Drinking hot water, with a few drops of lemon in it, has been among the popular hacks for weight loss. We have heard many friends and relatives recommend it. But does this hack really work?
While it is a great source of vitamin C and aids in digestion, to assume that a mug of hot water is going to melt away all the fat is a myth, celebrity nutritionist Kinita Kadakia Patel shared in an Instagram video.
“If losing the fat was as easy as adding lemon to hot water, a myth that needs to be busted!” the nutritionist captioned the post.
According to Healthline, lemon water is no better than regular water when it comes to weight loss. However, it can be used as a low-calorie replacement in place of a high-calorie beverage. This can potentially promote weight loss.
As for the other health benefits of lemon water, not only does it keep you hydrated, it also works wonders for the skin. According to the outlet, vitamin C in lemons reduce skin wrinkling, dry skin from ageing and damage from the sun. Read more about the benefits here.
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First published on: 19-07-2021 at 10:00:56 am
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01/4Does lemon water actually help in fat loss?
Most of us have grown up hearing that a glass of warm lemon water in the morning, with or without honey can help in weight loss. Most nutritionists also suggest that one should begin the day with lemon water. But does it really help? And why is it recommended by diet and weight loss experts? We have known the benefits of lemon as a digestive, cleanser and source of vitamin C. But can it actually help in fat loss? Let us explore.
02/4Why Lemon water?
As per experts, proper water intake is important for weight loss and adding lemon juice or lemon extracts to the water can not only amp up the taste, but at the same time help in burning that stubborn fat.
Lemons are a powerhouse of nutrients like fibers, minerals like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, pectin and citric acid. What’s more, the antioxidant properties present in lemons not only help in promoting weight loss, but at the same time prevent the damage caused by free radicals, improve heart health and prevent development of several types of cancers.
readmore03/4What makes Lemon Water a holy grail for weight watchers?
Lemon water is packed with the goodness of health enriching nutrients, but what makes it a holy grail for weight watchers is the presence of pectin, which helps in curbing appetite and reducing junk cravings. Moreover, the presence of flavonoids in lemon water helps in accelerating the metabolism, which further helps in weight loss.
Drinking lemon water daily can also help in reducing inflammation in the body and reduces water retention and flushes out the toxins from the body. Lastly, the presence of potassium in lemon water helps in reducing water weight and manages high blood pressure, and hydrates the body by replenishing the lost nutrients.
readmore04/4Here’s how you can make Lemon water at home?
To reap the maximum benefits, you can drink lemon water in the morning. Just warm some water and add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and enjoy.
You can accentuate the taste and effectiveness of your weight loss drinking by adding 1 teaspoon cumin and boiling the lemon slices in water. Next, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice after straining the blend. You can add 1 teaspoon of honey and kick start your mornings.
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It sounds almost too simple: Add a slice or two of fresh lemon to whatever you're drinking and you'll lose weight.
Maybe you've seen this claim making its rounds across the Wild West that is health and nutrition advice on social media. And if it leads to some questions, that's only natural. What is it about lemon, specifically, that's supposed to help me lose weight? How much of this stuff do I have to drink to achieve the benefits? Does the lemon hanging off this bucket filled with sweet tea I just bought at the gas station count?
Social influencers, so-called wellness experts, and questionable websites that start with the word "health" and end with the word "line" all argue that drinking lemon-spiked liquid can boost your metabolism, eliminate toxins, aid digestion, improve your skin, and even help you lose weight.
But could all this possibly be true? Could something so simple—something that's found in nearly every kitchen on the planet—be the key to living a healthier, slimmer life?
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Men's HealthLemons are, after all, incredibly inexpensive, and while you couldn’t exactly describe their taste as “AWESOME!” they are certainly refreshing and not unpleasant. And drinking lemon water isn’t as nasty as choking down a diet-sponsored “meal replacement” shake or as complex and blending together some type of detox concoction.
On paper, lemon water is a pretty easy sell. But what about the science?
We decided to turn to actual experts in order to get to the truth about lemon water and weight loss.
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Can lemon water help you lose weight?
According to people who know how the body works, all adding lemon to water really does is make your water taste like lemon.
“It’s not going to burn fat by any stretch of the imagination,” says Karen Ansel, R.D.N., author of Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging.
It’s obvious that if you’re using lemon water as a replacement for something else—a 400-calorie mega mocha whipped-cream-topped “coffee,” perhaps—yeah, you’ll lose weight. And there’s a little glimmer of hope that on its own, the water part of the equation may indirectly help your pounds-off efforts. “Drinking about 16 ounces of water before a meal has been shown to help with weight loss,” Ansel says.
In fact, one study published in the journal
Obesity found that obese adults who drank that much tap water before a meal (not sparkling) lost 2.8 pounds more over 12 weeks than people who didn’t “pre-load” with water, possibly because it made participants feel more full. “But adding lemon won’t do anything at
all to help you burn more calories,” Ansel says.
Can lemon water help you detox?
It's true that lemons have nutrients in them, such as vitamin C. But even an entire half a lemon in eight ounces of water won’t really change your body’s vitamin status much. And lemon as “detoxer”? Your liver already has detoxing covered for you.
Are there any side effects to drinking lemon water for weight loss?
If you like the taste of lemon water, and you're not drinking it solely for the purposes of losing weight or detoxing, great. Just be sure to chase your morning glass with a plain-water rinse.
“Lemon is very acidic and not great for tooth enamel,” Ansel says. Erosive food and drinks can weaken tooth enamel and brushing within about 30 minutes can remove some of it. Rinse right away after drinking lemon water, then wait a bit before you brush.
Marty Munson, currently the health director of Men's Health, has been a health editor at properties including Marie Claire, Prevention, Shape and RealAge. She's also certified as a swim and triathlon coach.