Lemon Juice For Weight Loss: How To Make And When To Drink It

Learn how to prepare lemon water for weight loss and other health benefits.

Medically reviewed by Merlin Annie Raj, RD (Registered Dietitian)
Written by Charushila Biswas, MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist
Edited by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health
Fact-checked by Sindhu Koganti, BTech (Biotechnology), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach  • 

Lemon juice, loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, is an excellent drink for your overall health. You can drink lemon juice for weight loss as it helps burn fat. However, there is no need to drink lemon juice for weight loss throughout the day, but adding it to your daily diet is more than enough. Try drinking lemon juice every day to see your body transform from fat to fit in no time.

So, how does lemon or lime juice help reduce weight? Let us find out here.

1. Lemon Juice Nutrition Facts

2. Does Lemon Water Help You Lose Weight

Lemon water can be a helpful addition to a weight loss regimen, but it’s not a miracle solution on its own. Here’s how it can contribute to shedding pounds:

  • Hydration: Lemon water is a low-calorie beverage that can keep you adequately hydrated, preventing the confusion between thirst and hunger, which often leads to overeating.
  • Metabolism Boost: Lemons contain vitamin C that may support metabolic function. While the impact is minor, a slightly faster metabolism may help you burn extra calories.
  • Digestion: Lemon water may enhance digestion, reducing bloating and discomfort to indirectly support weight loss.

However, it’s important to note that lemon water alone won’t lead to substantial weight loss. It should be part of a balanced diet and regular exercise routine for more effective results.

3. When To Drink Lemon Water for Weight Loss ?

When to drink lemon water for weight loss
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  • Drink 1 cup of lemon water in empty stomach early in the morning
  • Drink 1 cup of lemon water (with a pinch of salt) during a workout session
  • Drink 1 cup of lemon water 30 minutes before lunch and dinner

Preparing lemon water for weight loss will take 5 minutes of your time. Here is how to prepare a tangy, vitamin C-rich lemon juice at home.

4. How To Make Lemon Water For Weight Loss?

How to make lemon water for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cup water
How To Prepare
  1. Heat the water till it gets warm.
  2. Squeeze the lemon juice into the cup of warm water.
  3. Stir well.

5. Other Lemon Water Recipes for Weight Loss

If you get bored of drinking the same lemon water every day, use other ingredients to enhance the taste that will further boost your weight loss. Here are a few lemon water weight loss recipes for you.

Lemon And Honey

Honey and lemon for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon honey
How To Prepare

Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a cup of warm water.

1. Add honey and stir well.

Benefits

Like lemons, honey also promotes weight loss. When you have a shot of honey in the morning, you give your body a shot of energy, which helps you to stay active all day. The more active you stay the more fat you mobilize. It is also a potent antidiabetic agent (1).

Lemon And Cinnamon

Cinnamon and lemon for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How To Prepare
  1. Add the ground cinnamon to a cup of water and let is soak overnight.
  2. In the morning, boil the cinnamon water till the water level drops to half.
  3. Let it cool and strain it.
  4. Add lemon juice and stir well.
Benefits

Cinnamon helps lower bad cholesterol levels and has antimicrobial properties (2).

Lemon And Mint

Mint and lemon for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 lemon
  • 6-7 mint leaves
How To Prepare

Use a mortar and pestle to crush the mint leaves.

  1. Throw the crushed mint leaves into a glass.
  2. Add 1 cup water to it and squeeze in the lemon juice.
  3. Stir well.
Benefits

Mint is rich in antioxidants. It helps treat gastrointestinal disordersi  XDiseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or bloating. and has antimicrobial activity (3).

protip_icon Quick Tip
You can substitute mint leaves with fresh basil, dill, or thyme leaves to add an element of freshness to your lemon juice.

Lemon And Ginger

Ginger and lemon for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ lemon
  • ½ inch ginger root
How To Prepare
  1. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the ginger root.
  2. Toss the crushed ginger root into a glass.
  3. Add 1 cup water and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon.
  4. Stir well.
Benefits

Ginger fights obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, digestive problems, and skin issues. It has anti-inflammatory properties and therefore helps to reduce pain (4).

Risa, a health-focused YouTuber, shares how she naturally lost belly fat by consuming a a drink made with lime, ginger, orange, and grapefruit. She says, “ This is so powerful, I do it most especially after festive periods, like last week I had a lot to eat, there were a lot of parties I attended and I ate a lot and I did this and trust me my tummy is all down (i).” She adds that you should drink this for three days to notice visible changes.

Lemon And Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper and lemon for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 lemon
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
How To Prepare
  1. Add lemon juice and cayenne pepper to a cup of water.
  2. Stir well.
Benefits

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is a potential metabolism booster. It also prevents the fatty liver formation, diabetes, atherosclerosisi  XThe narrowing of arteries caused by plaque buildup in their walls, which can increase the risk of a heart attack. and prevents the risk of hypertensioni  XA condition that causes higher blood pressure than normal. In severe cases, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke. and stroke (5).

Lemon Herbal Tea

Lemon herbal tea for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 herbal tea bag
  • ¼ lemon
How To Prepare
  1. Boil a cup of water and pour into a cup with a lid.
  2. Dip the herbal tea bag and put the lid on.
  3. Remove the tea bag after 5 minutes.
  4. Add lemon juice and stir well.
Benefits

Lemon gives the herbal tea a citrusy taste and fruity smell. Herbal teas are effective in preventing diabetes (6).

protip_icon Quick Tip
You can add ginger, cardamom, or black pepper powder to spice up your lemon herbal tea.

Lemon And Fruits

Fruits and lemon for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 1 orange
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 kiwi
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Pinch of black salt
How To Prepare
  1. Chop the kiwi and toss into a blender.
  2. Add lemon juice, orange juice, and honey.
  3. Give it a spin.
  4. Pour into a glass and add a pinch of black salt.
  5. Stir well.
Benefits

Kiwis are rich in vitamin E and antioxidants (7). Oranges/citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (8).

  • Lemon Juice And Cucumber Water

Cucumber water and lemon juice for weight loss
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Ingredients
  • 6-7 slices of cucumber
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 cups water
How To Prepare
  1. Pour 2 cups of water into a bottle.
  2. Squeeze in the juice of a lemon and add the cucumber slices.
Benefits

Cucumbers help in flushing out the toxins, eases the pain caused by sunburn and swelling, and prevents constipation (9). Sip on this drink throughout the day to detox your body.

6. Benefits Of Lemon Water

Boosts Immunity

Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, an antioxidant, which helps to scavenge the harmful free oxygen radicals.

Aids Proper Digestion

Lemons contain citric acid and pectin that assists digestion and help cleanse the gut. Pectin also helps to slow down the rate at which the food leaves the stomach, which produces a feeling of fullness for longer.

Anti-Obesity Agent

Lemons contain limonin that helps to lower bad cholesterol in the blood and helps to burn fat.

Flushes Out Toxins

Since lemons are a great source of vitamin C and scavenge free oxygen radicals, it helps to flush out the toxins produced in the body. It also helps in flushing out the toxins in the colon.

Slows Down Aging

DNA damage is the primary cause of aging. Vitamin C in lemons prevent DNA damage. Also, lemons help to produce collagen, which smoothen the wrinkles.

Maintains Bone Health

Vitamin C present in lemons helps to maintain the bone health by preventing bone damage from microbial infection.

Supports Liver And Kidney Functions

Pectin lowers bad cholesterol in the liver and prevents the formation of kidney stones. The polyphenols boost metabolism and the activity of liver enzymesi  XProteins in the body that increase metabolic activity by acting as catalysts. It helps with respiration and aids digestion. .

Boosts Mood

The glass of lemon water with its citrusy taste and refreshing smell helps to boost mood and relax body and mind.

Though there are many benefits of drinking lemon juice you should only consume it in right doses and at the right time.

7. Things To Do And Not To Do

DosDon’ts
Use filtered water.Don’t use cold water.
Drink lemon water at least thrice a day.Do not buy chemically treated lemons.
The first dose of lemon water early in the morning should be taken on an empty stomach.Avoid having more than five lemons per day.
Always dilute lemon juice with a cup of water.Do not take lemon juice directly as it may erode tooth enamel.
Eat healthy. Include a good source of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats in your daily diet.Avoid junk food and high-sugar containing foods.

8. Useful Tip

  1. If you want to speed up your fat mobilization, nothing can work better than exercising. If you do not like heavy workouts, start with yoga or stretching exercises.
  2. Wash the lemon water down with a gulp of water to remove any traces of lemon on your teeth.

9. Lemon Juice Side Effects

Consuming too much lemon juice may cause heartburnsi  XBurning sensations in the throat or chest that typically leave a bitter taste in the mouth afterward. , tooth enamel erosion, acid reflux, and excessive urine.

Lemon juice is an easy and fantastic remedy for your “not able to lose weight” problem. So no more worries and sad faces. Pick up your lemon drink today, smile, and say cheers! Don’t forget to share your lemon water weight loss results with us.

Infographic: How To Make Lemon Water For Weight Loss

Lemons contain many vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that offer many health benefits. This citrus fruit promotes weight loss, as it helps burn fat. However, you must ensure you consume lemon water during the recommended hours to reap its benefits. Check out the infographic below to learn how to consume lemon water for weight loss.

how to make lemon water for weight loss (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

If you have ever wondered about simple dietary changes that can help you lose that excess fat, you must have come across the benefits of lemon for weight loss. Rich in vitamin C, and important minerals, lemon juice not only helps with fat burning but also helps boost your immunity and health overall. You can also add mint, honey, ginger, cinnamon, or other herbs and spices to flavor it as per your preference. Drinking lemon juice on empty stomach or before meals would help you make the most of its weight loss benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink lemon water at night?

Yes, drinking lemon water at night is generally considered safe. Having hot lemon water before going to bed helps you relax, ensures hydration, and induces sleep.

How much lemon water should I drink a day?

Drinking 1- 2 glasses of lemon water a day is generally considered safe without any side effects. It can be had with or without a meal.

What is the lemon water diet?

The lemon water diet, also known as the lemonade diet or master cleanse, involves drinking just a lemon juice mixture for several days to weeks while abstaining from solid food. Advocates of the diet claim that it can help detoxify the body, boost metabolism, and aid in weight loss. However, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims and some health experts suggest that the diet may be unhealthy and potentially dangerous due to its extremely low-calorie intake and lack of essential nutrients.

Key Takeaways

  • Lemon juice is loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins A and C and calcium.
  • Drinking lemon juice daily boosts immunity, flushes out toxins from the body, and contributes to weight loss.
  • You can mix lemon water with honey, mint, or cinnamon to help kickstart the digestive system and promote weight loss.
  • Excess consumption of lemon juice may lead to heartburn and excessive urine.
lemon for weight loss

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Curious about the weight loss benefits of lemon and honey? Tune in to this video to uncover the truth and learn how this simple combination can aid in your weight loss journey.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Honey – A Novel Antidiabetic Agent
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3399220/
  2. Cinnamon: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003790/
  3. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Mentha Longifolia L. and its main constituent menthol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4171855/
  4. Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity: Review of Current Evidence
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/
  5. Capsaicin may have important potential for promoting vascular and metabolic health
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4477151/
  6. Herbal tea in the treatment of diabetes mellitus
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11055324/
  7. Antioxidant and ’natural protective’ properties of kiwifruit
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21506926/
  8. Citrus fruits as a treasure trove of active natural metabolites that potentially provide benefits for human health
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4690266/
  9. Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23098877/
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