Specific benefits of lemon water during fasting
What are the real benefits of drinking lemon water for people following a fast?
When you fast, uric acid rises in your body, it is a great antioxidant, but it can be a cause of kidney stones. Lemon juice helps alkaline pH levels in the urine, which prevents the formation of kidney stones (6, 7).
First of all, good hydration prevents you from kidney stones formation, the second citrate in lemon stops calcium from binding with oxalates which you consume with food and this protects you from a buildup of minerals that collect in the kidneys (8).
What you need to know about lemon water and intermittent fasting
1. High temperatures destroy Vitamin C. If you want to keep the benefits of this vitamin, drink warm (lower than 30 degrees Celsius) or cold lemon water.
2. Don’t drink more than a glass of lemon water a day to prevent unhealthy PH changes in your body fluids.
3. You can add a dash of salt in your lemon water to prevent headache and muscle weakness on fasting.
4. You can use lime as well as lemon.
5. Lemon water can help you to accomplish water fasting only by having a slight change in the taste of plain water.
The bottom line
Lemon water is not only refreshing and pleasant drink to taste, but it also has various health benefits. Drinking lemon water can help detoxify the liver and flush out toxins from the body. It also helps with weight loss and lowers inflammation.
It is a great way to prevent kidney stones. There are many other liquids that you can consume during intermittent fasting, read our article about them “What can you Drink during Intermittent Fasting ?” (9).
FAQs
Does Lemon Water Break a Fast? - WeFast? ›
Long story short - the answer to the question “Does lemon water break a fast?” is no, lemon water does not break a fast. Lemon water contains almost no calories and zero sugars, it doesn't raise insulin levels, which means it will not break your fast (1).
Is it OK to drink lemon water while fasting? ›In summary, drinking lemon water during your fasting period will not break your fast, and it may even have some added benefits for digestion and Vitamin C intake.
Does lemon water interrupt intermittent fasting? ›Plain lemon water with only lemon juice is also allowed when following the intermittent fasting method. The drink contains almost zero calories and does not break your fast. Having one or two glasses of lemon drink, when following intermittent fasting can also help you burn fat and curb hunger.
How much lemon juice won't break a fast? ›This means using one full lemon will break a fast. However, if you drop the amount of lemon juice used to 1/4 of a lemon or less, then this brings the carbohydrates down to less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, making it a good option during the fast.
Can I drink lemon water with honey during intermittent fasting? ›Can I have honey lemon water during intermittent fasting? Lemon water with honey is a popular drink choice given its numerous health benefits. However, if you're following a 14/10 intermittent fasting routine, you may be wondering if it's allowed. Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Does lemon water flush out sugar? ›Drinking a citrus-flavoured drink has been shown to have positive effects on blood sugar levels. In addition to preventing dehydration it can help the kidneys flush out extra sugar in the blood. Otherwise, mounting blood sugar levels – an indicator of type 2 diabetes – could increase stroke risk.
Does lemon water spike insulin? ›So that is the good news! Lemon water will not spike your insulin, it will not break your fast, instead it will do the OPPOSITE!
Does lemon water stop ketosis? ›Lemons should not affect ketosis as they are low in carbohydrates and sugar. However, it is imperative to remember that everyone's body reacts differently to various foods. Some individuals may be more susceptible to specific foods than others.
Does lemon and cucumber water break intermittent fasting? ›The short answer is no. Many people believe that adding lemon juice to water can potentially break their fast because of the calories it contains, but this is not the case. Lemon juice consists mainly of citric acid and natural sugars, which have very few calories—only about 2-4 per tablespoon.
Will 5 calories break a fast? ›As previously stated, any amount of calories will, technically, break your fast. Even foods with extremely low calories, like celery, still contain fiber and other nutrients that could potentially trigger your body's digestive process.
Will 15 calories break a fast? ›
Strictly speaking, any amount of calories will break a fast. If a person follows a strict fasting schedule, they should avoid any food or drinks containing calories. Those following a modified fasting diet can often eat up to 25% of their daily calorie needs while fasting.
Can 10 calories break a fast? ›Summary. Consuming any calories breaks a fast. However, research has shown that some mechanisms behind fasting's benefits, like ketosis, remain active with the consumption of a few certain macronutrients.
Can you have lemon or lime while fasting? ›Like apple cider vinegar, lemons and limes do contain calories but having lemon or lime in your water will NOT break your fast! Lemons and limes can help speed up your metabolism and help keep you feeling full!
Does apple cider vinegar break your fast? ›One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar contains about 3 calories and less than 1 gram of carbs. Therefore, it's unlikely that it would affect your fast — unless you took it in large quantities, which can be unsafe ( 2 ). Taking apple cider vinegar while fasting seems to help fight cravings and hunger pangs.
How much weight can you lose in a month on intermittent fasting? ›How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Month With Intermittent Fasting? Adults can lose anywhere between 0.55 to 1.65 pounds per week (or 0.25 to 0.75 kg) while intermittent fasting. That's pretty fast! It's no crash diet, either, and is healthy if complemented with a proper diet, healthy habits, and exercise.
Does Coke Zero break a fast? ›Technically speaking, soft drinks such as Coca Cola Zero do not break the fast because they have no calories, although many experts indicate that if our goal with intermittent fasting is to lose weight, these soft drinks can have a rebound effect.
What happens when we drink lemon water in empty stomach? ›In addition, doing it on an empty stomach favours the hydration of the body after having been many hours without hydrating during the night. "It improves intestinal transit and hydrates the colon," says Parada, which is why taking it on an empty stomach can help with constipation.
Can you drink lemon and cucumber water while fasting? ›Lemon and cucumber water provides a refreshing way to stay hydrated, with the added benefit of essential nutrients. As an intermittent fasting-friendly drink (free from added sugar!), it's worth checking in with your doctor before enjoying this hydrating beverage during a fasted state.
What can you drink during fasting? ›Beverages that you can drink while intermittent fasting includes water, mineral water, seltzer, tea, coffee, apple cider vinegar, and flavored water. Drinks that you should avoid while fasting include alcohol, diet sodas, coconut water, and milk.