Use Lemons to Lose Weight
Although lemons have a long history of use as ornamental plants, an antiseptic, in cooking and for flavoring, the use of lemons today spreads much wider. As a fruit most people don’t think of using the lemon outside of kitchen purposes however its abilities spread much farther than one would think. The lemon contains so many elements that it makes it a great tool to help during weight loss. Once these ingredients are in the body they work their way throughout ones system to assist in absorption, digestion, detoxification, and alkalizing. By adding lemons to your diet you can increase your weight loss substantially and help to burn fat.
Lemons are complex fruits that have an outer rind and fleshy pulp on the inside. Both the rind and pulp have nutritional value, which help to aid in the bodies systems. Lemons contain Thiamine (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Niacin (vitamin B3), Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), Vitamin B6, Folate (vitamin B9), Vitamin C, calcium, citric acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and pectin. These ingredients enhance metabolism, stimulate digestion and help to cleanse the body. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that destroys free radicals in the body. It also helps the body to absorb calcium into fat cells, which plays a crucial role in how fat is stored and broken down by the body. Magnesium works in conjunction with calcium to form blood albumin, which moves nutrients through the blood. Citric acid helps to lower blood pressure, remove fatty acids from inside blood vessels, and regulates the break down of glucose, which releases energy. Phosphorus is necessary for the digestion on vitamins B2 & B3, works with calcium to build strong bones, and helps to digest carbohydrates and fats to be used for energy. Pectin is a soluble dietary fiber, which reduces sugar and cholesterol absorption. Due to these components the body is able to efficiently break down and fats, absorb nutrients and eliminate necessary toxins.
When consumed lemons help the body with absorption of the correct nutrients. The citric acid in lemons interacts with enzymes in the stomach to lower the absorption of sugar. This in turn regulates your blood sugar and reduces the creation of fat cells, which is where most sugar is stored. In addition it helps the body to absorb calcium an essential mineral needed to burn fat. When calcium and magnesium enter the body together, as they do in lemons, they form blood albumin. Albumin helps to move small molecules such as calcium throughout the body. Calcium is stored in fat cells and the more calcium present in fat cells the greater the ability to burn fat. Therefore calcium changes the body’s efficiency to burn fat.
Eating lemons, or adding them to your food or drink can stimulate your digestion. Slow digestion can lead to the creation of fat cells and fat storage. Therefore when your digestive tract is working correctly you will enhance your metabolism and lose weight more easily. In addition lemons are a diuretic helping to increase elimination. Lemons purify the liver by eliminating toxins and waste products more quickly. When your digestive tract is working properly you will cleanse your entire body by unwanted waste.
Although lemons are acidic and they contain citric acid, the effect on the body is quite the opposite. One would think that a citrus fruit like the lemon would cause our bodies pH to become acidic however the acidity content in the lemon helps to establish a more alkaline environment which is ideal for proper functioning. The body’s pH is normally slightly alkaline however when the pH starts to drop and become acidic it harms basic functions of cellular function. This leaves the body more open to mutation, toxicity and disease. As a defense the body creates fat cells to protect the vital organs and functions of the body, therefore leading to more body fat. To restore pH and help to decrease fat consume lemons and your body will become a more alkaline environment.
Now most people wouldn’t think of eating a whole lemon or even just a slice of lemon. However there are plenty of ways to consume lemons without puckering up to a lemon. When you go out to eat at a restaurant most often times if you ask for water they will serve it with a slice of lemon. This is the easiest way to consume lemon and it’s cheap. Whenever you have a glass of water add a slice of lemon to it and drink. This way you add some flavor to your water but its not too sour. Another way is to add lemon to green tea. Lemon perfectly complements the taste of green tea and you will double the effects since green tea is great for your health as well. Honey is a great addition as well, which adds some natural sweetness but without the damaging effects of sugar. Apple cider vinegar is another drink you can add lemon to. Lemon can also be added to several food dishes as flavoring or an additional ingredient. Squirt lemon juice on fish, or even a salad to add another dimension of flavor.
Whichever way you choose to add lemon into your diet, it will help you to stimulate your digestive tract, enhance your metabolism, give you more energy and help you to burn off those pounds. Drink a glass of water with lemon a day and see the pounds shed away!
The Author:
Sarah Labdar graduated with a BA in exercise science and has worked in the medical field since. Her focus is alternative medicine and how it interacts and works in conjunction with traditional medicine.
