Honey & Lemon Diet

The honey and lemon diet is claimed to be an effective home remedy for weight loss. The diet is based on drinking a glass of warm water mixed with 1 tsp. of honey and fresh-squeezed lemon juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. The honey and lemon diet needs to be combined with other weight loss principles to be effective.

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Benefits of Honey

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Honey is a source of riboflavin, vitamin B6, iron and manganese. It is a rich source of phenolic compounds that act as powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent the damage caused by free radicals. Free radical damage is often associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. BabyInfoCenter.com claims that honey aids in weight loss by dissolving fat cells, acting as an astringent to dry the oily substances found in fat cells, but no scientific evidence supports this claim. Additional benefits of honey include its energy-enhancing effects and wound-healing properties.

Considerations for Honey

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The health benefits of honey depend on its processing. Raw honey is honey that has not been pasteurized, clarified or filtered. In “The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods,” author Michael Murray says that raw honey retains more of its healthy nutrients that are often lost to the standard processing of honey. Murray goes on to say that raw honey contains phytochemicals known to protect against bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Function of Vitamin C

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In “Magic Foods,” the Reader's Digest Association says that 4 tbsp. of lemon juice will give you half the vitamin C you need in a day. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant by protecting your cells against damage caused by free radicals and toxins. Vitamin C aids in lowering cholesterol levels often associated with heart disease, stroke and cancer. In “The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods,” nutritional dietitian Michael Murray states that the main function of vitamin C is to manufacture collagen, the main protein substance of the human body. Collagen holds your body together through structures such as cartilage, connective tissue, ligaments and tendons.

Significance of Acid Content

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Lemons are considered to be highly acidic foods. According to the Reader's Digest Association, the citric acid in lemon juice reduces the excretion of calcium in the urine to help prevent kidney stones. In “The Master Cleanser,” author Stanley Burroughs says the acidity level helps with the breakdown of mucous that have accumulated in cell membranes. For this reason, Burroughs claims that lemons are an excellent aid to internal cleansing and elimination.

Function of Water

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The lemon and honey diet emphasizes drinking warm water first thing in the morning. The Reader's Digest Association recommends getting at least eight to 12 glasses of water in a day. “Babyinfocenter.com” claims that water helps relieve constipation and detoxifies your body. Water also aids in the digestion, transportation and absorption of vital nutrients throughout the body. An inadequate intake of water can lead to dehydration, fatigue, constipation and dizziness.