The benefits and harms of lemon for weight loss. How to use it correctly? Real reviews of those who have lost weight.
Slimming lemon is an excellent weight loss remedy that has been popular since ancient times. This product is famous for its high percentage of vitamin C, includes a huge amount of organic acids and minerals, helps accelerate metabolic processes, and, as you know, a person gains weight as a result of a disturbed metabolism. Lemon (and citrus fruits in general) burns unwanted calories and has a positive effect on the functioning of internal organs.
Useful properties of lemon for weight loss
In the photo, a drink with lemon for weight loss
Many have heard about the effectiveness of lemon for weight loss: tea, citrus water, various folk remedies based on it help not only get rid of excess weight, but also normalize metabolism and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
The secret of lemon's fat-burning properties lies in the presence of organic acids, which are able to normalize metabolism, dull hunger and break down fats. Citric acid interacts with enzymes and stimulates the production of gastric juice.
Due to the presence of vitamin C in lemon, the body manages to maintain strength at the required level, so any diet is easier to tolerate.
The high potassium content in lemon has a positive effect on brain activity. It nourishes nerve cells, stores calcium in bones, and plays an important role in energy production. Anxiety and stress are directly related to its lack in the body. And many have a habit of eating their depression with sweets. Hence, the failure of digestive processes, and an uncontrolled increase in body weight.
Also, the benefits of lemon for weight loss are associated with the content of boron, copper, zinc and vitamins of groups A, B and P. They have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, nourish it and restore elasticity, which is important during the fight against excess weight.
Interesting! In the process of losing weight, lemon essential oil plays an important role. It helps to dull hunger. This phenomenon was investigated by the American neurologist Alan R. Hirsch. He drew attention to how a new tasty smell irritates a person, even if he is full. The fact is that olfactory receptors are associated with certain centers of the brain: first they send a signal to the brain, and he, in turn, "gives a command" to the body, and we want to taste a deliciously smelling dish. This prompted the scientist to think that the aroma can not only excite, but also suppress the appetite. Therefore, if you inhale the smell of lemon before a meal, saturation will come faster.
Read more about the benefits and dangers of water with lemon on an empty stomach for weight loss
Contraindications and harm of lemon for weight loss
The list of lemon health benefits is impressive. Therefore, it seems to some that the more they eat it, the more kilograms they will lose. But this is not the case. Citrus should not be consumed as a mono-diet, because there is a risk of increasing the acidity of the stomach, destroying tooth enamel and even changing the menstrual cycle.
In addition, losing weight with lemon is not recommended in the following cases:
- Peptic ulcer - a person may have increased nausea, heartburn, increased gas formation, belching with a sour taste may appear.
- Gastritis - characterized by a sharp paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, stool disorders, dizziness and general weakness.
- Allergy - citrus fruits are included in the TOP of allergenic foods. If abused, lemon can provoke watery eyes, coughing fits, redness of the eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, and even anaphylactic shock.
- Pancreatitis - characterized by general weakness, mushy stools, rapid heart rate and pain in the upper abdomen.
- Kidney disease - a person has swelling, toxins accumulate in the blood, which lead to the appearance of acne. There is also pain in the lumbar region.
If you use lemon for weight loss with the above pathologies, you can aggravate the situation and provoke complications.
Lemon juice, although healthy, should not be drunk in its pure form even for people who do not have individual intolerance. Wanting to quickly say goodbye to the hated kilograms, do not forget that you run the risk of increasing the level of acidity in the body and undermining health.
Ways to use lemon for weight loss
Check the quality of the lemon before consuming it. It should be firm, with a rich, bright yellow color and a fresh scent. The spoiled product must be disposed of immediately.
The classic weight loss product is lemon water. It is advisable to drink it in the morning. As a result, calcium begins to be absorbed faster. It is he who is needed for energy production and fat burning. Also, polyphenols, which are found in lemon peel, accelerate the breakdown of fats.
To prepare a drink, half a citrus is squeezed into a glass. You can adjust the amount of water to your liking. It is not recommended to use carbonated liquid, as it can react with citrus acid and have unpredictable effects on the body.
To sweeten the drink a little, combine lemon and honey for weight loss. This is not only tastier, but also healthier. After all, honey compensates for the lack of glucose, prevents irritability, dizziness and chronic fatigue. The calorie content of the drink is small.
Citrus water is very healthy, but its taste and effect on the body can be enhanced by additional components. Pay attention to the following effective recipes with lemon for weight loss:
- Lemon juice with apple cider vinegar … One of the fat burning aids that are often included in the diet is apple cider vinegar. It contains organic acids, vitamins, enzymes and minerals that promote active burning of calories and eliminate cellulite. Vinegar accelerates blood microcirculation, has a thermal effect and stimulates metabolic processes. Lemon juice in combination with apple cider vinegar has detoxifying properties, restores the acid-base balance and cleanses the body of toxins and toxins. This cocktail is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. To prepare it, you need to add a few slices of lemon and 20 ml of apple cider vinegar to 250 ml of filtered water (or tea).
- Slimming lemon and cucumber cocktail … Also, such a drink is called Sassi water, since this recipe was proposed by the American nutritionist Cynthia Sassi. While cooking, she decided to combine dietary plant foods that trigger metabolism, and filled them with filtered water. The resulting recipe exceeded all expectations. Sassi's patients were rapidly burning excess calories. And the cocktail is prepared as follows: lemon, 20 g of ginger root and cucumber are removed from the peel and crushed. Pour 2 liters of water at room temperature and leave to infuse overnight. You can add mint petals for freshness. Be sure to cover the liquid with a lid, otherwise the essential oils may disappear. The entire volume is divided into 5-6 servings and drunk during the day, and in the evening a fresh mix is prepared again.
- Slimming Cinnamon Lemon Drink … Has proven to be both useful and very tasty. For cooking, finely chop 2 cinnamon sticks and pour 3 tbsp. l. freshly squeezed lemon juice. The mixture is infused for 5-10 minutes, 1 liter of filtered water is poured, mixed and placed in a refrigerator for 12 hours. Drink preferably half an hour before meals. Cinnamon enhances the fat-burning properties of the drink and activates the digestive processes.
- Tincture of lemon with garlic … It will help improve immunity, normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system and prevent the occurrence of colds. This effect is due to the chemical composition. Garlic contains dietary fiber, monosaccharides, vitamins B, C and PP, minerals. And lemon is rich in flavonoids, pectins, essential oils and organic acids. To prepare a drink, peel 4 lemons, 4 heads of garlic and pass through a blender. Then the components are placed in a 3-liter bottle and filled with filtered water at room temperature. The mixture should be infused for 3 days in a dark place. Then it is filtered through cheesecloth and poured into another container. Store in the refrigerator. Drink 100 ml of tincture 15 minutes before meals. It is advisable to arrange such detoxification within 40 days. Such a course can be conducted once a year. This is enough to cleanse blood vessels, normalize the digestive system and get rid of excess calories.
Many professional athletes use the following trick before weighing in: a few days before the competition, they begin to eat lemons with peels before going to bed. This helps to speed up the metabolism and get into the desired weight class.
