You may have seen someone recommending lemon water to lose weight, and the best part is that it helps with weight loss. This action is mainly due to vitamin C, an essential substance in fat burning.
But in addition to this benefit, the drink also relieves nausea and can be consumed during pregnancy. It also helps strengthen the immune system, reduces symptoms of allergies and promotes liver detoxification.
For all these reasons, you can learn to prepare lemon water and better understand its beneficial effects. Check out!
Table of Contents
Does water with lemon slim down?
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, promotes weight loss by assisting oxidation (spoilage) and discards the stored fat tissue. According to an article published in the Brazilian Journal of Epidemiology, this is because it acts on the production of catecholamines, such as adrenaline.
Furthermore, this acid is essential in producing another substance, carnitine. This, in turn, is well known to those who work out, as it increases energy production. With this, the body starts to burn accumulated fat, reducing body weight.
The article in question also indicated that vitamin C deficiency is a risk factor for obesity and diabetes, favouring adipose tissue accumulation.
Popularly, lemon is already known to be rich in this nutrient, but according to the Brazilian Food Composition Table (TACO), every 100 grams of lemon contains 38 of vitamin C. This represents more than half of the recommended daily values ​​for a lemon. Adult women, for example.
But, the hypolipidemic capacity is another property that makes this drink an ally of the weight loss process. This means that it reduces the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides that accumulate in the blood and other tissues.
Lemon is also a potent anti-inflammatory, reducing the body’s normal reaction against harmful factors such as fat that causes swelling.
Finally, according to TACO, a 100 g serving of lemon contains only 32 calories. For this reason, the fruit-flavoured drink will not increase your daily caloric intake.
Other health benefits of drinking
Relieves nausea
According to a Spanish article published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, lemon has digestive and antiemetic effects. The fruit is rich in limonene, citric acid and coumarins. They all act by increasing the production of gastric acids, which are responsible for the digestion of food.
In this way, even what causes nausea is removed from the stomach, providing quick relief. Even pregnant women can benefit from this drink to reduce morning sickness, as long as it is consumed in small amounts and with medical supervision.
Treats and prevents flu, colds and respiratory allergies
The treatment and prevention of colds and flu are achieved due to the antiviral properties of citrus fruit. This benefit comes from the action of limonene, proven by research published in the scientific journal Moléculas in 2016.
In the study, researchers placed the compound on plates with some viruses. The result indicates that limonene can prevent the proliferation of microorganisms that cause respiratory diseases.
On the other hand, allergies are fought by the anti-inflammatory effect of the fruit. For those unaware, this health problem is an inflammatory process that occurs when the body perceives the presence of a foreign body.
This element activates mechanisms that release histamine, a substance that dilates blood vessels to increase the delivery of defence cells to the affected region. Thus, increased blood flow causes redness, pain and heat in the area, common symptoms of allergies.
By fighting inflammation, lemon can simultaneously eliminate the foreign body and alleviate the signs of the allergic process.
Strengthens immunity
This action exists due to the increased production of the lemon’s antibodies. Specifically, the fruit can stimulate the production of type B and T lymphocytes, defence cells that fight against invading microorganisms.
Protect the cells
According to an article in Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, vitamin C is essential in producing collagen. This substance promotes a good skin appearance and protects the body’s other cells.
Detoxifies the liver
Another advantage of drinking lemon water is for your liver, as the fruit has hepatoprotective properties. This prevents toxic substances, such as alcohol, microorganisms or medication, from harming the organ.
In addition, this citrus fruit is another food rich in antioxidants, responsible for preventing the action of harmful substances in the liver, primarily free radicals.
Finally, lemon juice can also stimulate bile production, a liquid in the liver that dilutes fat. Thus, drinking this drink daily is a way to optimize the functioning of this organ without overloading it.
Increases iron absorption
The iron heme derived from plant sources needs the action of vitamin C to be absorbed more effectively. This is because it directly influences the transport and storage of the mineral in the body.
There is also the fact that ascorbic acid can “dribble” the existence of anti-nutrients in vegetables. This increases the bioavailability of specific vitamins and minerals, such as phytates.
Another reason vitamin C is essential for iron absorption is that it keeps the mineral in a soluble form, facilitating more excellent absorption by the intestine.
How do make and take?
Ingredients:
- One glass of cold filtered water
- One ripe lemon.
Preparation method:
Squeeze the lemon into the water and drink it afterwards without adding sweetener. Or, you can use a jar with 1 litre of ice water and add the lemons in peeled and well-sanitized slices. This second version can be consumed in fractions throughout the day.
To choose the best option among the types of lemons, you can choose one that suits your taste.
Is there any contraindication
The Homemade Remedy did not find any express prohibition on consuming lemon water. However, people who suffer from gastritis or stomach ulcers can have symptoms aggravated by drinking.
According to a publication by Blog da Saúde, administered by the Ministry of Health, acidic substances increase stomach acidity. This problem causes the burning sensation to grow and aggravates stomach problems.
Therefore, it is necessary to be careful when ingesting this drink, preferably looking for your doctor so that the professional can evaluate the clinical case and inform you whether or not it is allowed.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.