Lemon water for weight loss: beneficial properties, how to use, reviews

Water with lemon for weight loss speeds up metabolism and reduces appetite, which makes any diet more effective. Get 7 recipes for a fat-burning drink and get rid of extra pounds easily and quickly!

Author: Kristina Lobanovskaya, doctor, practicing nutritionist Article updated: 11/09/2020

Proper drinking regime is the first step on the path to slimness, as it promotes the regular elimination of harmful substances from the body and improves cellular metabolism. The optimal amount of water per day is 1.5-2 liters. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to consume so much tasteless liquid. There is a solution - water with lemon. For weight loss, the refreshing mix is recommended by nutritionists and those losing weight themselves. What is this, another myth or a real way to correct your figure with health benefits?

Beneficial properties of water with lemon for weight loss

The connection between fluid intake and weight loss is scientifically proven. After conducting numerous studies, experts have found that with sufficient drinking regimen:

calorie consumption increases (10 minutes after drinking several glasses of liquid, the metabolic rate increases by 30%);
the energy value of the diet decreases (fans of proper drinking regimen consume at least 200 kcal less per day);
appetite decreases (to get enough, a smaller portion is enough).

Yellow citrus is no less useful:

The vitamin C it contains not only strengthens the immune system, but also stimulates the metabolic rate;
citric acid improves food digestion;
essential oils and enzymes promise a long-lasting feeling of fullness;
Numerous vitamins and microelements help in fully cleansing the body of waste and toxins.

Among other things, lemon has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, eliminating age spots and restoring elasticity.

From all of the above, we can easily conclude that the tandem of water and lemon is a unique product for weight loss. Weight loss and reduction in body volume occurs due to a number of processes:

quick bowel cleansing;
intensive burning of carbohydrates;
slag splitting;
acceleration of digestion;
acceleration of metabolic processes.

At the same time, drinking a citrus drink is much easier than regular water, and much more pleasant than chewing the lemon itself.

The citrus product helps improve your mood and gives you a boost of energy for the whole day. People who drink citrus water not only lose weight, but also become physically active.

Many people who are losing weight are interested in whether the solution actually helps get rid of subcutaneous fat and volume? There is no clear answer because the results vary. If you use the composition without changing your diet and lifestyle, it is unlikely that you will be able to correct your figure. But if you organize the right menu and regularly visit the gym, the effect will definitely manifest itself. Reviews of lemon water for weight loss say that the minimum weight loss per week is 2-3 kg.

Alone, the cocktail practically does not work. It must be combined with other weight loss techniques: physical activity, dietary restrictions and proper drinking regimen.

The benefits of honey water for the body

Regular consumption of water with honey in the morning on an empty stomach is a great way to fill the body with energy, cleanse it of waste and toxins, and start the process of burning excess weight.

To improve the taste and increase the effectiveness of the drink, add cinnamon and lemon.

Honey is a natural product processed by bees and is well absorbed by the human body. It contains a large number of useful components that help strengthen the immune system and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Honey, diluted in heated, filtered water, with additives, has a whole range of beneficial properties:

Relieves constipation. A honey drink will help solve this unpleasant problem. Warm water with honey prevents stool from hardening, ensuring its normal elimination.
Normalizes digestion. Honey-lemon water has bactericidal properties, destroys pathogenic microorganisms, stimulates the production of bile, due to which complex products are broken down faster and beneficial substances are absorbed more efficiently.
Cleanses the colon. A sweet drink accelerates the elimination of undigested food and toxic substances, and eliminates bloating. The result is noticeable immediately: regular bowel movements, no abdominal discomfort.
Cleanses lymph. Thanks to its excellent antibacterial properties, honey water effectively cleanses the lymphatic system, cleanses the lymph nodes, removing toxins and dead cells from them.
Fills the body with energy. Water with honey and lemon is a natural, absolutely safe energy drink. Just one glass in the morning, and fatigue will disappear as if by hand, you will feel a surge of strength.
Cleanses the urinary tract. The product has a mild diuretic effect, removes excess water from the body.
Honey water for beauty. Drinking the drink helps get rid of acne, rashes, and irritations. It promotes the production of collagen and elastin, the skin becomes more elastic and toned.

Water with honey is an effective restorative that is involved in body thermoregulation, improves metabolic processes, and promotes weight loss.

Harm

The presence of acids in citrus makes the technique not suitable for everyone losing weight. It is known that prolonged consumption of lemon in any form can provoke the development of gastritis or stomach ulcers. No less obvious is the fact that regular use of the product is dangerous for people with allergies, although the consequences in the form of skin irritation can occur even in completely healthy people losing weight.

Other unpleasant moments that are likely when losing weight with a fat-burning solution include:

Increased sensitivity of tooth enamel.
Increased blood pressure.
Development of heartburn with increased intestinal sensitivity.
The occurrence of discomfort in the pancreas area.

Many people who are losing weight drink citrus water in the morning - on an empty stomach. Yes, it is useful, but not for the stomach. Having barely woken up after an overnight fast, he will definitely experience stress, which in the future can result in unpleasant symptoms.

Patterns of use

How to drink lemon water to lose weight? There are several options, differing in duration and total volume of fluid required per day. The choice should be taken into account the state of health, that is, the individual characteristics of the body, and the amount of excess weight.

The rules for drinking citrus liquid remain the same in any case:

To find out whether it is possible to lose weight this way, before starting the “marathon” you should visit a gastroenterologist or nutritionist. Only a specialist will give a definite answer as to whether this method of combating excess weight is suitable in each specific case.
Only pure filtered liquid is suitable for making cocktails. Mineral cannot be used due to the presence of minerals that react with citrus acid and have an unpredictable effect on the body.
Before taking a cocktail, you need to take care of the quality of the lemon. It should be fresh and elastic, have a bright sunny color and a pleasant smell. Immediately before use it is washed. Do not use spoiled product!
Warm water, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach and the body as a whole, is the best choice for preparing a fat-burning cocktail. Too hot (boiling water) can be used in some recipes, but cold is completely excluded because it inhibits metabolism.
To enhance the effectiveness of the solution and speed up weight loss, you can play sports. Physical activity will help you burn more subcutaneous fat and use up the carbohydrates you get from food many times faster.

In the morning

The easiest way to use a fat-burning composition for weight loss is to drink a glass in the morning on an empty stomach. This should be done immediately after waking up. By the way, this is an excellent remedy for stimulating appetite, which means it is useful for everyone who is trying to accustom the body to a proper breakfast for body correction.

Despite the variety of recipes for water with citrus, the classic one is suitable for morning drinking. How to do it? Add a slice of the product to a glass of hot liquid and leave for 30 minutes. Drink on an empty stomach, after which eat a fresh citrus slice (this point can be omitted, especially if you have stomach problems).

To make weight loss more intense, you can supplement your morning fluid intake with your afternoon and evening fluid intake, drinking a glass half an hour before lunch and dinner. And to achieve maximum effectiveness, you should drink a glass of the drink at night, half an hour before bedtime. By the way, you don’t have to prepare a cocktail every time. It is much easier to do this in advance: a whole lemon is crushed in a meat grinder along with the peel, and the resulting pulp is added to a glass of warm water before use (the volume of the pulp is divided by 4 times).

The given weight loss scheme is designed for 2-3 weeks (at least 10 days). During this time you can lose from 2 to 6 kg. It all depends on nutrition and physical activity.

You can repeat the weight loss, but only after 1 month. An important point: if you experience abdominal discomfort, heartburn, dizziness or nausea while using the program, it is better to abandon it.

As part of the diet

There are several effective diets for losing weight using fat-burning liquid. Schemes for its administration and duration vary, but the principles of nutrition are the same:

Include fruits and vegetables in your menu every day.
Introduce nuts into your diet, which neutralize sucrose and fructose due to their fatty acid content.
Eat red meat (beef or veal).
Eat fish as often as possible.
Do not overeat, eat food 4-5 times a day in small portions.
Refrain from eating 2-3 hours before bedtime.

How to lose weight faster using the program? Forget about products that are strictly prohibited:

fried and fatty;
bakery products;
potatoes and other starchy vegetables;
sweets and sugar;
butter;
semi-finished products;
canned food;
fast food;
sweet carbonated drinks and alcohol.

For 2 days

A two-day diet using refreshing water is more like a fasting day, helping to urgently lose weight by 1-3 kilograms. Both days include the consumption of 1.5 liters of kefir and 750 ml of water with lemon. Moreover, you need to drink almost simultaneously - first 0.5 liters of kefir, then 250 ml of citrus solution. If you are really hungry, you can eat an orange or an apple.

Is this diet healthy? Yes, because it looks like a good incentive to start a longer weight loss program. It thoroughly cleanses the body of toxins and starts the fat burning process. In addition, in just a few days it is possible to accustom the body to satiation with small amounts of food.

Another option for a two-day fast is to use water with citrus and honey for weight loss. Again, any products are excluded. You need to drink a specially prepared composition. The recipe is:

squeeze juice from 15 citrus fruits;
mix with 3 liters of water;
add 50 grams of honey and mix.

The specified volume is drunk within one day, and the next day a fresh cocktail is prepared. Additionally, you are allowed to drink unsweetened green tea. Possible weight – 2-3 kg. In addition to losing weight by accelerating metabolism and cleansing the body, lemon-honey liquid has a positive effect on the condition of the gallbladder.

Water with citrus and honey will be especially effective if you drink it in one gulp.

For 14 days

A two-week diet with lemon water is called a hard diet. The point is not in dietary restrictions (the diet must correspond to that described above), but in the very pattern of drinking the drink. It is like this:

First day: a glass of warm liquid and one citrus juice.
Second: two glasses of warm water and the juice of two lemons.
Third: three by three.
Fourth: four by four.
Fifth: five by five.
Sixth: six by six.
Seventh: three by three, plus an additional tablespoon of honey (divided into all doses).
Days eight to fourteen: the pattern of the first seven days is repeated.

The most difficult part of this diet is the need to consume the given amount of drink at one time. Not everyone who is losing weight can do this, so in exceptional cases the volume can be divided into several times.

What are the benefits of a diet for losing weight? Results. The probable weight in two weeks (subject to proper nutrition and physical activity) ranges from 3 to 7 kg.

Particular attention is paid to exiting the program. First of all, the diet should be replenished with dishes of stewed vegetables, soups and seafood (shrimp, mussels). After a few days, you can add vegetables with starch and fermented milk products. A prerequisite is an adequate drinking regime (in addition to plain water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices without sugar and salt are required). Solid food is introduced no earlier than 7 days.

Recipes

Recipes for preparing aromatic weight loss products are not limited to the classic one and with the addition of honey. There are many more of them, and each is ready to satisfy the characteristics of a particular organism.

With ginger

If there are no stomach problems, weight loss can be carried out using a truly powerful fat-burning remedy - lemon water with the addition of ginger. The latter is grated or chopped, very finely. The pulp is mixed with one citrus fruit crushed together with the peel and poured with three glasses of boiling water. Leave for 10 minutes and start drinking.

Water with lemon and ginger retains its beneficial qualities for a long time, so it can be prepared in advance.

The aromatic solution should be consumed during or after meals. It is prohibited to take on an empty stomach, otherwise gastrointestinal upset may occur.

You can lose weight with a fat-burning cocktail for 5 to 10 days, drinking up to three liters a day.

With cucumber

A weight loss cocktail with yellow citrus and cucumber is called Sassi water, since the recipe belongs to the American nutritionist Cynthia Sassi. As part of the experiment, she combined dietary products of plant origin, each of which triggers the fat burning process in the body, and filled them with water. Surprisingly, Cynthia Sassi's clients began to lose weight at an incredible speed, so the recipe quickly gained worldwide popularity.

Today on the Internet you can find several options for preparing a fat-burning drink, but the most effective is the one invented by Cynthia herself. The ingredients are as follows:

2 liters of regular drinking liquid;
one medium-sized lemon;
one peeled cucumber;
20 grams of fresh chopped ginger root;
15 mint leaves.

All components are crushed and mixed, pressed to release the juice. Fill with water at room temperature. Cover the container with a lid (otherwise the essential oils may erode) and leave it in the refrigerator overnight. Drink the volume per day, dividing it into 3-5 servings, and prepare a new mix in the evening.

Important! Mint is not the main component of the drink, so if you have an allergy or intolerance to the herb, it can easily be excluded. This will not affect efficiency in any way.

With orange

An excellent fat-burning mix that also invigorates and strengthens the immune system. Lemon and orange are cut into slices along with the peel, after washing well, place in a container and lightly press to release the juice. A chopped bunch of mint is also added there and poured with one liter of warm water. After 15 minutes, the refreshing composition is filtered.

Cinnamon

Good results can be achieved by drinking a cocktail with cinnamon. To prepare it, take 2 sticks of aromatic spice and cut into small pieces. Place in a container and add three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes and add one liter of moisture at room temperature. Place the container in the refrigerator for 12 hours.

With vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a concentration of beneficial chemical compounds: vitamins, microelements, organic acids and enzymes. Thanks to this composition, the product promotes intensive weight loss and the elimination of cellulite. By providing a thermal effect, apple cider vinegar accelerates metabolism and also ensures uninterrupted blood circulation and lymph flow.

In combination with lemon, apple cider vinegar demonstrates a powerful detoxifying effect, that is, the body is fully cleansed of toxins and waste. Also, the tandem of two products helps restore the acid-base balance.

The recipe for preparing a fat-burning mix is simple: add a circle of citrus and 20 ml of vinegar to a glass of warm water (you can use green tea). This cocktail is taken on an empty stomach three times a day.

With cayenne pepper

A truly fiery weight loss drink is made by mixing refreshing water with cayenne pepper. The latter is a well-known fat burner that accelerates metabolism, stimulates the circulatory system and improves the digestion process. Does it help you lose weight quickly? Definitely, but first you need to make sure that there are no problems with the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

You need to prepare the solution like this: add a pinch of cayenne pepper powder to a glass of moisture in which the juice of half a lemon is dissolved. After thorough mixing, you can drink in small sips.

Important! If you experience abdominal discomfort after drinking a cocktail, it is better to abandon this method of losing weight.

With soda

A solution with soda causes a lot of controversy because it is fraught with side effects and complications: irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus and stomach; damage to tooth enamel; exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases; blood pressure surges; decreased absorption of vitamins; disturbance of stool and urination process. However, there are many who want to lose weight this way. It's all about high efficiency:

acceleration of metabolism;
neutralization of parasites and microbes in the intestines;
removal of toxins and waste;
regulation of cholesterol levels;
fat burning;
normalization of blood sugar levels.

The recipe is simple: dissolve half a teaspoon of soda in a glass of warm water and add juice squeezed from half a fresh lemon. The optimal time for use is in the morning on an empty stomach. You should not drink for more than a week, but it is better to repeat the course after a month.

How to properly use honey and lemon to lose weight

There are two ways to use honey and lemon for weight loss.

The easiest and surest way is to drink tea with honey and lemon in the morning. It is best to choose green tea for this purpose. Two slices of lemon and a teaspoon of honey will not only activate metabolic processes in the body, but will also give you vigor and energize you for the whole day. In the evening, at night, you need to drink hot tea with lemon and honey again. Throughout the day, it is better to limit yourself to teas or regular drinking water, so as not to disturb the acidity of the stomach, and do not add lemon juice.

Instead of tea, you can simply drink a glass of drinking water with the juice of half or a quarter of a lemon and 1-2 teaspoons of honey. Such a drink, taken on an empty stomach, will cleanse the body and, moreover, relieve the feeling of hunger. Then we eat as usual, and in the evening after a light dinner it is better not to eat anything and drink the same drink before going to bed.

If you do not consume anything other than vegetables after 6 pm, then with the help of honey and lemon you can lose 5 kg in a month. And this is quite real.

Contraindications

How to drink water with lemon to lose weight and not spoil your health? The primary rule is to familiarize yourself with the list of contraindications:

increased acidity of gastric juice;
cystitis;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, pancreatitis, gastritis, heartburn);
cholelithiasis;
diabetes;
liver and kidney pathologies;
allergy to citrus fruits and other components of the product;
dehydration;
blood pressure problems;
sensitive tooth enamel, caries.

During pregnancy and extreme obesity, this method of losing weight is also undesirable. The use of the solution is also taboo when taking sleeping pills.

Since the list of contraindications is quite extensive, not everyone can include a fat-burning agent in their diet. It’s even better to visit a specialist before starting the marathon and make sure there are no health problems.

Reviews and results of losing weight

Victoria, 27 years old

For me personally, water with lemon is a very valuable drink. I heard a lot of good things about it, but I was really shocked when I saw women who drink it on a regular basis: fit, energetic, with an excellent complexion. Then I decided that I would become one of the fans of this wonderful remedy. I prepare it this way: I take a liter bottle of warm, still water, add sliced lemon and a sprig of lemon balm, and shake everything up. I don't use sugar, and I don't use honey either. The drink is already very tasty and aromatic. I carry this bottle with me everywhere. I felt thirsty - I opened it and helped myself. Perfectly quenches thirst and cleanses the body.

Marina, 32 years old

Did you know that many models use Sassi water if they need to quickly get their figure in shape? I found out about this recently and was surprised. To be honest, I would never have thought that a drinking mixture of cucumber and lemon would be tasty and good for weight loss. But the reviews on the forums say exactly that. Well, I decided to try it. It turned out really well. The drink is perfectly refreshing and even kills hunger. But there is one significant drawback - after it heartburn begins and the stomach hurts. Maybe it's just me, but citrus fruits really irritate the mucous membranes. Using the product for a long time, in my opinion, is dangerous. Instead of losing weight, you can get an ulcer. I didn’t take the risk, so I can’t speak about the results.

Tamara, 29 years old

It’s amazing how our women believe that by drinking a glass of water with lemon a day, you can lose 3-5 kg in a week without doing anything. I'm talking about diet and exercise. If you sit on the couch, constantly eating cakes and fried potatoes, no fat-burning drink will save you. Well, humanity hasn’t come up with a magic “pill” for excess weight! Only independent and regular work on yourself!

I've been drinking this water for a long time. At the same time, I do yoga, ride a bike on weekends and eat healthy: maximum plant foods, minimum sugar and salt. The result of working on yourself is noticeable. Lemon drink does not play the main, but important role here: with its help, you can eat less, because your appetite decreases, and be more active by getting the necessary vitamins. And you know, this is a good option for anyone who is not ready for a proper drinking regime. If drinking 2 liters of plain water a day is difficult for you, a lemon drink will definitely appeal to your taste.

Reviews of honey water

Water with honey has helped many people lose weight. On forums and thematic websites, users actively leave reviews about this tool, and they are mostly positive.

What do they write about honey water?

Inga, 27 years old:

After giving birth, I gained a couple of extra pounds. I was breastfeeding, so serious diets were not suitable for me. I decided to try honey water. When I started drinking it, I completely eliminated the consumption of sugar. I just didn't want to. I wasn't craving sweets either. The process of losing weight was long, but as a result I managed to lose 5 kg in 4 months. Now the weight is stable, but I continue to drink water, add a pinch of cinnamon - I really like the taste.

Olga, 32 years old:

I gained weight due to stress. The work is nervous. The food could hardly be called balanced. In the morning nothing, lunch was dry, but in the evening I took my soul away by emptying the refrigerator. So I gained 7 kg. I decided to go on a diet. I couldn’t have breakfast, so instead of breakfast I drank 2 glasses of honey water with lemon. At lunch I replaced sandwiches with salad. Dinner – fish or chicken. In total, in 2 months I managed to lose 8 kg. I noticed that my resistance to stress has increased and I have become calmer.

Victoria, 22 years old:

And I drank water with honey for weight loss. Tasty, sweet, and also burns calories. There is a result, but don’t rely on the drink itself. To achieve the effect, I had to adjust my diet. I didn’t have time for sports, but I always find 15 minutes for morning exercises. The excess weight was gone in six months.