Hot lemon water combines powerful agents that improve your chances for weight loss: the potent vitamin C and antioxidants of lemon and the digestion-improving ability of hot water. To prepare this common potable, warm water on your stove and allow it to cool to a bearable temperature and squeeze the juice of a fresh whole lemon. Don’t use a microwave or pasteurized lemon juice from a bottle. Although hot lemon water helps set conditions that are conducive to weight loss, the home remedy doesn’t take the place of eating well and exercising nor does it replace the advice of your health care provider.
Diuretic and Laxative
One of the reasons this drink works well is because lemons are diuretic, meaning you’ll make a few extra trips to the bathroom and rid yourself of water weight. In addition, hot lemon water has been widely advocated as a laxative, reports Purdue University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. It helps relieve constipation by helping you pass softer stools. Lemons promote your body’s production of digestive enzymes by the liver. The benefits include less heartburn, bloating and burping. Drinking this concoction with a meal will also stimulate the production of gastric juices that will get a head start on digesting your food.
Part of the reason for the powerful effects of this combination is lemon’s high vitamin C content. According to an article published in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition” in 2005, vitamin C is inversely related to your body mass. Researcher reported that having enough vitamin C intake, as opposed to being vitamin C-deficient, helps your body set off a series of chemical reactions that break down your body fat for use as energy. Those who have a “depleted vitamin C” status are more resistant to this reaction.
Fat Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity
The November 2008 issue of the “Journal of Biochemical Nutrition” states that lemon polyphenols — molecules found in plants with antioxidant qualities — “significantly suppressed” weight gain, accumulation of fat pads, excessive fat in your bloodstream, high blood sugar and insulin resistance. As a citrus fruit, lemons contain flavonoids that have many other weight-related benefits, including decreasing your liver’s production of cholesterol and triglycerides. The authors suggest that all these properties help not only with weight loss but in the treatment and prevention of obesity and diabetes.
Benefits of Heated Water
Hot water, says Dr. Susan Brown, of BetterBones.com, builds digestive strength. Simmering water with lemon will help stimulate the digestive process. Moreover, drinking warm water will slightly raise your body heat, allowing for a slight increase in thermogenesis, the process your body uses to burn calories from foods you eat. It will also help with the pain, discomfort and bloating associated with constipation. Practice safety when using hot water to be sure you don’t scald yourself.
Side Effects and Caution
Purdue University notes that daily use of hot lemon water can erode the enamel of your teeth. The teeth can even be worn to your gums with prolonged use. You can try sipping hot lemon water through a straw positioned toward the back of your mouth so it won’t touch your teeth. Also know that, even though the benefits of this drink are widely accepted in scientific literature, hot lemon water is not an established method that is prescribed to treat any condition.
BDST: 1529 HRS, MAY-25, 2014
