How to Drink Lemon Water to Lose Weight

Weight loss fads sweep across the culture at lightning speed. Many are silly and even dangerous, but every so often a fad appears that actually makes sense. Adding lemon juice to your drinking water is a good idea if you are trying to lose weight. Studies like the one done in 2008 at the Sugiyama Jogakuen University in Japan suggest that the polyphenols in lemons aid in weight loss. While a lemon juice diet alone is not recommended, drinking lemon water alone or with meals is an excellent way to stay hydrated.

Step 1
Fill a cup or mug with hot water and add a tablespoon or so of fresh lemon juice. Drink one cup in the morning and another before bed. Lemon juice has diuretic properties, so this will help keep your liver and kidneys functioning smoothly.

Step 2
Replace your usual sugary sodas or high-calorie blended coffee drinks with iced lemon water. This will help keep your calorie count down as well as reducing your intake of sugar and chemicals. Staying hydrated is very important when losing weight, and the chemicals and artificial sugars in most processed drinks can actually work against you.

Step 3
Fill a reusable water bottle with water and add a few lemon slices and a sprig or two of fresh mint. Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the lemons and mint the next morning, and sip the tangy water throughout the day.

Step 4
Drink an 8 oz. glass of lemon water 15 to 20 minutes before every meal. This will help fill you up and help you to keep your portions under control. Many people mistake thirst for hunger, so staying hydrated is a good way to help regulate your appetite.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh lemons
• Sharp knife
• Juicer
• Mug or cup
• Hot water
• Reusable water bottle
• Fresh mint (optional)
• Ice cube trays (optional)

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