Merlin Annie Raj is a Registered Dietitian based out of Hyderabad, India. She has vast experience in Clinical Nutrition as well as teaching Nutrition and Dietetics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. She was awarded the ‘President... more
Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 5 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and... more
Charushila Biswas, MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist
Lemon juice, loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, is an excellent drink for your overall health. You can drink lemon juice for weight loss as it helps burn fat. However, there is no need to drink lemon juice for weight loss throughout the day, but adding it to your daily diet is more than enough. Try drinking lemon juice every day to see your body transform from fat to fit in no time.
So, how does lemon juice helps reduce weight? Let us find out here.
In This Article
1. Lemon Juice Nutrition Facts
2. When To Drink Lemon Water for Weight Loss ?
Image: Shutterstock
Drink 1 cup of lemon water in empty stomach early in the morning
Drink 1 cup of lemon water (with a pinch of salt) during a workout session
Drink 1 cup of lemon water 30 minutes before lunch and dinner
Preparing lemon water for weight loss will take 5 minutes of your time. Here is how to prepare a tangy, vitamin C-rich lemon juice at home.
3. How To Make Lemon Water For Weight Loss?
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 lemon
1 cup water
How To Prepare
Heat the water till it gets warm.
Squeeze the lemon juice into the cup of warm water.
Stir well.
4. Other Lemon Water Recipes for Weight Loss
If you get bored of drinking the same lemon water every day, use other ingredients to enhance the taste that will further boost your weight loss. Here are a few lemon water weight loss recipes for you.
Lemon And Honey
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 cup warm water
1 lemon
1 teaspoon honey
How To Prepare
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a cup of warm water.
1. Add honey and stir well.
Benefits
Like lemons, honey also promotes weight loss. When you have a shot of honey in the morning, you give your body a shot of energy, which helps you to stay active all day. The more active you stay the more fat you mobilize. It is also a potent antidiabetic agent (1).
Lemon And Cinnamon
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 lemon
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How To Prepare
Add the ground cinnamon to a cup of water and let is soak overnight.
In the morning, boil the cinnamon water till the water level drops to half.
Let it cool and strain it.
Add lemon juice and stir well.
Benefits
Cinnamon helps lower bad cholesterol levels and has antimicrobial properties (2).
Lemon And Mint
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 lemon
6-7 mint leaves
How To Prepare
Use a mortar and pestle to crush the mint leaves.
Throw the crushed mint leaves into a glass.
Add 1 cup water to it and squeeze in the lemon juice.
Stir well.
Benefits
Mint is rich in antioxidants. It helps treat gastrointestinal disorders and has antimicrobial activity (3).
Lemon And Ginger
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 cup water
½ lemon
½ inch ginger root
How To Prepare
Use a mortar and pestle to crush the ginger root.
Toss the crushed ginger root into a glass.
Add 1 cup water and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon.
Stir well.
Benefits
Ginger fights obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, digestive problems, and skin issues. It has anti-inflammatory properties and therefore helps to reduce pain (4).
Lemon And Cayenne Pepper
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 cup warm water
1 lemon
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
How To Prepare
Add lemon juice and cayenne pepper to a cup of water.
Stir well.
Benefits
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is a potential metabolism booster. It also prevents the fatty liver formation, diabetes, atherosclerosis and prevents the risk of hypertension and stroke (5).
Lemon Herbal Tea
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 herbal tea bag
¼ lemon
How To Prepare
Boil a cup of water and pour into a cup with a lid.
Dip the herbal tea bag and put the lid on.
Remove the tea bag after 5 minutes.
Add lemon juice and stir well.
Benefits
Lemon gives the herbal tea a citrusy taste and fruity smell. Herbal teas are effective in preventing diabetes (6).
Lemon And Fruits
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
1 orange
1 lemon
1 kiwi
1 teaspoon honey
Pinch of black salt
How To Prepare
Chop the kiwi and toss into a blender.
Add lemon juice, orange juice, and honey.
Give it a spin.
Pour into a glass and add a pinch of black salt.
Stir well.
Benefits
Kiwis are rich in vitamin E and antioxidants (7). Oranges/citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (8).
Lemon Juice And Cucumber Water
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients
6-7 slices of cucumber
1 lemon
2 cups water
How To Prepare
Pour 2 cups of water into a bottle.
Squeeze in the juice of a lemon and add the cucumber slices.
Benefits
Cucumbers help in flushing out the toxins, eases the pain caused by sunburn and swelling, and prevents constipation (9). Sip on this drink throughout the day to detox your body.
5. Benefits Of Lemon Water
Boosts Immunity
Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, an antioxidant, which helps to scavenge the harmful free oxygen radicals.
Lemons contain citric acid and pectin that assists digestion. Pectin also helps to slow down the rate at which the food leaves the stomach, which produces a feeling of fullness for longer.
Anti-Obesity Agent
Lemons contain limonin that helps to lower bad cholesterol in the blood and helps to burn fat.
Flushes Out Toxins
Since lemons are a great source of vitamin C and scavenge free oxygen radicals, it helps to flush out the toxins produced in the body. It also helps in flushing out the toxins in the colon.
Slows Down Aging
DNA damage is the primary cause of aging. Vitamin C in lemons prevent DNA damage. Also, lemons help to produce collagen, which smoothen the wrinkles.
Maintains Bone Health
Vitamin C present in lemons helps to maintain the bone health by preventing bone damage from microbial infection.
Supports Liver And Kidney Functions
Pectin lowers bad cholesterol in the liver and prevents the formation of kidney stones. The polyphenols boost metabolism and the activity of liver enzymes.
Boosts Mood
The glass of lemon water with its citrusy taste and refreshing smell helps to boost mood and relax body and mind.
Though there are many benefits of drinking lemon juice you should only consume it in right doses and at the right time.
6. Things To Do And Not To Do
Dos
Don’ts
Use filtered water.
Don’t use cold water.
Drink lemon water at least thrice a day.
Do not buy chemically treated lemons.
The first dose of lemon water early in the morning should be taken on an empty stomach.
Avoid having more than five lemons per day.
Always dilute lemon juice with a cup of water.
Do not take lemon juice directly as it may erode tooth enamel.
Eat healthy. Include a good source of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats in your daily diet.
Avoid junk food and high-sugar containing foods.
7. Useful Tip
If you want to speed up your fat mobilization, nothing can work better than exercising. If you do not like heavy workouts, start with yoga or stretching exercises.
Wash the lemon water down with a gulp of water to remove any traces of lemon on your teeth.
8. Lemon Juice Side Effects
Consuming too much lemon juice may cause heartburns, tooth enamel erosion, acid reflux, and excessive urine.
Lemon juice is an easy and fantastic remedy for your “not able to lose weight” problem. So no more worries and sad faces. Pick up your lemon drink today, smile, and say cheers! Don’t forget to share your lemon water weight loss results with us.
If you have ever wondered about simple dietary changes that can help you lose that excess fat, you must have come across the benefits of lemon for weight loss. Rich in vitamin C, and important minerals, lemon juice not only helps burn the excess fat but also helps boost your immunity and health overall. You can also add mint, honey, ginger, cinnamon, or other herbs and spices to flavor it as per your preference. Drinking lemon juice on empty stomach or before meals would help you make the most of its weight loss benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink lemon water at night?
Yes, drinking lemon water at night is generally considered safe. Having hot lemon water before going to bed helps you relax and induces sleep.
How much lemon water should I drink a day?
Drinking 1- 2 glasses of lemon water a day is generally considered safe without any side effects. It can be had with or without a meal.
Sources
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
StyleCraze believes in credibility and giving our readers access to authentic and evidence-based content. Our stringent editorial guidelines allow us to only cite from reputed research institutions, academic journals, and medically established studies. If you discover any discrepancy in our content, you may contact us.
