UPDATE: |Drink made with 15p kitchen staple can ‘help with weight loss and high cholesterol’ News

Nutritionist Dr Eric Berg says the drink which is easy to make at home has ‘remarkable health advantages’

Health experts have suggested a simple yet effective drink that could significantly boost your well-being. Doctors claim adding slices of lemon to a glass of water can provide striking health advantages, from reducing high cholesterol and helping with fatty liver to potentially aiding in weight loss.

Lemons are readily available at supermarkets, and you won’t have to break the bank to enjoy these benefits. Aldi is currently selling unwaxed lemons for just 15p each.

In an informative YouTube video, Dr Eric Berg DC outlines the multiple health perks associated with drinking lemon-water daily. With an impressive audience of 12 million subscribers on his channel, Dr Berg specialises in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting and shares his expertise through online videos.

Describing lemon water as both “refreshing and delicious”, Dr Berg insists on its “remarkable health advantages.”

He further notes: “This is particularly true when combined with a healthy keto diet and intermittent fasting.”, reports Surrey Live.

What drinking lemon water can do at a glance

• Help in lowering the risk of cancer
• Provide essential phytonutrients
• Decrease liver fat
• Minimise kidney stone formation
• Lower high cholesterol levels
• Combat signs of ageing
• Aid in weight loss

To make lemon water, you can either add fresh slices into a glass or mix the juice of between one and three lemons in water. Consider adding lemon juice to your daily routine as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Dr Berg elaborates on his initial claim that lemon water may help diminish fatty liver, attributing this effect to the phytonutrients found in lemon water, which can significantly enhance a condition known as hepatic steatosis. He further inquires: “What exactly does hepatic steatosis refer to?”

“It means the infiltration of fat into the liver, so hepatic steatosis means a fatty liver. Lemon water has the ability to dissolve the fat in the liver. There’s other things as well, like purify bile salts and choline.” Choline helps your liver, brain and cells, and drives the way your body uses fats.

He added: “A low-fat diet, as in a ketogenic diet, can also reduce up to 50 of the fat in your liver within 14 days. But if you add a little lemon to your water you can actually speed things up.”

Although evidence that lemon water directly decreases cholesterol levels is limited, certain studies indicate that compounds found in lemons, such as limonin, could potentially lower LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides. It’s essential to keep in mind that lemon water should be incorporated into a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle rather than being relied upon as the only solution for high cholesterol.

Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which can support heart health. Additionally, they provide a healthy amount of soluble fibre that may assist in reducing overall cholesterol levels.

When it comes to reducing high cholesterol levels, Dr Berg explained that if your liver and gallbladder are not functioning optimally and bile production is insufficient, it can lead to a buildup in your system. He suggests that lemon water can enhance bile flow through the bile ducts, aiding in the elimination of excess cholesterol that may be accumulating.

Additionally, the health expert notes that consuming a daily glass of lemon water might also indirectly contribute to weight loss. “Lemon water does not directly help you lose weight, it can indirectly help you lose weight,” he said.

“Certain phytonutrients in lemon water significantly lower blood sugars and reduce insulin resistance. And that is the reason why someone can lose weight. In fact, if you really want to know how to lose weight, what I would do is not try to research ‘how to lose weight’, I would research how to lower insulin.

“Anything that lowers insulin is going to help you lose weight. It’s impossible for a fat cell to shrink without lowering insulin despite your calories.”

Dr Berg points out that research conducted on animals suggests that consuming lemon water may contribute to a longer lifespan and combat the effects of ageing. In one particular study, animals that were given lemon water for five weeks lived an additional three weeks.

“You might think, ‘that’s not a significant amount of time,’ but remember, that was just five weeks,” he told viewers. “Imagine if you incorporated lemon water into your daily routine for the entirety of your life; those weeks could really accumulate.” The study also revealed that lemon water promotes the longevity of beneficial gut bacteria, which Dr Berg finds ‘quite fascinating’.

Lemon water may possess anti-cancer properties, too. “I’m not claiming that lemon water will cure cancer, but it’s a beneficial addition that may help inhibit its growth,” the expert said. “In laboratory studies, certain phytonutrients found in lemon water have been shown to eliminate malignant cells in the tongue, lungs, and colon.”

Dr Berg later discussed the benefits of lemon juice in preventing kidney stones. He shared: “The citrate found in lemon juice interacts with oxalate, a key component in the most prevalent type of kidney stones—calcium oxalate stones. By having citrate in your system, it can effectively bind with oxalates, thereby reducing the likelihood of stone formation.”

Lemons are rich in phytonutrients, which are natural compounds that help shield plants from various threats, such as germs, fungi, and insects. According to Dr Berg, these phytonutrients can also alleviate several human health issues, including haemorrhoids, leg ulcers, circulation problems, spider veins, and varicose veins.

“One particular phytonutrient, naringin, is currently under investigation as a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease,” he said. “It also exhibits strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.”

Lemon water alone is not a comprehensive solution for high cholesterol and shouldn’t be considered the only treatment option. It’s important to seek guidance from a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for tailored recommendations on cholesterol management.

A diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while reducing your intake of saturated and trans fats helps support healthy cholesterol levels and overall well-being. Engaging in regular physical activity, keeping a healthy weight, and steering clear of smoking are vital steps in managing cholesterol and many other health conditions effectively.

Mistakes people make when having lemon juice:

In a separate video, Dr Beg lists four mistakes people should avoid when drinking lemon juice. The first was ‘drinking it right before a meal’, as he says you should have lemon water at least 30 minutes before you eat.

His second point was not diluting it enough with water, or using a straw. This reduces the level of acidity, which could harm your teeth. If you have alkalosis, the doctor says lemon juice can worsen the symptoms.

People who have an ulcer or gastritis should avoid lemon water as Dr Berg warns lemon water may cause a burning sensation in this situation. “Avoid anything acidic if you have an ulcer or inflammation in the stomach”, he explained.

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