Forget Hot Water with Lemon! Three Drinks That Do Wonders for Weight Loss

Nowadays, many have adopted what might be said to be the current most popular way to start one’s daily routine – drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning. However, when deciding to take up the habit of having a cup of this beverage every morning, most people simply overlook the negative effects that can ensue from its regular consumption.

Despite the fact that lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants, it has been found that it can aid in weight loss only when combined with warm water. Furthermore, in spite of the immense praise that lemon water has received for its alleged miraculous benefits, there is still very little evidence to suggest that the regular consumption of this beverage can improve digestion and eliminate toxins from the organism.

Along with the benefits, there are many side effects as well!

In addition, drinking warm lemon water can also have some quite nasty side effects if one drinks too much of it. Firstly, due to lemons’ high acidity, it is advised that people with sensitive stomachs avoid their consumption. For that matter, drinking lemon water is also considered to have quite a damaging effect on teeth as well since the extensive contact of acid with the teeth can lead to an erosion of the tooth enamel making teeth sensitive to cold or hot foods and drinks. Last but not least, the consumption of too much warm lemon water may also trigger heartburn, which is characterized with severe burning and pain in one’s chest.

Considering these side effects, we can conclude that lemon water should by no means be drunk to excess and that everyone should stick to the recommended dose of one to two cups of it per day.

Clearly, there is no magical drink that can help us lose weight instantly, however, there are some potential options that combined with a healthy lifestyle can significantly aid in weight loss. Unlike lemon water that should be consumed in moderation, there are some drinks that are considered to be very beneficial for weight loss and can be consumed in much larger quantities.

Here are our top three such drinks:

1. Green Tea

Green tea is a beverage free of calories and highly effective in burning fat and weight loss. One study found that people who drank four cups of green tea per day for a period of two months, lost approximately 3 kg more than those who drank only water. In addition, an analysis of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition also found that people who consume green tea on average have less weight and narrower waist. You should always choose fresh tea over bottled versions of it, because these beverages usually contain high amount of sugar and less antioxidants. Also, it is recommended to avoid green tea supplements as they can lead to liver damage.

2. Coffee

This tasty beverage with exceptional smell is considered to be a natural energy drink. According to research, two to three cups of fresh coffee consumed prior to workout will allow your body to exercise longer and harder, which equals a higher rate of calories burnt. In one study, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Health, people who exercised were found to be able to perform nearly 20 percent more repetitions during a training.

Nevertheless, it is very important to keep in mind that you shouldn’t add any sugar or milk to your coffee as these can reverse coffee’s positive effects.

3. Cold Water

Adding a few ice cubes to your glass of water instead of lemon slices can help you lose weight. Cold beverages force the body to consume more energy in order to maintain body weight. In order to warm an 8-oz glass of ice water, the body burns about 7 to 10 calories, which means that by drinking large quantities of cold water, your body will burn many, many calories throughout the day.

If you continue to do this regularly, you can lose up to 4.5 kg throughout a period of one year, unless you refuel these calories with other foods.