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 excess weight. Today we will talk about how water with lemon helps you lose extra weight, how effective it is in this matter, and are there any contraindications. Let us immediately note that it is better to lose weight using a special program.
Lemon water: benefits and dangers, recipes, how to drink
According to many doctors, lemon water can actually 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: improves blood circulation, accelerates metabolism, and maintains vitality. In addition, lemon water can benefit pregnant and lactating women.
Composition and calorie 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, flavonoids, thiamin, potassium, fiber, and organic acids.
The drink can be considered low-calorie, because every 100 ml contains only 1. 2 kcal. 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:
- Helps to lose excess weight. It should be noted that this water will not be a magic wand. It is not enough to just drink water and then hope for a miracle. Losing weight is primarily a comprehensive approach.
- Stimulates liver function. There is actually no official data to back this up.
- Lemon water helps prevent dehydration. This is true, like any other liquid.
- Increase the content of vitamin C, calcium and iron in the blood. This is also true, but the material level is slightly increased.
- Lemon water boosts immunity. This is still true, however, you need to drink a lot, a lot of this water to somehow strengthen your immunity.
Despite many myths and misconceptions, lemon water remains the favorite drink of all girls who are losing weight.
Benefits and harms
Experts are still conducting debates and research about the benefits and harms of water. Water with lemon can have the following beneficial effects:
- better digestion, accelerated metabolism;
- normalization of liver function, thanks to lemon water, the outflow of bile is normalized;
- relieve swelling;
- People with diabetes can drink lemon water to reduce sugar levels;
- helps restore blood pressure;
- strengthens blood vessels, making them elastic. Lemon water will be a good preventive measure for diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- increase immunity;
- remove waste and toxins;
- thins the blood, prevents the development of varicose veins and thrombosis;
- help maintain visual acuity, prevent the development of cataracts.
However, if used incorrectly, it can cause significant harm to the body. First, acid can severely irritate the gastric mucosa and even harm tooth enamel. Some people notice the appearance of tooth hypersensitivity to heat or cold. The following symptoms are also often observed:
- Heartburn.
- Allergic reaction.
- Headaches, irritability, fatigue. This may be due to a drop in glucose levels.
- Stomachache.
To minimize the risk of such a situation, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of lemon juice.
Lemon water for weight loss
More and more often on forums people discuss "magical" water for weight loss. Many incredible facts are associated with it, but you should not really expect a miracle effect. It is very important to maintain proportions when preparing water to activate metabolic processes. You should not drink cold water if you want to achieve weight loss. It is recommended to drink warm water, in this case it will normalize the acid-base balance and start the metabolic process. You need to drink 200-250 ml on an empty stomach. However, people with stomach problems should be careful. For example, ulcers, gastritis, increased acidity. Nutritionists note that you should drink up to 2 liters of fluid per day.
Lemon is able to remove waste and toxins. The fruit also has a fat-burning effect, 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?
Lemon water has various effects on the female body. Its regular use has a positive effect on the reproductive system, helps restore hormone levels, and facilitates well-being during menopause or painful periods.
Lemon also helps maintain the beauty and elasticity of a woman's skin, prevents the appearance of early signs of aging, and strengthens her hair.
Pregnant women can take this drink, because it helps maintain immunity, improves digestion, and also reduces attacks of toxicosis. Lemon has a good effect on the fetus; children will develop a healthy nervous system and skeleton.
Keep in mind that during breastfeeding all positive aspects become negative sharply. Citrus is a strong allergen, so it's best not to risk it; breast milk, even with a small lemon content, can harm the baby.
How to drink lemon water properly
Like any product, lemon water must be consumed properly. Only in this case the maximum effect can be achieved. Most often, experts identify the following universal rules:
- The freshness of the drink should not raise any questions. Ideally, you should prepare the drink immediately before drinking.
- Also, the first dose should be 30 minutes before a meal, and 20-30 minutes after. Under no circumstances should you drink food with citrus drinks.
- You should drink no more than 200 ml at a time.
- To prevent tooth enamel damage, it is best to drink water through a straw. And after the appointment, brush your teeth.
There are also recommendations related to when to take lemons. It is very important to pay attention to this for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
Water with lemon in the morning on an empty stomach
Lemon water on an empty stomach can be very beneficial, as it helps to activate metabolic processes and cleanse the body. Citrus also has a refreshing effect. By taking it regularly in the morning, you can stop drinking tea and coffee.
In addition, lemon cocktail perfectly quenches thirst and restores the body after illness. In the morning the body may become very thirsty. It needs water to flush out toxins and also to rejuvenate cells. In the morning, lemon helps activate the kidneys to work more efficiently.
Lemon juice helps digestion. For example, it is able to control the secretion of gastric juices. 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 the nerves and improve the quality of sleep. If you drink a glass (200 ml) at night, then even at night the body will continue to break down fat. 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 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. It is thanks to the warm temperature that digestion is accelerated, while the warm water does not irritate the mucous membrane.
If we talk specifically about boiling water, then it should be noted 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 in the fruit.
How to make lemon water
There is nothing easier than preparing such a mixture. It seems that mixing water and lemon is an easy recipe. However, there are many different variations on how to spice up your drink.
Classic recipe
One hundred percent classic is the use of only 2 simple components. You need to extract juice from ½ lemon, and then 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 that you need a 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 pieces. Put everything in a blender and grind.
Water with lemon and honey
Choice with honey is a good remedy for sore throats, colds, and supports the immune system. To prepare you need 3 citrus fruits, 3-5 tablespoons of honey, 1. 5-2 liters of filtered water.
Lemon should be cut into slices and then filled with water. Heat some water (without boiling), add honey. Let the container steep for 2-3 hours.
Lemon water with honey and ginger
Ginger is an excellent fat burner, so it is not surprising that recipes using ginger are loved by everyone who is 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 small piece of ginger. Fill all the products with water and put in the refrigerator overnight.
Lemon drink with aloe vera
Homemade aloe juice will help improve the general condition of the body, make it more resilient, and strengthen the immune system. To prepare, you need to put homemade aloe leaves in the refrigerator for a day, and then squeeze the juice from them. Please note that you should have about 5 ml of aloe juice. Next, add juice to the classic lemon recipe. Should be taken as needed.
Water with lemon and cucumber
Lemon and cucumber are the best way to normalize digestion. Take 2 liters of water, cucumber, lemon, a few sprigs of mint.
Then finely chop the cucumber. You need to squeeze the juice from the citrus. Then just put all the ingredients in the water. You need to drink 2 liters of drink every 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 cocktails is recommended to prevent viral diseases.
Prepare: ¼ teaspoon turmeric, 200-250 ml warm water, ½ citrus juice, ½ teaspoon honey, a little cinnamon.
Juice is squeezed from citrus, water is heated to 50 degrees, and then mixed with all the ingredients. Let the drink steep for 3-5 minutes and then drink while it's warm.
Mint lemon water
To prepare you need: 1. 5 liters of water, citrus, a few sprigs of mint.
Cut the lemon into slices, put the mint in a container, and then fill it with water. The drink must be infused for 4-5 hours in the refrigerator.
Opinions about lemon water
On the forum you can find many different opinions about this cocktail. Many agree that you shouldn't expect big miracles. Lemon water does not melt kilograms. But if you use it together with proper nutrition, you can easily lose 5 kilograms in a month without harming your health.
Expert opinion
During the process of losing weight, it is very important to drink enough fluids. Lemon enhances the taste of clean water, so one can drink it with pleasure and in the right quantity. At the same time, lemons are a source of vitamins that are necessary for humans. However, drinking lemon water, in any form of preparation, does not reduce weight.