what is lemon water | Benefits | Does Lemon Water Break A Fast | Alternatives
Does Lemon water break a fast? let’s find out…..Fasting used to be limited to just religious and cultural practices not long ago. However, with the introduction of intermittent fasting, it has become a lifestyle for many. For this reason, it’s essential to know what is right or wrong to consume while fasting.
Does Lemon Water Break a Fast?
In simple words NO, but anything with calories can break a fast. However, sometimes beverages with a very low number of calories can be consumed. Since lemon water only has around 11-30 calories per glass, you could drink it while fasting. But there are some variable we will touch on.
To find out more, keep reading!
What Is Lemon Water?
Many people ask, does lemon water break a fast? To answer this, we must first understand what lemon water is.
Lemon water is water infused with the citrus juice of lemon or lime. It can vary in terms of concentration, depending on how much citrus infusion is added to the water. The more the citrus infusion, the more concentrated the water will be, which means the lemon’s taste will be more detectable.
There are many different methods of how this liquid drink is ingested; most vary from one geographical location to the other. Some people like to warm the water before mixing the lemon juice and having it in the morning. Others decide to add some ice for a cooling effect to beat the heat.
Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
Drinking lemon water while intermittent fasting has numerous benefits that can help improve your overall health and weight loss journey. One of the most significant benefits of lemon water is its high concentration of vitamin C. Adding lemon to your water can help meet your daily vitamin C requirement, which is essential for a healthy immune system. This is particularly important during your fasting period, when your body is not receiving nutrients from food, and your immune system may be weaker than usual.
Lemon water can also help regulate insulin levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When insulin levels are high, the body is more likely to store fat. By regulating insulin levels, lemon water can help your body burn fat and maintain a healthy weight. Improving insulin sensitivity is also beneficial because it allows your body to use insulin more effectively, which can help prevent diseases like type 2 diabetes. It can also help with the removal of free radicals.
Citric acid is another key component of lemon water that provides numerous health benefits. Citric acid has been shown to improve digestion, promote healthy skin, and reduce inflammation. Additionally, citric acid can help the body absorb nutrients more efficiently. This is especially important during your fasting period when your body needs to make the most of the nutrients it receives.
In summary, drinking lemon water while intermittent fasting can help boost your immune system, regulate insulin levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and provide your body with essential nutrients like vitamin C and citric acid. It’s important to remember that while lemon water can provide these benefits, it is not a miracle cure for weight loss or other health issues. It’s essential to maintain a balanced and healthy diet and exercise regularly to achieve optimal health and well-being.
Lemons have a high level of Vitamin C, which has multiple health benefits such as protection against colds, various immune system deficiencies, skin wrinkling, and eye diseases, among other such notable health issues. Vitamin C is also present in other citrus fruits, such as oranges.
Does Lemon Water Break A Fast?
So, what’s the story behind drinking lemon water while fasting? First, it’s important to remember that you can continue to have water in the fasted state or fasting period since it’s zero calories, and it’s important to stay hydrated! It is recommended to drink 8-12 ounces of water with lemon per serving. You can also drink lemon water during periods of eating with no side effects.
Water is essential in intermittent fasting because it’s a hydrator, a cleanser, and can boost metabolism. Water is a vital source of nutrition that the body needs to function properly. It also provides a cushion for joints, such as knees and elbows, and is thus a source of protection.
But what happens when you add lemon to your water?
You may be wondering, does lemon water break a fast? Technically, it does, because anything that contains calories breaks a fast.
However, if you’re asking can I drink lemon water while fasting? Yes, you can!
Despite the fact that it contains calories, lemon water only has approximately 11 – 30 calories per glass, which does not defeat the purpose of intermittent fasting. Hence, lemon water can be consumed during a fast. This is great news for those of us who love to add a citric note to our drinks. Does lemon water break a fast, no it does not if in moderation. Fasting with lemon water is an awesome option during your intermittent fast.
Lemon Water Alternatives
Since lemon water has a very low-calorie count, you can consume it during your fasting period without worrying about the effectiveness of your fast.
Here is a list of What you can drink during intermittent fasting.
Just like lemon water, there are a few other beverages that are just as low when it comes to the calorie intake:
- Green Tea or Herbal Tea: this drink isn’t just low in calories (around 2-3 calories per cup); it also suppresses hunger and decreases cholesterol!
- Coffee: we mean plain black coffee, not a latte or cappuccino! Plain black coffee won’t break your fast and will give you the energy to fight fasting fatigue.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This has been shown that 1-2 Tablespoons a day can help stop food cravings, acid reflux, help with immunity and much more.
- Salt Water: adding salt to a glass of water won’t break your fast and can help you fight headaches and fatigue.
- Cucumber Water: just like adding lemon to your water won’t break your fast, neither will putting a few slices of cucumber in your glass of water. Or just plain water as well!
Intermittent fasting is more than just fasting; it’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle that allows you to reach your health goals. Most people find this technique of fasting to be very beneficial because it’s not too strict. You can set your own hours and consume zero or low-calorie drinks, such as lemon water.
Just remember, the next time you’re feeling thirsty during your fast, get yourself a glass of lemon water! Now that you know that lemon water doesn’t break a fast, you can enjoy the many health benefits that lemon water has to offer while fasting.
Conclusion – Does Lemon water break a fast
There are lots of options when having a beverage during an intermittent fast. Yes, Lemon water is safe with a small amount of lemon juice by itself. Enjoy yourself, and drink some of the intermittent fasting beverages.
If you’ve been practicing intermittent fasting for a while or just starting out, you can also try out our 21-day intermittent fasting challenge.
I recommend starting here to learn more about these types of fasting which are the MOST popular, starting with 16/8 Fasting, click on these guides below to learn more:
16/8 Fasting Guide, 14/10 Fasting Guide, 18/6 Fasting Guide, One Meal a Day Guide.
