4 Simple Lemon Tea Recipes For Weight Loss + The Benefits

Flush out the toxins and shed those extra pounds by drinking this detoxifying tea.

Medically reviewed by Madhu Sharma, RD Madhu Sharma Madhu SharmaRD
Written by Priyanka Sadhukhan, MSc (Nutrition), CDE Priyanka Sadhukhan MSc (Nutrition), CDE linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Fact-checked by Himanshi Mahajan, BSc (Life Sciences), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach Himanshi Mahajan BSc (Life Sciences), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
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Using lemon tea for weight loss is fast gaining popularity. This organic tea is a rich source of nutrition, including vitamin C, is low in calories, and kick-starts your metabolism (1).

Its tangy taste and citrusy aroma also help calm your nerves and induce relaxation. The antioxidants in the tea help flush out toxins and reduce inflammation.

However, preparing it right is the only way you can get to enjoy its benefits. Continue reading to learn more about lemon tea for weight loss, how it works, and its preparation method.

Lemon Tea Recipes For Weight Loss

1. Regular Lemon Tea

Regular lemon tea for weight loss
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients:
  • ½ tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon tea (powdered)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups water
Directions:
  1. Add the water to a pan and boil it.
  2. Now, add the tea powder and let the water simmer for a minute.
  3. Take the pan off the heat and add the lemon juice and sugar.
  4. Mix well until the sugar and lemon juice dissolve completely.
  5. Strain the tea into a cup.
  6. Serve hot.


protip_icon Quick Tip
You can use black tea or green tea powder, according to your preference.

2. Honey Lemon Tea

Honey lemon tea for weight loss
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients:
  • ½ teaspoon sugar (if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 cup water
Directions:
  1. Pour the water into a microwave-safe mug.
  2. Now, add the honey.
  3. Microwave the mug for about 2 minutes.
  4. Take the mug out of the microwave and stir in the lemon juice.
  5. Serve hot.

3. Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

Honey lemon ginger tea for weight loss
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients:
  • ½ teaspoon honey
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
  • 1 teaspoon tea leaves
Directions:
  1. Heat the water in a pan.
  2. Before the water starts bubbling, add the chopped ginger.
  3. As it boils, add the lemon juice and honey.
  4. Strain the herbal tea into a cup.
  5. Serve hot.

4. Lemon Iced Tea

Lemon iced tea for weight loss
Image: Shutterstock
Ingredients:
  • 1½ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon black tea powder or tea leaves
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice (the quantity can be adjusted as per your taste)
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Directions:
  1. Boil the water in a pan.
  2. Once it starts boiling, switch off the flame and add the tea powder/leaves.
  3. Let the tea steep for 2-3 minutes. For a stronger flavor, steep it for 4-5 minutes.
  4. Strain the tea, add lemon juice, and stir well.
  5. Add 2-3 ice cubes just before you drink it. You may also refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
protip_icon Quick Tip
You can also add mint leaves while making this tea to add some great flavor and make it more refreshing.

A cup of lemon tea should have a balance of tartness and sweetness for a refreshing flavor. Scroll down for some tips that will help you achieve this perfect balance.

Lemon Tea Preparation Tips

Here are some tips you can follow to prepare the best lemon tea:

  • Always opt for fresh lemons and high-quality tea.
  • While steeping the tea, ensure to do so only for the recommended time, as over-steeping may result in a bitter taste. Ideally, it should take 3-5 minutes for black tea and 2-3 minutes for green tea.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice just after brewing the tea to ensure the best tartness flavor.
  • If you are using a sweetener, add it to the tea while it is still warm to help it dissolve fully.
  • Consider adding a dash of cinnamon to add a touch of sweet-spicy warmth to your tea.

How To Lose Weight Using Lemon Tea

  • Lemon is low in calories, which is important for weight loss and weight management (1). This is why using lemon for weight loss is a great choice.
  • Another study conducted by the Seoul Women’s University (South Korea) showed that drinking lemon juice along with calorie restriction as a part of a detox program may help body fat burning and improve insulin resistance in premenopausal women (2).
  • A study published by the journal Molecules showed that black tea can reduce weight by regulating fat metabolism and decreasing calorie intake(by inhibiting fat and carbohydrate digestion, absorption, and intake) (3). Adding lemon juice to black tea may increase its natural effectiveness by boosting your metabolic rate and providing energy.
  • p increase metabolic rate as it induces thermogenesis. Thermogenesis helps suppress appetite and extra calorie intake (4).
  • Honey is loaded with many essential nutrients (5). It also has a low glycemic index and has proven to have anti-obesity effects when experimented on rats (6).

You can make hot or cold lemon tea easily at home to kickstart your weight loss. You can choose to make a steaming mug on a cold day or fill it with ice and enjoy lemon iced tea on a hot day for hydration boost and weight loss.

Drink 1-2 cups of lemon tea per day without sugar. Adding sugar to lemon tea increases its calorie content and is, thus, not advisable for weight loss.

Lemon tea is replete with many nutrients that make it a nourishing beverage. Learn more about its nutrition profile below.

Lemon Tea Nutrition Facts

The key ingredients in lemon tea are taken from a commercial lemon tea product that includes brewed black tea, sugar, lemon juice from concentrate, and natural flavorings (7) .

A typical 100 ml serving of lemon tea is a low-calorie option as it offers approximately 25 kcal of energy. The tea contains no protein or significant fat.

It primarily consists of carbohydrates, offering 6.67 grams per serving along with 6.25 grams of sugars (that impart the sweet taste).

It contains 4 mg of sodium per serving that contributes to its overall flavor profile.

Here are some changes you can make in your lifestyle – along with adding lemon tea to your diet – to boost your slimming journey.

Lifestyle Management To Lose Weight

A happy woman eating a delicious salad
Image: Shutterstock

Lemon tea alone cannot help you lose weight. You need to take a holistic and balanced approach to lose weight effectively.

  • Following a balanced diet and a good exercise regimen every day can provide you with the much-needed boost towards weight loss.
  • Exercise is important to burn the extra calories and keep your body healthy and fit. So, aim to work out for at least 20-25 minutes every day.
  • Choose activities that you enjoy performing. This will ensure that working out does not get mundane, and you remain motivated to achieve your goal.
  • Sleep well and practice deep breathing exercises to reduce your stress levels.
  • Lemon tea reduces the chances of unwanted weight gain by helping you lose weight sustainably, as you are not taking in any liquid calories.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Avoid drinking too much lemon tea every day as it may cause heartburn, ulcers, or acidity.

Infographic: 3 Best Lemon Tea Recipes

Preparing lemon tea is not a difficult task. You can follow the steps mentioned in the article and make it within minutes. However, drinking regular lemon tea every day could be boring. Therefore, we have focused on the best 3 lemon tea recipes that are more flavorful. Check out the infographic below to learn further.

3 best lemon tea recipes (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

While drinking lemon tea for weight loss is quite popular, there is much more to this simple drink. It not only helps improve your immune system and digestive metabolism but also aids in better kidney functioning. It is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and important minerals. Lemon tea benefits your health by helping cleanse and strengthen your system from within. Easy to prepare, you can flavor lemon tea with honey, ginger, or cinnamon to add to its many benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we drink lemon tea daily?

Yes, you can drink lemon tea every day, but limit it to 2 cups per day as the tannins in it may interfere with essential nutrient absorption. Do not drink lemon tea along with meals; drink it only between or before meals.

Is green tea or lemon tea better for weight loss?

Green tea for weight loss is a better option than lemon tea as it has more antioxidants.

Is it good to drink lemon tea at night?

It is not advisable to drink any tea at bedtime as it may interfere with your sleep cycle. Drink tea at least 5 hours before going to sleep.

Does lemon tea help you poop?

While there is a lack of direct studies suggesting that lemon water can relieve constipation, a study found that students who experienced constipation had low intake of vitamin C (among other nutrients, such as magnesium and folate) in their diet (8). Drinking lemon water may help increase the levels of vitamin C and keep the body hydrated to help soften the stool and regularize bowel movement.

Key Takeaways

  • Lemon tea comes in a variety of combinations, from regular lemon tea to honey lemon tea, honey lemon ginger tea, and lemon iced tea.
  • Lemon tea in combination with ginger can help suppress your appetite to reduce excess calorie intake.
  • It can also boost fat burning by improving insulin resistance, thereby aiding weight loss.
  • Lemon tea helps control inflammation, calms the nerves and helps flush toxins out of the body.
  • It is low in calories, primarily consisting of carbohydrates, sugars, vitamin C, and antioxidants, making it a healthy weight loss option.

Illustration: Simple Recipes To Make Lemon Tea For Weight Loss

lemon tea for weight loss_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Drinking lemon tea is an easy, delicious, and healthy way to lose weight. Watch this video to learn how to make refreshing, flavourful lemon tea at home.

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Nutritive value of Lemons, raw, without peel, FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167746/nutrients
  2. Lemon detox diet reduced body fat, insulin resistance, and serum hs-CRP level without hematological changes in overweight Korean women, Nutrition Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25912765/
  3. Mechanisms of Body Weight Reduction by Black Tea Polyphenols, Molecules, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6273558/
  4. Measuring the thermic effect of food, The American journal of clinical nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8561055/
  5. Nutritive value of Honey, FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169640/nutrients
  6. Anti-obesity effects of honey in clinical and pre-clinical studies, Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6115915/table/nutrients-10-01009-t001/
  7. [HISTORICAL RECORD]: LEMON TEA, FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/515601/nutrients
  8. Increased prevalence of constipation in pre-school children is attributable to under-consumption of plant foods: A community-based study, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17854410/
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Madhu Sharma is a member of the National Executive Committee of IDA. She has been associated for almost three decades with Pediatric Nutrition at PGI while serving in the Gastroenterology Department (20 years) and then the Advanced Pediatric Center (10 yrs) at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

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Priyanka Sadhukhan
Priyanka SadhukhanNutritionist, CDE
Priyanka is a nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Educator. She has over 8 years of experience in nutrition and dietetics with a strong research background. She is passionate about science and how it can be applied to one’s daily lifestyle.

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Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Himanshi Mahajan
Himanshi MahajanHealth & Wellness Writer
Himanshi Mahajan is a Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Guru Nanak Dev University and two years of experience in writing SEO-based and research-backed content across health and lifestyle genres.

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