Lemon water is the easiest way to lose weight and stay healthy. There is a lot of talk about this in 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 case and are there any contraindications. Let's note right away that it is better to lose weight with the help of a special program.
Water with lemon: benefits and harms, recipes, how to drink
According to many doctors, lemon water can really be beneficial. It is important to take some precautions so as not to harm 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 that are found in lemon. Among them: ascorbic acid, vitamins A and B2, flavonoids, thiamin, potassium, fiber, as well as organic acids.
The drink can be safely considered low-calorie, since there are 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 simply drink water and then expect a miracle. Losing weight is primarily a complex approach.
- Stimulates liver function. In fact, there is no official data to support 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 rises slightly.
- Lemon water improves immunity. That's still true, but you'll need to drink lots and lots of that water to somehow boost your immunity.
Despite the many myths and misconceptions, lemon water remains the favorite drink of all slimming girls.
Benefits and harms
Experts are still debating and researching the benefits and harms of water. Lemon water can have the following beneficial effects:
- improved digestion, accelerated metabolism;
- normalization of liver function, thanks to water with lemon, 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, preventing the development of varicose veins and thrombosis;
- helps maintain visual acuity, preventing the development of cataracts.
However, if used incorrectly, it can cause significant harm to the body. First, the acid can severely irritate the stomach lining and damage tooth enamel. Some people note the appearance of hypersensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold. The following symptoms are also often observed:
- heartburn.
- Allergic reactions.
- Headache, irritability, fatigue. This may be due to a drop in glucose levels.
- Stomach pains.
To minimize the risk of such conditions, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of lemon juice.
Lemon water for weight loss
"Magic" water for weight loss is being discussed more and more often in the forums. Many incredible facts are attributed to her, but still you should not hope for a miraculous action. It is very important to observe the proportions when preparing the water in order to activate the 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 metabolic processes. You should drink 200-250 ml on an empty stomach. However, people who have stomach problems should be careful. For example, ulcer, gastritis, increased acidity. Nutritionists note that you should drink up to 2 liters of liquid 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?
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 relieves well-being during menopause or painful menstruation.
Lemon also helps preserve a woman's beauty and skin elasticity, prevents the first signs of aging and strengthens hair.
Pregnant women can take this drink, as it helps to 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 bone system.
It is worth noting that during breastfeeding, all positive aspects become sharply negative. Citrus is a strong allergen, so it is better not to take risks, breast milk, even with a small lemon content, can harm the baby.
How to drink lemon water properly
Like any product, lemon water should be consumed properly. 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 cause 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. In no case should you drink food with a citrus drink.
- You should not drink more than 200 ml at a time.
- To avoid damaging the tooth enamel, it is best to drink water through a straw. And after the meeting, brush your teeth.
There are also recommendations related to the time of lemon intake. It is very important to pay attention to this for people who suffer 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 also has 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 illness. In the morning, the body may feel acute thirst. It needs water to remove toxins and also to rejuvenate the cells. In the morning, lemon helps to 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 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 to 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: warm or cold?
You can add lemon to both cold and hot water. It won't make much difference. A cooler drink will quench your thirst perfectly. But warm liquid is most effective for weight loss. Thanks to the warm temperature, digestion is accelerated, and 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. It seems that mixing water and lemon is a simple recipe. However, there are many different options to diversify the taste 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 lemon and then just fill it with warm water. It is best to use filtered water without gas.
You can also use a slightly more modern recipe for weight loss. 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 a blender and grind.
Water with lemon and honey
The version with honey is a good remedy for sore throats, colds, supports the immune system. For preparation, you need 3 citrus fruits, 3-5 tablespoons of honey, 1. 5-2 liters of filtered water.
The lemon should be cut into slices and then filled with water. Heat the water slightly (without boiling), add honey. Let the dish soak for 2-3 hours.
Lemon water with honey and ginger
Ginger is an excellent fat burner, so it is not surprising that the recipe with ginger is so 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. Cover all the products with water and store 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, you will need to put the leaves of the homemade aloe 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. Then add 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 few sprigs of mint.
Then finely chop the cucumber. You need to squeeze the juice from the citrus. Then just add all the ingredients to the water. You should drink 2 liters of the drink per day, preparing more in the evening, but the next day.
Instead of mint, you can add thyme and rosemary.
Water with lemon and turmeric
The reception of 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 tablespoon of honey, a little cinnamon.
The juice is squeezed from the citrus fruits, the 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.
Lemon mint water
For preparation, you will need: 1. 5 liters of water, citrus fruits, a few sprigs of mint.
Cut the lemon into slices, add the mint to the pot and then fill with water. The drink should be infused for 4-5 hours in the refrigerator.
Reviews of lemon water
In the forums you can find many different opinions about this cocktail. Many agree that you shouldn't expect a big miracle. Water with lemon does not melt pounds. 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 liquid. Lemon improves the taste of pure water so that one can drink it with great pleasure and in the right quantities. At the same time, lemon is a source of vitamins necessary for humans. But drinking water with lemon, in any form of preparation, does not reduce weight.