A spoonful of jam, a scoop of chocolate fudge or a piece of chocolate; our late night cravings revolve around these things. When someone with a sweet tooth has a craving for something sweet, all they need is their tongue to swirl in strong sugary flavour, but then dieting or losing weight gets in the way. What if we tell you that we can combine these two things for you so that while you enjoy the taste of sweetness in your mouth, you end up losing weight? Honey is the answer, in case you are wondering!
According to the National Honey Board, honey is fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free, and hence, rightly called nature's sweet nectar. But, can you really lose weight with honey? It is believed that drinking warm water with honey along with a tinge of lime early in the morning could be an effective anti-cellulite treatment, as it helps to increase body's metabolism. But, with 64 calories per tablespoon, how can honey help you shed those extra pounds?
(Also Read: 11 Amazing Benefits of Honey For Weight Loss, Hair and Skin)
Honey is fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free, and hence, rightly called nature's sweet nectar.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, honey helps control your appetite. If you consume honey before bed, your body begins to burn more fat during those early hours of sleep. You can even take a step further and replace all refined sugar in your diet with honey in order to re-balance the brain signal that compels you to consume more sweets.
Experts suggest to kick-start your day by adding a spoonful of honey and lemon juice (from half a lemon) to a cup of warm water. Not only does honey and lemon potion helps in weight loss, but also improves the immunity.
Honey With Lemon For Weight Loss
Drink this cleansing tonic before breakfast to reap the benefits. Dr. Sapna V Roshni, Dermatologist, Cocoona Centre of Aesthetic Transformation, says, "In India, many people start their day with a warm cup of water mixed with honey and lemon in order to lose weight. Now, honey and lemon are both popularly recognised for their many health benefits. Honey is a powerhouse of antioxidants and flavonoids that help boost one's immunity. It has a low glycaemic index, and hence, does not contribute to calories. Lemon is a very rich source of vitamin C and works as a detoxifying agent. The pectin fibres present in lemon slow down the digestion of sugars and starches, and improve gut health." Experts say that this potion cleanses the colon, and flushes out undigested food and other toxins from the body, improving overall digestion, which further helps in weight loss.
(Also Read: Honey, Lemon and Water: Urban Myth or Miracle Potion?)
Honey And Lemon Potion Helps In Weight Loss
The other interesting and healthy way of consuming honey is by adding a pinch of cinnamon to it. For those who don't prefer lemon early in the morning because it makes your teeth jittery, there is a more soothing potion, which serves just right.
Honey With Cinnamon To Lose Weight
Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Coach, Shilpa Arora says, "Raw honey is a great substitute for sugar.It is excellent if combined with cinnamon as both ingredients complement each other.They control sugar spikes by reducing triglycerides (type of fat in the blood) and are a good option for the ones who want to lose weight. Both honey and cinnamon are anti-inflammatory. They help combat allergies and boost your immunity system."
(Also Read: Honey With Warm Milk: A Toxic Combination?)
Honey And Cinnamon Are Anti-Inflammatory
Shilpa suggests that one could even consume honey and cinnamon water first thing in the morning to lose weight. Take one teaspoon of honey and one fourth teaspoon of cinnamon in one glass of water every day. Drink this potion 30 minutes before breakfast on empty stomach and at night before sleeping to lose those few extra pounds.
(Also Read: 6 Amazing Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon)
If you are acidic or allergic to lemon or honey, do not consume before consulting a specialist. Also, if you are watching your weight, don't forget to count the calories from honey because honey is a source of sugar and while it clearly has a lot of health benefits over refined sugar, it is sugar nonetheless.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.