Lemon For Weight Loss

Lemon and limes are two fruits that are perhaps never eaten on their own, and the reason is their taste. They are acidic and tart, both qualities that make them extremely improbable as snacking options or standalone foods. However, even though these fruits are not eaten alone, they are full of healthful benefits and can be added to various other foods to improve and increase their flavors. They are not only rich in vitamins and minerals, but also have several other health benefits. Weight watchers and dieters have always considered lemon as the secret weapon in their weight loss arsenal.

If you are planning to use lemon for weight loss, you can choose from among the many ways in which it can be used. Most people use lemon for weight reduction by adding its juice to warm water and honey. You can use lemon to lose weight in other ways as well. Your dietitian can help you identify the best ways in which you can utilize lemon. However, it is best to use fresh lemons and only fresh lemon juice instead for any kind of preserved or refined lemon juice. The health benefits of lemon stretch beyond just weight loss. The nutritional value of lemon juice is enhanced due to the large amount of vitamin C it contains. The combination of these nutrients can help you achieve your weight loss goals much more easily. These antioxidants can speed up your overall weight loss and can also keep you healthy through the process.

Lemon Intake For Weight Loss

There is no specific amount of lemon that you should consume for healthy weight loss. However, since lemons contain a lot of acid, too much of the fruit can harm your stomach lining causing permanent damage to the digestive system. The lemon intake for weight loss should be discussed with your doctor or your dietitian. Depending on your state of health and your weight loss goals, your doctor will let you know how much lemon juice you can consume without experiencing any negative side effects. If you are using lemon to flavor foods, a small amount of it can be sufficient. However, if you are using lemon for other weight loss purposes, you may have to consume larger quantities. Usually, you cannot consume more than one ounce of lemon juice or 4 to 5 whole lemons without developing burns in your mouth or your tongue. Some people, who are more sensitive to ascorbic acid, may experience only mild discomfort on consuming similar quantities of the fruit and its juice. More on nutritional benefits of lemon juice

How Lemon Benefits In Weight Reduction

There are a lot of ways in which lemons benefit in weight reduction. First and foremost, even the smallest quantities of lemon or lime juice can help you suppress your appetite. Research suggests that consuming a glass of water with the juice of one lemon can help suppress your appetite so that you eat less than you otherwise would. Lemon also contains large amounts of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. It can help improve the functioning of your body and also improve your overall fitness. This means, you have more energy to stay and remain active, work out and indulge in fitness routines. Consuming lemon juice with warm water and honey can help loosen fat. After consuming lemon and water in this manner, even light exercises will benefit you more. Another important thing to consider here is the fact that lemon juice adds flavor to other nutritious foods, which you may not like to consume otherwise, due to their bland taste. Lemons and limes also contain several different phytochemicals that can be consumed to improve your health, immunity and stamina. These chemicals also help prevent various types of cancers.

Precautions While Consuming Lemon:

Due to their high content of ascorbic acid, you will need to take some precautions while eating lemons. Lemons are very acidic, and when their acids are combined with the bile acids and digestive juices of your stomach, they can cause a lot of superficial damage. Once your stomach lining is damaged, you may have problems with your digestive tract. Always consume limited amounts of lemon and lemon juice, and make sure that you consume the freshest fruits. Always look for unblemished fruits that look ripe. The fruit should typically be heavier than it appears. This is an indication of its juiciness. You can store lemons for about a month, but storing them for longer can destroy the phytochemicals and antioxidants in the fruit. It is best to store the lemons in their whole form. If you cut them and store them, they tend to harden and get damaged. Even the juice may dry up or get oxidized. Limes are usually more flavorful than lemons, but lemons are usually considered better than limes. Always consume lemons at room temperature or mixed with warm water, for weight loss. Even the rind of lemon can be used in foods, but this is usually very bitter and most people prefer not to consume it.

Submitted on January 16, 2014