To keep inflammation to a minimum, Dr. O'Keefe recommends a restricted-calorie diet (similar to the Mediterranean diet), consisting of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, vinegar, tea, and fish oil, as well as low to moderate alcohol intake.

CNN: The cholesterol-inflammation connection

Analysis of Payouji tea and Pai You Guo Slim capsules by the UK medicines watchdog revealed they contained diet drug sibutramine.

BBC: 'Unsafe' drug found in herbal tea

Caffeine, guanine, taurine and green tea extracts all have these properties, says Ron Mendel, who has done research on diet drinks that combine these ingredients.

BBC: Who, Why, What: Can foods have negative calories?