In the amazing (and dangerous) world of miracle diets we can find any type of recommendations that make us lose pounds quickly and risk our health. The lemon diet is one of them and it has become very famous for some years.
No diet, that ensures losing weight in record time, will be reliable and recommended for your body. In addition to putting your health at risk, you will face the rebound effect. Below we tell you what this diet consists of and what its dangers are.
What is the lemon diet?
The lemon diet is also sometimes called the detox diet. We have told you once that our body does not need any diet that "detoxifies" it, since that function is performed by the kidneys and the liver. Well, this diet is based on the theory that our body is full of toxins and that they worsen our quality of life (the most wrinkled skin, it is difficult to eliminate fat).
So this lemon diet claims to use the natural properties of citrus so that we can eliminate toxins.
According to believers in this diet, the qualities of lemons act directly on the gallbladder and liver, releasing stored toxins and allowing the liver to break down fat. In this diet they propose that we take the juice of a lemon with hot water in the morning, and that we continue consuming this drink throughout the day to reduce appetite.
It is not the first time that we hear that lemon water is great in the early morning, but “feeding” on this liquid can have serious health consequences. In addition, they tell us that it is a “light” drink because it does not contain sugar, but they encourage you to use stevia or maple syrup to sweeten it a little.
Does it really work?
It's great to maintain that lemon is detoxifying, but there's really no research linking it to effective weight loss. Your body does not need to clean itself with a drink, but by eating properly you can do it.
Logically, with the lemon diet you will lose weight. When we stop eating and replace meals with sips of lemon water, we are losing nutrients and our body will suffer radical weight loss. This lost weight, to a greater extent, will not be fat; but rather liquids and muscle mass. So once you resume your normal diet, you will gain weight again (even exceeding what you had).
What dangers do we face with the lemon diet?
The dangers are so greater compared to the "advantages" that it is not worth even thinking about doing it. Still, we tell you what dangers you will face.
- You will have a great loss of fundamental nutrients and great deficiencies of minerals and vitamins. It is true that lemons provide vitamin C, but following this diet we will not obtain good results.
- You will tend to suffer from anemia. You will find yourself without energy, exhausted and with continuous body fatigue. Lack of vitamins will also influence the weakening of the immune system.
- Your skin will lose elasticity and you will experience a "hanging" or "loose" skin effect. The body needs adequate time to decrease weight and make your physique fit. Remember that the skin is also a living organ.
- You will be very hungry when you replace food with a drink.
- As we warned before, you will face a significant loss of muscle mass. Not having carbohydrates and proteins in mind, your body will look for an energy source in the muscles and will end up wearing you out.
- It will affect your intestinal transit and digestive system. It is very possible that you suffer liquid evacuations for having altered the composition and balance of your diet.
- When you return to a normal diet, you will have to face the rebound effect, tending to gain more weight.
Weightloss
Those who undertake the lemon diet to lose weight, many are successful. Its caloric intake is very low during the lemon diet, which causes the body to burn more calories than it consumes. Some dieters lose more than 5 kilos. Losing so much weight in a short time can be dangerous to health.
Gastrointestinal activity
Some perform a saltwater discharge, in which large amounts of saltwater are consumed to "cleanse" the colon of waste. Frequent bowel movements are a common side effect of the salt water lemon diet. You may also experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a burning sensation when defecating.
Energy
Dieters sometimes experience a loss of energy. Fatigue, lethargy, or muscle aches are common side effects of reduced calorie intake. If you feel dizzy or overly fatigued, consider ending the lemon diet as soon as possible.
Oral hygiene
Drinking lemonade can cause a variety of changes in oral hygiene. Your tongue may turn white during the diet, although it usually returns to a normal color when finished. Other side effects include bad breath and increased plaque buildup on the teeth.
Mood
Severely limiting calorie intake for 10 days can negatively affect your mood. Many people feel irritable or upset during the diet, often because they are hungry. Others experience depressed mood or significant mood fluctuations. These side effects generally disappear after finishing the lemon diet.
Nutritional deficiencies
Nutrition experts warn that the lemon diet can leave your body without the proper nutrients. It can cause deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain good health. A healthier way to lose weight is to balance your diet to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole products, and lean protein.
If you want to lose weight in a healthy and sustained way, opt for a balanced diet and physical exercise. It will take longer and you will have to be more patient, but you will not be playing with your health and you will stay with the same weight over time.
