Lemon water is the easiest way to lose weight and stay healthy. There is a lot of talk about it on the forums dedicated to the fight against overweight. Today we will talk about how water with lemon helps to lose extra pounds, how effective it is in this matter and are there any contraindications. We note right away that it is better to lose weight using a special program.
Lemon water: benefits and harm, recipes, how to drink
According to many doctors, lemon water could actually be beneficial. It is important to take some precautions to avoid damage to your health. Experts usually note that this drink has the following positive properties: improves blood circulation, accelerates metabolism and maintains vitality. Additionally, lemon water can be beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding 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 lemon. Among these: ascorbic acid, vitamins A and B2, flavonoids, thiamine, potassium, fiber and organic acids.
The drink can safely be considered low-calorie, because per 100 ml there are only 1. 2 kcal. Even if you add honey, the calorie content will not increase much. In this case it will be around 10-11 kcal.
Myths about lemon water
Water and lemon have long been invaded by myths and legends. Among the most common are the following:
- Helps get rid of excess weight. It is worth paying attention that this water will not be a magic wand. It's not enough to just drink water and then expect a miracle. Losing weight is primarily a comprehensive approach.
- Stimulates liver function. There is actually no official data to support this.
- Lemon water helps prevent dehydration. This is true, like any other liquid.
- Increases the content of vitamin C, calcium and iron in the blood. This is also true, but the level of substances increases slightly.
- Lemon water improves immunity. This is still true, however, you will have 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 on 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;
- relieves swelling;
- People suffering from 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;
- increases immunity;
- removes waste and toxins;
- thins the blood, preventing the development of varicose veins and thrombosis;
- helps maintain visual acuity, preventing the development of cataracts.
However, if used incorrectly, it can cause considerable damage to the body: firstly, acid can severely irritate the gastric mucosa and even damage tooth enamel. Some people notice the appearance of hypersensitivity of the teeth to heat or cold. The following symptoms are also often observed:
- Stomach ache.
- Allergic reactions.
- Headache, irritability, tiredness. This could be due to a drop in glucose levels.
- Stomach ache.
To minimize the risk of such conditions, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of lemon juice.
Water and lemon to lose weight
More and more often in the forums there is talk of "magic" water for losing weight. Many incredible facts are attributed to her, but you really shouldn't hope for a miraculous 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 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 who have stomach problems should be careful. For example, ulcers, gastritis, increased acidity. Nutritionists note that it is necessary to drink up to 2 liters of fluid per day.
Lemon is able to eliminate 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 a variety of effects on the female body. Its regular consumption has a positive effect on the reproductive system, helps restore hormone levels and facilitates well-being 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 take this drink, as it helps maintain immunity, improves digestion, and also reduces attacks of toxicosis. Lemon has a beneficial effect on the fetus; the child will develop a healthy nervous and skeletal system.
It is worth noting that during breastfeeding all positive aspects become sharply negative. Citrus fruits are a strong allergen, so it's best not to take risks; breast milk, even with a small lemon content, can harm the baby.
How to drink lemon water correctly
Like any product, lemon water must be consumed correctly. Only in this case can the maximum effect be achieved. Most often, experts identify the following universal rules:
- The freshness of the drink should not raise doubts. Ideally, you should prepare the drink immediately before drinking it.
- Additionally, the first dose should be administered 30 minutes before meals and 20-30 minutes after. Under no circumstances should you drink food with a citrus drink.
- You should not drink more than 200 ml at a time.
- To avoid damaging tooth enamel, it is best to drink water through a straw. And after the appointment, brush your teeth.
There are also recommendations regarding when to take lemon. 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 useful because it helps activate metabolic processes and cleanse the body. Citrus fruits also have a toning effect. Taking it regularly in the morning, you can give up tea and coffee.
In addition, lemon cocktail perfectly removes thirst and restores the body after illness. It is in the morning that the body can become very thirsty. It needs water to remove toxins and also to 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 cleanse the liver and has a purifying effect on the respiratory tract.
Water and lemon at night
You can drink this cocktail at night. In this case it will help calm your nerves and improve the quality of your sleep. If you drink a glass (200 ml) at night, the body will continue to break down fats even at night. And in the morning the 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. There won't be much difference. A cooler drink will quench your thirst perfectly. But it is the warm liquid that is most effective for losing weight. It is thanks to the warm temperature that digestion is accelerated, while hot water does not irritate the mucosa.
If we talk specifically about boiling water, it is worth noting that it is not recommended to boil water that already contains lemon. 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 prepare lemon water
There is nothing simpler than preparing such a mixture. It would seem that mixing water and lemon is a simple recipe. However, there are many different variations on how to diversify the taste of your drink.
Classic recipe
One hundred percent classic is the use of only 2 simple components. You need to extract the juice from ½ 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 the ingredients must be washed and then cut into slices. Add everything to a blender and grind.
Water with lemon and honey
The honey option is a good remedy for sore throats, colds and supports the immune system. To prepare it you need 3 citrus fruits, 3-5 tablespoons of honey, 1. 5-2 liters of filtered water.
The lemon must be cut into slices and then filled with water. Heat the water slightly (without letting it boil), add the honey. Leave the container to infuse for 2-3 hours.
Lemon water with honey and ginger
Ginger is an excellent fat burning remedy, so it is not surprising that the recipe with ginger is so loved by all those who lose 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 products with water and place them in the refrigerator 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 homemade aloe leaves in the refrigerator for a day, then squeeze the juice out of them. Keep in mind that you should have about 5 ml of aloe juice. Next, add the juice to the classic lemon recipe. It should be taken as needed.
Water with lemon and cucumber
Lemon and cucumber are a great 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 fruits. Then simply add all the ingredients to the water. You need to drink 2 liters of 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 take the cocktail to prevent viral diseases.
Prepare: ¼ teaspoon of turmeric, 200-250 ml of warm water, ½ citrus juice, ½ tablespoon of honey, a little cinnamon.
Juice is squeezed from citrus fruits, water is heated to 50 degrees and then mixed with all the ingredients. Leave the drink to infuse for 3-5 minutes and then drink it while it is warm.
Mint and lemon water
To prepare 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 container, then fill with water. The drink should be infused for 4-5 hours in the refrigerator.
Opinions on lemon water
On the forums you can find many different opinions about this cocktail. Many agree that you should not expect a big miracle. Water and lemon do not melt kilograms. But if you use it along with proper nutrition, you can easily lose 5 kilograms in a month without harm to your health.
Expert opinion
During the weight loss process, it is very important to drink enough fluids. Lemon improves the taste of clean water, so 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 lemon water, in whatever form it is prepared, does not reduce weight.