "detox" property they promise.
Perhaps the best summing up of the current state of our understanding of the possible health benefits of tea is that provided by the Mayo Clinic.
"While numerous studies have found possible benefits, the actual benefits of drinking tea are not certain. Most research about tea's benefits is based on population (epidemiological) studies. Findings are limited because factors other than tea consumption could influence the results. Here's some of what's known about tea's potential benefits:
Cardiovascular: It's still uncertain if drinking tea over long periods might positively affect cholesterol levels, blood pressure and atherosclerosis. There's some early evidence that regularly drinking green tea may reduce heart attack risk or atherosclerosis. There's conflicting evidence on black tea consumption and heart attack risk reduction.
Cancer: It's still unknown whether regular black tea consumption influences cancer rates. Early lab tests with white tea indicate it may protect against colon cancer in particular. So far, well-designed studies haven't proven this.
Bone and joint health: Early laboratory research indicates green tea could be beneficial in reducing inflammation related to arthritis and slowing cartilage breakdown. Some early data indicate that regular tea consumption might improve bone mineral density in older women.
Memory: Studies are limited, but a recent one found that older adults in Japan who drank green tea daily showed less risk of memory difficulty, compared with those who didn't drink tea regularly."
So it seems that drinking tea may well have health benefits, but not in the way promised by the tea companies when they refer to "toxins" and "rebalance". Further trials are needed to confirm these potential benefits
We do know for certain however, that our bodies remove toxins using the liver, kidneys, skin, intestines and lungs and these that organs are perfectly capable of removing and excreting most toxins quickly and efficiently, without the need to consume "detox tea".
The claim that the detox tea "gently rebalances" is meaningless and impossible to investigate unless we are given more information on what specifically, is being rebalanced. There are many different factors involved in regulating the chemical balance of the human body. It is very unlikely that one cup of tea could alter or influence all of these factors.
The reason the claims are so vague is that the companies cannot take the risk of making a specific claim because then their claim can be tested, and most likely found to be false.
On the website of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland it states:
"Recently, a new European Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006) on nutrition and health claims made on foods marketed within the European Union, was introduced into law. The Regulation also covers claims made on food supplements, foods for particular nutritional uses (PARNUTS), natural mineral waters and water intended for human consumption.
This Regulation is wide in scope and will cover the use of all wording and symbols which imply that a food provides a particular nutritional or health benefit. It also applies to nutrition and health claims made in commercial communications whether in the labelling, presentation or advertising of foods to be delivered to the final consumer.
Over the past number of years, there has been a substantial increase in the number and type of nutrition and health claims appearing on food labels within the EU.
The main aim of this new Regulation is to allow consumers to make informed food choices, by ensuring that they receive accurate information and are not misled. Claims made on foods must be clear and understandable by the average consumer. Claims that exaggerate a food's expected health benefits and/or are not adequately substantiated by scientific evidence will no longer be permitted."
You can judge for yourself if "Detox Teas" comply with the spirit of this regulation.