Lemon juice and honey mixed in a glass of warm or lukewarm water and drunk on an empty stomach, every morning—this ritual has reached cult status for those looking for a short cut to weight loss. Celebrities such as Alia Bhatt and Beyonce swear by this elixir, giving lemon-honey water more gravitas. In fact, many of us have even tried it at some point since it seems easy enough to practice.
But the question is: does lemon-honey with lukewarm water really help one lose weight? Here’s the answer.
Myth or fact
“Water, room temperature or lukewarm, lemon and honey cannot guarantee effective weight loss,” says naturopath nutritionist, Ameeta M Shah. But the concoction is not devoid of health benefits. “It is a healthy addition to your mornings that may have a variety of other nutritional benefits,” shares Karishma Chawla, an independent nutritionist and health coach from Mumbai.
Three powerful elixirs
Even though lemon, honey, and water don’t hold the key to weight loss but don’t dismiss their existence and power just yet.
Water plays multiple roles in the human body: From lubricating joints to transporting nutrients, water plays a crucial role, not just in the morning but throughout the day—gives great skin, helps flush out toxins, boosts metabolism, aids heart health, and improves heart health. When it comes to warm water, Chawla adds, “It aids in creating an alkaline environment in the body, which eventually helps stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and keeps things moving.”
Meanwhile, Shah explains the vitamin C and flavonoids in lemons act as antioxidants helping our metabolic health, immune system, digestion, and improve mood and energy levels. “Lime- or lemon-juice, when combined with water, can also help to detoxify the liver,” adds the expert.
Both experts concur that the amber liquid is a healthier alternative to refined sugar, which is 100% empty calories. However, it’s best not to binge on honey either; it still has sugar. It is anti-bacterial and rich in antioxidants, which can help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Additionally, “The combination of lemon and honey with water helps balance hormones,” explains Shah.
So, it won’t help me fit into my favourite jeans?
Lemon-honey water is a magic potion for your health but it rarely acts on its own, especially when it comes to weight loss. The drink can only aid the process—daily exercise and a balanced diet are important to truly see the benefits.
But just in case you’re looking for a drink that wallops the belly fat, Shah recommends lemon water with flax seed powder. On the other hand, Chawla prefers giving honey a miss and drink a glass of lemon water instead.
So, what’s your pick?