Is drinking lemon water with honey on an empty stomach a good idea?

The list of weight loss home remedies is an exhaustive one, with honey and lemon water sitting right on top. Many people drink warm lemon water with honey on an empty stomach for weight loss. Many see it as a good morning habit, especially now when there is a chill in the air. It might be a go-to drink for many for weight loss or simply to stay warm in winter, but it might do more harm than good for some. In some cases, it can even cause a burning sensation in the stomach. Having said that let’s find out if honey and lemon water on an empty stomach is a healthy morning habit or not.

Some say it’s good to have honey and lemon water first thing in the morning, others are against it.

To clear the confusion, Health Shots reached out to Dr Neha Pathania, Chief Dietician at Paras Hospitals in Gurugram, Haryana.

Benefits of having honey in morning

A doctor often advises taking honey on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. That’s so because it offers you an immediate energy boost that will last the entire day. Also, a tablespoon of honey before bed not only promotes restful sleep, but also aids in digestion and body and mind relaxation, says Dr Pathania.

She believes that honey is a great natural elixir. One spoonful of honey every morning also helps the body rid itself of impurities.

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How honey and lemon water works wonders for your health?

1. Honey and lemon are high in antioxidants

Honey as well as lemon are high in antioxidants that support help the body fight against free radicals. So, the expert suggests to drink a glass of honey water every day with a few drops of lemon.

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2. Water with lemon and honey aids in burning fat

It is a great morning beverage, so just have a glass of warm water with a few drops of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice. It increases metabolic activity, which aids in fat burning.

How you should have honey and lemon water?

The water shouldn’t be too hot, and you should consume 200 to 250 ml of honey lemon water at most. Drink slowly and savour the taste! Try it for about two months, and you will notice reduced belly fat, says Dr Pathania.

Who should avoid honey and lemon water on an empty stomach?

1. People with stomach ulcer and acidity issues

If you feel your tummy is on fire after drinking honey and lemon water on an empty stomach then you probably have acidity issues or stomach ulcer. It will probably irritate your stomach and you might end up in pain.

2. Diabetics

Honey and lemon water isn’t good for you because of the sweet content. So, as a diabetic, the expert says that you should stay away from sugar, honey or fructose.

Also Read: Create a healthy eating plan to manage diabetes with these tips

3. People who underwent bariatric surgery

It isn’t wise if you recently had bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery. The expert says that you might end up with dumping syndrome, which is also called rapid gastric emptying, if sugar, including honey or fructose, is consumed.

She says that it is better to stay away from foods that increase the body’s sensitivity to salt and sugar on a daily basis. A healthier habit to develop would be learning to trust natural and whole foods.