Lemon water is widely marketed as a low-cost yet potent calorie-burner. Advocates claim that drinking lemon water helps boost metabolism and promote fat burning, especially first thing in the morning.
Do these claims, however, have any merit? Let’s take a closer look at this lemon water weight loss results blog post.
What the science says
There is not much scientific proof that drinking lemon water helps you lose weight or speeds up your metabolism. Essentially, lemon water is just water with slightly added lemon juice.
Vitamin C, antioxidants, and trace levels of potassium, folate, and vitamin B6 are all present in lemons. These have a positive influence on general health but have little bearing on weight loss.
However, there are a few possible ways that lemon water can help with fat burning:
Increasing your water intake: lemon water may help you stay more hydrated, which can momentarily speed up your metabolism and help you burn more calories. But regular water would probably have the same result.
Providing satiety: lemon juice’s fiber and minerals might make you feel sated. This could result in consuming fewer calories. But once again, drinking plain water before meals can help curb hunger.
Enhancing flavor: lemon’s tangy, cooling flavor makes water more appealing, which stimulates consumption. Water consumption is crucial for metabolism and other bodily processes.
Therefore, any possible impacts on fat loss are mostly due to consuming more water rather than anything exceptional about lemons.
The thermic effect of food
The thermic effect of food (TEF), which is proof that the nutrients in lemon juice require just a little energy for the body to consume and digest, may also apply.
Lemons’ vitamins, minerals, and fiber may somewhat speed up metabolism, resulting in more heat production and calorie burn.
Lemon juice’s (TEF), on the other hand, is probably relatively negligible, perhaps contributing no more than an additional 50 calories burned.
Even if every little bit helps, this probably won’t be enough to cause significant weight loss on its own.
When to drink lemon water
Many supporters say that consuming warm lemon water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning enhances the body’s ability to burn fat.
The idea is that drinking lemon water helps stimulate your metabolism and start your body immediately burning calories.
However, there is no evidence to support this claim with science. The timing of your drink’s consumption is unlikely to have a substantial impact on any potential impacts on metabolism and fat burning.
Drinking it regularly may increase the risk of cavities if teeth are not thoroughly cleaned after, since it also contains acids that can erode tooth enamel.
How to make lemon water
Squeeze the fresh juice of half a lemon into 8–12 ounces of warm or cold water to make lemon water. If you want to balance out the acidic flavor, you may add some honey or stevia.
For taste, you may also add mint leaves, cucumber slices, or ginger.
Drink at least one glass of lemon water each day to get the most out of any possible advantages. To avoid damaging the enamel, be sure to properly rinse your mouth out afterward and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
Potential benefits of Lemon water weight loss results
Lemon water may not have any proven fat-burning properties, but it may have several other health advantages that make it a good option for a beverage:
1. Enhances Digestion
Citric acid, a component of lemon juice, can assist in the formation of gastric juices, which improve digestion. Constipation, gas, and bloating could be lessened as a result.
Drinking lemon water in the morning instead of coffee might help with gastrointestinal pain.
2. Boosts Immunity
Lemons are a great source of vitamin C. More than 30% of your daily vitamin C needs are met by only one lemon. Because it is a potent antioxidant, vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system and helps prevent colds and the flu.
3. Freshens Breath
Lemon has a reputation for eliminating unpleasant smells. You may get rid of bad breath and get a zesty aftertaste by drinking lemon water. After consuming strong foods like garlic and onions, this may be beneficial.
4. Aids Detoxification
Lemon juice helps with detoxification because its atomic structure is comparable to that of saliva and digestive fluids.
As a result, it can encourage the liver to create more bile, which aids in the body’s detoxification process. Starting your day with a glass of lemon water will help you feel refreshed and flush away pollutants.
5. Boosts Skin Health
Lemon juice contains vitamin C, which helps to preserve smooth, wrinkle-free skin by constructing collagen and elastin. So as per this lemon water weight loss results article, it could also lessen inflammation and acne outbreaks.
Lemon’s antioxidants also assist in minimizing skin damage from free radicals brought on by pollution and sun exposure.
Lemon water may not be a miracle fat burner, but including it in your daily routine can have positive effects on your digestion, immunity, breath, detoxification, and skin. It’s an easy way to remain hydrated and start your day.
The bottom line for lemon water weight loss results
There is virtually no proof that drinking lemon water speeds your metabolism and encourages fat burning. Any negative effects are probably due to drinking more water than usual rather than anything unique about lemons.
Drinking lemon water can be advantageous for overall health and weight maintenance, particularly when it is substituted for sugary beverages like juice or soda. However, the claims that it is a fat-burning elixir are generally exaggerated.
Giving lemon water a try if you enjoy the flavor is harmless and probably won’t do any harm. Be moderate in your expectations and focus mostly on a healthy diet and exercise routines if you want to lose weight and keep it off.
Drink plenty of plain water in addition, and limit your intake of acidic lemon juice. Lemon water won’t help you lose weight, even if it could be part of a balanced diet.
