Can drinking lemon water help in weight loss?

Deesha Bondre | Oct 14, 2019, 19:32 IST
Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning is often considered one of the most popular ways to reduce weight. However, despite the entire buzz, many people do no believe lemon water is benefitial for weight loss.
Hence we decided to break things down to figure out if lemon water is helpful in weight loss, and if so, how much exactly. Read on to know the truth.
First things first, according to experts, fresh lemon squeezed in water doesn’t lead to weight loss. However, it works in your favour when you use it as a replacement for beverages like milk-based drinks or fruit juices. Basically, it helps cutting down calories in the diet. Keeping yourself hydrated is another important component of losing weight. This is because our body sometimes interprets thirst as hunger and thus we end up eating more than the required amount of calories. And lemon water keeps you super hydrated.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition found that polyphenols (plant-based compounds, which act as antioxidants) found in the lemon juice, as well as its peel, can stimulate the liver to burn fat.
The study was conducted on rats that were being fed a high-fat diet and so the results don’t exactly apply to humans until you are on a ketogenic diet.
Lemon water can help in reducing the bloated belly as it acts as a mild diuretic. But if you are experiencing bloating for a long time, lemon water might not help.
No drink can magically help you lose weight and slim down. You need to eat well and be active to lose weight healthily and sustainably.


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