Rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, lemons are considered by many as a power food that can boost our immune system and prevent heart health. One of the most common health claims about lemon juice refers to its role in weight loss – drinking hot water with lemon is often recommended to people looking to shed pounds.
But, could you use lemon juice to lose weight?
Lemon Juice and Weight Loss Theories
One of the reasons why people think they could use lemon juice to lose weight is its high content of pectin fiber. It’s considered that this fiber can expand your stomach and make you feel full. However, most of this fiber is found in lemon’s skin and pulp, which people often ignore. A more likely reason why hot water and lemons may lead to weight loss is that drinking water on its own can help increase the number of calories you burn.
There have been some animal studies that found that certain plant compounds in lemons may reduce body fat and weight, but the research involving humans is still lacking.
Lemons and Digestive Health
A more likely way to use lemon juice to lose weight is by improving your digestive health and reducing the risk of diabetes. Research shows that pectin fiber can slow down the digestion of starches and sugars, resulting in lower blood sugar levels and weight maintenance.
But, like we previously mentioned, just drinking lemon juice will hardly be enough. To reap the benefits of lemons for your digestive health, you need to include the pulp and the skin, as they contain the most fiber.
Conclusion
Instead of using lemon juice to lose weight, eating lemon slices could be a better choice. Most of the lemon’s weight loss effects come from pectin, which is found in the pulp and skin.
