Lemon water is the easiest way to lose weight and stay healthy. There is a lot of talk about it on forums dedicated to the fight against excess weight. Today we will talk about how lemon water helps you lose extra pounds, how effective it is in this regard and whether there are any contraindications. We immediately note that it is better to lose weight using a special program.
Lemon water: benefits and harms, recipes, how to drink it
According to many doctors, lemon water can be beneficial. It is important to take some precautions to avoid harm to your health. Experts usually note that this drink has the following positive properties: it improves blood circulation, accelerates metabolism and maintains vitality. In addition, lemon water can be beneficial for pregnant and lactating women.
Composition and caloric content of water with lemon
The composition of this drink is as simple as possible - water and lemon, or lemon juice. Therefore, this cocktail contains all the same vitamins found in lemons. Among them: ascorbic acid, vitamins A and B2, flavonoid, thiamin, potassium, fiber, as well as organic acids.
The drink can be safely considered low-calorie, because it has only 1. 2 kcal per 100 ml. Even if you add honey, the calorie content will not increase much. In this case it will be about 10-11 kcal.
Myths about lemon water
Lemon water has long been overgrown with myths and legends. Among the most common are the following:
- It helps to get rid of excess weight. It is worth noting that this water will not be a magic wand. It is not enough to just drink water and then expect a miracle. Weight loss is primarily a holistic approach.
- Stimulates liver function. In fact, there is no official data to confirm this.
- Lemon water helps prevent dehydration. This is true, just like any other liquid.
- It increases the content of vitamin C, calcium and iron in the blood. This is also true, but the substance level increases slightly.
- Water with lemon improves immunity. This is still true, however, you will need to drink lots and lots of this water to somehow boost your immunity.
Despite many myths and misconceptions, lemon water remains the favorite drink of all girls who are losing weight.
Benefits and harms
Experts continue to debate and research the benefits and harms of water. Lemon water can have the following beneficial effects:
- improved digestion, accelerated metabolism;
- normalization of liver function, thanks to lemon water, the outflow of bile is normalized;
- relieves swelling;
- People suffering from diabetes can drink lemon water to reduce sugar levels;
- helps restore blood pressure;
- strengthens blood vessels, making them elastic. Water with lemon will be a good preventive measure for diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- increases immunity;
- removes waste and toxins;
- thins the blood, prevents the development of varicose veins and thrombosis;
- helps maintain visual acuity, preventing the development of cataracts.
However, if used improperly, it can cause significant damage to the body. First, the acid can severely irritate the stomach lining and damage tooth enamel. Some people notice the appearance of tooth sensitivity to hot or cold. The following symptoms are also often observed:
- Mustard.
- Allergic reactions.
- Headaches, irritability, fatigue. This may be due to a drop in glucose levels.
- Stomach pain.
In order to reduce the risk of such conditions to a minimum, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of lemon juice.
Water with lemon for weight loss
"Magic" water for weight loss is being discussed more and more often on forums. Many incredible facts are attributed to it, but still you should not really hope for a miraculous effect. It is very important to maintain proportions when preparing water in order to activate metabolic processes. You should not drink cold waterwater 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. It is necessary to drink 200-250 ml on an empty stomach. However, people who have stomach problems should be careful. For example, ulcers, gastritis, increased acidity. Nutritionists note that you need to drink up to 2 liters of liquid per day.
Lemon can remove waste and toxins. The fruit also has the effect of burning fat, thanks to which, as supporters of lemon water say, you can get rid of 5 kg in 3-4 weeks of use.
Is it possible to drink water with lemon during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Water with lemon has different effects on the female body. Its regular consumption has a positive effect on the reproductive system, helps restore hormonal levels and facilitates well-being during menopause or painful periods.
Lemon also helps preserve the beauty and elasticity of a woman's skin, prevents the first signs of aging and strengthens hair.
This drink can also be taken by pregnant women, as it helps maintain immunity, improves digestion, and also reduces toxicosis attacks. Lemon has a beneficial effect on the fetus, the child will develop a healthy nervous and bone system.
It is worth noting that during breastfeeding all positive aspects become sharply negative. Citrus is a strong allergen, so it is best not to risk it, because breast milk, even with a small lemon content, can harm the baby.
How to properly drink water with lemon
Like any product, lemon water must be consumed properly. Only in this case can the maximum effect be achieved. Experts most often identify the following universal rules:
- The freshness of the drink should not raise questions. It would be ideal to prepare the drink immediately before drinking.
- Also, the first dose should be 30 minutes before eating, and 20-30 minutes after. In no case should you drink food with citrus drinks.
- You should not drink more than 200 ml at a time.
- In order to avoid damage to tooth enamel, it is best to drink water through a straw. And after the appointment, brush your teeth.
There are also recommendations related to the time of taking lemons. It is very important to pay attention to people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
Lemon water in the morning on an empty stomach
Lemon water on an empty stomach can be very useful, as it helps activate metabolic processes and cleanses the body. Citrus fruits also have an invigorating effect. By taking it regularly in the morning, you can give up tea and coffee.
In addition, the lemon cocktail perfectly quenches thirst and restores the body after an illness. In the morning, the body may become acutely thirsty. It needs water to remove toxins and rejuvenate cells. In the morning, lemon helps activate the kidneys for more efficient functioning.
Lemon juice helps digestion. For example, it is able to regulate the secretion of gastric juice. It helps to clean the liver and has a purifying effect on the respiratory tract.
Lemon water at night
You can drink this cocktail in the evening. In this case, it will help to calm the nerves and improve the quality of sleep. If you drink a glass (200 ml) at night, even at night the body will continue to break down fats. And in the morning, intestinal peristalsis will be ready for active work.
Which lemon water is better to drink: hot or cold?
You can add lemon to both cold and hot water. It won't make much difference. A colder drink will quench your thirst perfectly. But warm liquid is the most effective for weight loss. Thanks to the warm temperature, digestion is accelerated, while warm water does not irritate the mucous membrane.
If we are talking specifically about boiling water, then it is worth noting that boiling water that already contains lemon is not recommended. 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 lemon water
There is nothing easier than preparing such a mixture. Mixing water and lemon seems like a simple recipe. However, there are many different variations on how to diversify the flavor of your drink.
A classic recipe
One hundred percent classic is the use of only 2 simple components. You need to squeeze the juice of ½ a lemon and then simply fill it with warm water. It is best to use filtered water without gas.
You can also use a slightly more advanced recipe for weight loss. For this you will need kiwi, 100 ml of water, a few sprigs of mint, parsley and a couple of lemon slices. Before cooking, all ingredients must be washed and then cut into slices. Add everything to the blender and grind.
Water with lemon and honey
The option with honey is a good remedy for sore throats, colds and supports the immune system. For preparation, you need 3 citrus fruits, 3-5 spoons of honey, 1. 5-2 liters of filtered water.
The lemon should be cut into slices and then filled with water. Heat the water gently (without boiling), add honey. Leave the container to stand for 2-3 hours.
Lemon water with honey and ginger
Ginger is an excellent fat-burning remedy, so it's no surprise that a recipe using ginger is so loved by all those who are losing weight. The drink should be prepared in the evening, but it is better to drink it in the morning. For 2 liters of water, you need the juice of one lemon, a piece of ginger. Fill all the products with water and put them in the fridge overnight.
Lemon drink with aloe
Homemade aloe juice will help improve the general condition of the body, make it more resistant and strengthen the immune system. To prepare it, you will need to put the leaves of homemade aloe in the refrigerator for a day, and then squeeze the juice out of them. Note that you should have about 5 ml of aloe juice. Then add the juice to the classic lemon recipe. It should be taken as needed.
Water with lemon and cucumber
Lemon and cucumber are an excellent way to normalize digestion. Take 2 liters of water, cucumber, lemon, a couple of sprigs of mint.
Then finely chop the cucumber. You need to squeeze the juice from the citrus. Then simply add all the ingredients to the water. It is necessary 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
Taking the cocktail is recommended for the prevention of viral diseases.
Prepare: ¼ teaspoon of turmeric, 200-250 ml of warm water, ½ citrus juice, ½ spoon of honey, a little cinnamon.
The juice is squeezed out of the citrus, the water is heated to 50 degrees, and then mixed with all the ingredients. Let the drink sit for 3-5 minutes, then drink it while it's warm.
Lemon mint water
For preparation, you will need: 1. 5 liters of water, citrus fruits, a couple of sprigs of mint.
Cut the lemon into slices, add the mint to the bowl, then fill with water. The drink must stand for 4-5 hours in the refrigerator.
Opinions about lemon water
On the forums you can find many different opinions about this cocktail. Many agree that we shouldn't expect a big miracle. Water with lemon does not melt kilograms. But if you use it together with a proper diet, you can easily lose 5 kilograms in a month without harming your health.
Expert opinion
During the weight loss process it is very important to drink enough fluids. Lemon improves the taste of pure water, so that a person can drink it with great pleasure and in the right quantities. At the same time, lemon is a source of vitamins necessary for humans. However, drinking water with lemon, in any form of its preparation, does not reduce weight.