Lemon water is the easiest way to lose weight and stay healthy. There is a lot of discussion about it on forums dedicated to the fight against overweight. Today we will talk about how water with lemon helps you lose extra pounds, how effective it is in this matter and whether there are any contraindications. Let us immediately note that it is better to lose weight using a special program.
Lemon juice: benefits and harms, recipes, how to drink
According to many doctors, lemon water can actually be beneficial. It is important to take some precautions to avoid harming your health. Experts often note that this drink has the following positive properties: improves blood circulation, speeds up metabolism and maintains vitality. Additionally, lemon juice may also be beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Ingredients and calorie content of lemon water
The ingredients of this drink are as simple as possible - water and lemon, or lemon juice. So, this cocktail contains all the vitamins contained in lemon. Among them: ascorbic acid, vitamins A and B2, flavonoids, thiamine, potassium, fiber, as well as organic acids.
The drink can be safely considered low-calorie, since for every 100 ml there are only 1. 2 kcal. Even if honey is added, the calorie content will not increase much. In this case, it will be about 10-11 kcal.
Myths about lemon juice
Lemonade has long been filled with myths and legends. Among the most popular are:
- Helps eliminate excess weight. It is worth noting that this move will not be a magic wand. Just drinking water and expecting miracles is not enough. Weight loss is primarily a holistic approach.
- Stimulates liver function. There is actually no official data to prove this.
- Lemon water helps prevent dehydration. This is true, just like any other liquid.
- Increases vitamin C, calcium and iron content in the blood. This is also true but the levels of substances increase slightly.
- Lemon water improves immunity. This is still true, however, you will have to drink lots and lots of this water to somehow boost your immunity.
Despite many myths and misconceptions, lemon water is still the favorite drink of every girl who is losing weight.
Benefit and harm
Experts are still debating and researching the benefits and harms of water. Lemon water may have the following beneficial effects:
- improves digestion, speeds up metabolism;
- normalizes liver function, thanks to lemon juice, the flow of bile is normalized;
- reduce swelling;
- People with diabetes can drink lemon water to reduce sugar levels;
- helps restore blood pressure;
- strengthens blood vessels, makes them elastic. Lemon juice will be a good preventative measure for diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- increase immunity;
- remove waste and toxins;
- thins the blood, prevents the development of varicose veins and thrombosis;
- Helps maintain vision and prevent the development of cataracts.
However, if used incorrectly, it can cause significant harm to the body. First of all, the acid can seriously irritate the stomach lining and also harm tooth enamel. Some people note the appearance of teeth that are hypersensitive to heat or cold. The following symptoms are also commonly observed:
- Heartburn.
- Allergic reaction.
- Headache, irritability, fatigue. This may be due to reduced glucose levels.
- Stomach-ache.
To minimize the risk of such conditions, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of lemon juice.
Lemon water for weight loss
More and more people are discussing "miracle" water for weight loss on forums. Many amazing facts are attributed to her, but still you should not really hope for a miraculous effect. It is very important to observe proportions when preparing water to activate metabolic processes. You should not drink cold water if you want to lose weight. It is recommended to drink warm water, in this case it will normalize the acid-base balance and start metabolic processes. You need to drink 200-250 ml on an empty stomach. However, people with stomach problems should be careful. Examples include ulcers, gastritis, increased acidity. Nutritionists note that you need to drink up to 2 liters of fluid per day.
Lemon has the ability to remove waste and toxins. This fruit also has a fat-burning effect, thanks to which, as supporters of lemon juice say, you can lose 5 kg after 3-4 weeks of use.
Can you drink lemon water during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Lemon juice has many different effects on the female body. Regular consumption of it has a positive effect on the reproductive system, helps restore hormone levels and relieves health during menopause or painful periods.
Lemon also helps preserve the beauty and elasticity of women's skin, prevents the appearance of the first signs of aging and strengthens hair.
Pregnant women can drink this drink as it helps maintain immunity, improves digestion and also reduces toxic attacks. Lemon has good effects for the fetus, the child will develop a healthy nervous system and bones.
It is worth noting that during breastfeeding, all positive aspects become negative. Citrus is a strong allergen, so it's best not to risk it, breast milk containing even a small amount of lemon can harm the baby.
How to drink lemon water properly
Like any product, lemon juice must be consumed properly. Only in this case can maximum effectiveness be achieved. Usually, experts identify the following universal rules:
- The freshness of the drink should not raise any questions. Ideally, you should prepare the drink right before drinking.
- Additionally, the first dose should be 30 minutes before a meal and 20-30 minutes after. In no case should you drink foods containing citrus juice.
- You should not drink more than 200 ml at a time.
- To avoid damaging tooth enamel, it's best to drink water through a straw. And after your appointment, brush your teeth.
There are also recommendations regarding when to drink lemon. It is very important to pay attention to this for people suffering from diseases of the digestive tract.
Drink lemon water in the morning on an empty stomach
Lemon water on an empty stomach can be very beneficial as it helps activate metabolism and cleanse the body. Citrus also has an invigorating effect. By drinking it regularly in the morning, you can give up tea and coffee.
In addition, lemon cocktail perfectly eliminates thirst and restores the body after illness. In the morning, the body may become extremely thirsty. It needs water to remove toxins and also to rejuvenate cells. In the morning, lemon helps activate the kidneys to function more effectively.
Lemon water helps digestion. For example, it can regulate the secretion of gastric juice. Helps cleanse the liver and has a cleansing effect on the respiratory tract.
Lemon water at night
You can drink this cocktail at night. In this case, it will help calm nerves and improve sleep quality. If you drink a glass (200 ml) in the evening, then even at night the body will continue to break down fats. And in the morning, bowel movements will be ready to become active.
Which lemonade is better to drink: hot or cold?
You can add lemon to both cold and hot water. There won't be much difference. A cooler drink will quench your thirst perfectly. But warm liquids are the most effective for weight loss. Thanks to the warm temperature, the digestive process is accelerated, and warm water does not irritate mucous membranes.
If we talk specifically about boiling water, then it is important to note that water that already contains lemon should not be boiled. This can destroy all the beneficial properties of vitamin C. But you can add lemon to boiling water, so all the beneficial effects will be preserved inside the fruit.
How to make lemonade
There is nothing easier than preparing such a mixture. It seems like mixing water and lemon is a simple recipe. However, there are many different variations on how to diversify the flavor of your drink.
Classic recipe
One hundred percent classic is to use only 2 simple ingredients. You need to squeeze the juice from ½ lemon, then just pour in warm water. It is best to use filtered water without carbonation.
You can also use a slightly more advanced weight loss formula. For it you will need kiwi, 100 ml of water, a few sprigs of mint, parsley and a few slices of lemon. Before cooking, all ingredients must be washed and then cut into slices. Add everything to the blender and blend.
Water with lemon and honey
Options with honey are a good remedy for sore throats, colds and support the immune system. To prepare you need 3 types of citrus fruits, 3-5 spoons of honey, 1. 5-2 liters of filtered water.
Lemon needs to be cut into slices and then filled with water. Heat the water a little (do not boil), add honey. Let the barrel soak for 2-3 hours.
Honey and ginger lemonade
Ginger is a great fat-burning remedy, so it's not surprising that recipes using ginger are so popular among weight loss enthusiasts. The drink should be prepared in the evening, but it is better to drink it in the morning. To have 2 liters of water you need the juice of one lemon and a small piece of ginger. Fill all products with water and put in the refrigerator overnight.
Lemon water with aloe vera
Homemade aloe vera juice will help improve the general condition of the body, make it more supple and strengthen the immune system. To prepare, you need to put homemade aloe vera leaves in the refrigerator for a day, then squeeze out the juice. Please note that you should have about 5 ml of aloe vera juice. Next, add the juice to the classic lemon recipe. Should be used when necessary.
Water with lemon and cucumber
Lemon and cucumber are a great way to normalize digestion. Take 2 liters of water, cucumber, lemon, a few mint branches.
Then chop the cucumber finely. You need to squeeze juice from citrus. Then just add all the ingredients to the water. You need to drink 2 liters of the drink per day and prepare more in the evening but the next day.
Instead of mint, you can add thyme and rosemary.
Water with lemon and turmeric
It is recommended to drink cocktails to prevent viral diseases.
Preparation: ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, 200-250 ml warm water, ½ citrus juice, ½ teaspoon honey, a little cinnamon.
Juice from citrus is heated to 50 degrees, then mixed with all the ingredients. Let the drink steep for 3-5 minutes then drink while still warm.
Mint lemonade
To prepare, you will need: 1. 5 liters of water, citrus, a few sprigs of mint.
Cut the lemon into slices, add mint to the box and fill with water. The drink must be steeped for 4-5 hours in the refrigerator.
Opinions about lemonade
On the forums you can find many different opinions about this cocktail. Many people agree that you should not expect a great miracle. Lemon juice does not dissolve kilograms. But if used in combination with a reasonable diet, you can easily lose 5 kg in a month without harming your health.
Expert opinion
During weight loss, drinking enough fluids is very important. Lemon improves the taste of clean water, so a person can drink it with pleasure and in the right quantity. At the same time, lemon is a source of essential vitamins for humans. However, drinking lemon water in any form does not cause weight loss.