Ah, weight loss — one of the biggest “mysteries” of our time. It’s no secret that obesity rates are climbing, leading to a wide range of health conditions. So, what’s the solution?
Before we dive into an incredible lemon water drink, which will help you combat those stubborn pounds, it’s important to better understand what’s going on in terms of this dangerous trend. Why is it that so many people are gaining pound-after-pound of dangerous body fat?
Weight loss is a billion dollar industry
Within the United States, approximately 70 percent of the population is overweight. Nearly one in three people are considered to be obese. It’s sad to say, but the weight loss industry doesn’t want you to know the black and white truth. Year after year, dozens of new “diet” solutions become available, resulting in billions of dollars of profit.
In 2015, companies that offer weight loss services, such as Weight Watchers, pulled in an astounding $6.3 billion. When you start to factor in pills and supplements, you’re looking at a figure that is billions higher. As these companies become richer, we’re becoming sicker. The truth is, you cannot continue to follow the exact same lifestyle, expecting to lose weight — simply because you’re taking a capsule.
Trendy diets
The low-fat craze is another great example, as customers believe they’re making optimal choices. “Health” foods are marketed as such. Yet, in many ways, they’re actually sabotaging your health. When purchasing zero-fat yogurt, for instance, you’re essentially skimping out on fat (which your body needs) and instead, consuming copious amounts of sugar.
When the obesity epidemic first became a global health issue, you bet the food industry rapidly took notice. Remember, the food industry, just like the weight loss industry, has one key goal in mind — making money. What they did was create a vicious cycle, as we continued to purchase overly processed foods, packed with additives and chemicals.
Back to basics
I’m not saying that weight loss is by any means easy, but it is much simpler than we’ve been led to believe. In fact, it’s quite simple: eat less (and right), while moving more. It really is that simple.
If you have been trying to lose weight for as long as you can remember, it’s time to make some drastic changes. Adapting a new lifestyle, eating a balanced diet and becoming more active is the best possible strategy. As you know, willpower isn’t often enough — so what can you do to achieve results?
Two key words: culinary mindfulness.
This is exactly as it sounds. Will you need to become more mindful of what you’re eating, how much you’re eating, and even who you eat with. As you learn to choose foods that maximize your efforts, you will begin to expand your awareness, helping you build a stronger connection between the foods you consume and your health.
Jot some ideas down
To start, make a list of weight-friendly foods. After all, not all calories are equal. Consuming 500 calories from french fries will affect your body differently than 500 calories from oatmeal, berries and raw honey. When you begin to give your body the types of foods it craves, such as dark leafy greens, wild-caught fish, cruciferous vegetables, beans, nuts, apple cider vinegar, chilies, coconut oil and seeds, losing weight will no longer be an uphill, seemingly impossible battle.
The key is to cut out processed junk, getting into new healthy habits and routines — including this wonderful lemon water, complete with cayenne, cinnamon and raw honey.
Related: How To Lose Weight For Good With Apple Cider Vinegar
The lemon drink that will help you shed those excess pounds
There are all kinds of concoctions that can help you address your well-being. In conjunction with a balanced diet, this detoxifying water will help you enhance your ability to lose weight. Each ingredient benefits your health. When combined, weight loss can result — here’s how.
Lemon water
To begin, lemon water will act as your foundation, as you add the remaining three ingredients. For starters, if you’re one to drink sodas or high-sugar fruit juices, this replacement beverage can instantly do wonders for your weight loss efforts. After all, staying hydrated is essential for your metabolism.
When studied in mice, lemon was shown to suppress body weight gain and body fat accumulation. Divided into three groups, the mice were either fed a low-fat diet, a high-fat diet or a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5 percent lemon polyphenols (extracted from lemon peel). Not only did lemon protect against diet-induced obesity, but also improved lipid metabolism and insulin resistance.
Cayenne
This natural herb is known to optimize weight loss efforts by curbing appetite and enhancing your metabolism, helping you burn calories. This is based on cayenne’s main active component — capsaicin. Offering thermogenic properties, the addition of this pepper can enhance the speed of your metabolism.
As stated throughout research, both animal and human studies have shown that cayenne not only increases energy expenditure, but also fat oxidation. When combined with lemon, you further enhance the detoxifying effects of both ingredients. As you reduce the level of toxins in your body, your metabolism functions at a more desirable rate.
Raw honey
Of course, raw honey will make this drink taste better, but it will also support your ability to lose weight. Within the past couple of years, many have sworn by the “Honey Diet,” helping you trigger metabolic changes while you bust sugar cravings. This diet was based on the fact that as a whole, we struggle to lose weight because we’re consuming far too many processed foods, as well as too much sugar.
Within your brain, each cell is surrounded by glial cells. These monitor blood sugar in the brain, ensuring that the brain has enough available fuel. Complete with microscopic pumps, these cells essentially measure the density of sugar in your blood. When you’re consuming sodas, cookies and other processed foods high in sugar, these pumps can shut down.
Although this is meant to protect your brain from sugar overload, it often results in sugar cravings. Instead of binging on a cake, honey is believed to help break this cycle. When adding raw honey to your lemon water, you will also benefit from a wide range of micronutrients.
Cinnamon
To better regulate your blood sugar, cinnamon will most certainly come to the rescue. When consuming cinnamon on a regular basis, it increases the metabolism of glucose. When your fasting blood sugar is high, this can not only lead to diabetes, but also an increased storage of body fat.
Within one study, published in PLoS ONE, researchers studied obese mice. They found that cinnamon improved insulin sensitivity and brain activity. This also led to lower triglyceride levels and increased liver glycogen — helping to decrease dangerous liver fat.
How to make this supportive lemon drink
Ingredients
- 1 glass warm water
- 1.5 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- A dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
1. Once you have warmed a glass of water, combine and mix all of the above ingredients.
2. Consume this drink three times daily, approximately 30 minutes before nutrient-rich meals, for the first two weeks. Following this initial period, consume once a day before breakfast.
On that note, I will leave you with this, “Losing weight is hard. Being overweight is hard. Pick your hard.” You can dramatically change your life be changing your diet, beginning with this weight management beverage. Cheers!
— Krista Hillis
