Drinking honey and lemon mixed with warm water every morning on an empty stomach is often touted as the best way to lose weight. But this mixture, if had at the right time in the day, can do much more than help you reach your weight loss goal. Here are 9 ways a mixture of honey, lemon juice and warm water can help you stay fit and healthy.
Here are 10 ways to use honey for your skin, hair and body.
First things first — how do you make this magical concoction? Fill a tall glass with warm water (as hot as you can tolerate), add the juice of half a lemon and one teaspoon of honey to it. Now stir the mixture well and drink it. If you are diabetic, there is no need to shy away from this drink, here is why it is safe for you to add honey to this elixir. Also, remember to avoid drinking tea or coffee for at least half an hour after you have had the honey and lemon mix. While this remedy is perfect to help you stay healthy and beautiful, there are a lot of people who manufacture fake honey. Here’s how you can differentiate between real and fake honey.
Benefits of this drink
Keeps constipation away: Warm water with lemon and honey, when had in the morning, stimulates the digestive system, helps produce intestinal mucus, hydrates the colon and infuses water into dried stool — a common reason for constipation. Apart from that, the warm water helps kick start bowel movements, aiding in regular and constipation free motions. But if you suffer from long-standing constipation woes, you could try some of these home remedies.
Hastens weight loss: Apart from cleansing your stomach, the lemon juice present in the mixture, goes a long way in helping you lose weight. Packed with a type of fiber called pectin, lemon helps you feel full and keep cravings at bay. The warm water, honey and lemon also creates a more alkaline atmosphere in your stomach, helping you lose weight faster. Apart from this, you could also supplement your weight loss efforts with these tips to lose weight in 20 days.
Aids in better digestion: Lemon helps your liver produce more bile that helps your digestive system break down complex foods better and utilize the essential components. Honey, on the other hand, has antibacterial properties that help thwart any infections you might have. Apart from, that it also helps increase the production of mucous in your stomach, which indirectly helps in flushing out toxins from your body. Apart from drinking this healthy drink every day, make sure you avoid these foods that are difficult to digest.
Can improve functioning of the colon: In Ayurveda, it is believed that we tend to have a build up of toxins or ‘ama’ on the inner lining of our stomach, which is the reason for a number of ailments including cancer. This product of undigested food, intestinal cells and dead bacteria often coats the inner lining of our stomach and is thought to lead to diseases. By drinking lemon and honey mixed with warm water, the walls of the intestine – especially the colon – get stimulated; leading to the expulsion of this ama.
Helps cleanse the lymphatic system: According to experts, a dehydrated lymphatic system is one of the leading causes of illness. Lack of water and essential fluids in the lymphatic system can make you feel sluggish, fatigued, lead to constipation, disturbed sleep, high or low blood pressure, stress and an all-around lack in mental function. The benefit of drinking this mixture early in the morning is that it gives your lymphatic system a boost and helps hydrate the entire system.
Can give your energy levels a boost and improve your mood: Not a morning person? Well, this mixture can help beat that lethargy and fatigue you often feel every morning. How? Well, honey is an instant energy booster – minus the calories. Water helps clear your mind by providing fresh blood to your brain, and lemon activates your digestive system, getting to work properly and eliminating toxins that are often the reason for lethargy. Moreover, the scent of lemon is known to be a natural relaxant and can help uplift your mood. If you continue to feel fatigued, even after trying this remedy, there may be other causes for your symptoms. Do not neglect it and visit a doctor.
Aids in cleansing your urinary tract and acts as a diuretic: Honey is a very potent antibacterial agent, that has the capability to beat a number of common infections. When mixed with lemon and water – two agents that act as excellent diuretics (agents that flush out water from your body) – this concoction is the best way to cleanse your urinary tract. For women who suffer from frequent UTI (urinary tract infection), this is a boon and is known to keep recurrent infections at bay.
Helps beat bad breath and improve oral health: The acidic nature of lemon combined with the innate properties of honey and water can help beat bad breath almost instantly. The lemon cleanses your mouth, activating your salivary glands and killing offensive bacteria. When added to honey and water, it helps wash down bacteria and degraded food that is usually present in your mouth and throat early in the morning. Another reason for bad breath is the formation of a white film on your tongue (mainly consisting of decaying food and bacteria), this effectively gets rid of that film, making your breath fresh – naturally. If this doesn’t freshen your breath, you can try these expert tips.
Gives you clear skin and a natural glow: The benefits of lemon on your skin are aplenty, but apart from that, its cleansing action also helps in purifying your blood, also aiding in the production of new blood cells that acts as potent cleaning agents. The water and honey lend a unique restorative, antibacterial and collagen boosting properties to your skin as well.
Image source: Getty Images
Reference: the Health Site
