The verdict on hot lemonade
“Lemonade is commonly used as a home remedy to improve cold and flu symptoms,” Hernandez said. “There is no evidence that lemonade affects weight loss.”
OK, so lemonade doesn’t help with weight loss. But can it help in any way? Quite possibly!
Other Health Benefits of Lemon Water
“Lemons are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols. Antioxidants protect our cells from damage. For example, vitamin C helps in the production of collagen, a protein that supports skin, muscle, bone and connective tissue. It also helps your body absorb iron from food and may boost the immune system. Polyphenols, another antioxidant found in lemons, may help relieve fatigue and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
In addition to these benefits, lemon water may also help relieve allergies and even ease cold and flu symptoms, such as a sore throat.
Of course, lemon water, hot or cold, will help you achieve your hydration goals. According to the National Institutes of Health, 75 percent of people don’t drink enough water. But it’s important for temperature control, cognitive performance and gastrointestinal function.
Fun Fact: You can track how much water you drink and discover additional nutritional information about lemons using the free MyFitnessPal app.
Precautions
Be careful not to consume too much lemon in your daily water intake.
“Too much lemonade can aggravate acid reflux, increase tooth decay, trigger mouth ulcers, and may interact with certain medications,” Mercer says.
Bottom line.
Don’t go looking for an alternative miracle diet drink. “It doesn’t exist. It may not be the fun answer, but weight loss and management requires consistency and a holistic approach.
