5 Simple Ways To Use Honey For Weight Loss
Get your facts right before including this liquid gold in your diet and wellness routine.
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Drinking honey and warm water for weight loss is your sure shot way to a slimmer body. The antioxidants in honey help flush out toxins, and its antibacterial properties protect the body from infections.
You can drink this mixture first thing in the morning. You may also rev it up with lemon juice or add honey to your cup of green tea to lose weight. But, is honey good for weight loss? Does it cause any side effects?
TriviaRead on to know how warm water and honey aid weight loss and learn more about their benefits.
In This Article
How To Use Honey For Weight Loss
Honey is a natural sweetener and may also help you lose weight. Scroll down to check out a few ways you can make it a part of your weight loss journey.
1. Honey And Lemon For Weight Loss
This is one of the most popular remedies to lose weight naturally. Mixing lemon and honey creates an effective and easy DIY detoxification drink to lose weight, that also provides the necessary hydration to your body.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of organic honey
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 300 ml of water
- Grated ginger (optional)
- Black salt (to taste)
How To Prepare
- Heat the water in a pan, but do not bring it to a boil.
- If you overheat the water, set it aside to cool down a bit.
- Stir in the organic honey, lemon, grated ginger, and black salt.
- Your detox drink is ready to serve.
Benefits For Weight LossA study conducted by the San Diego State University on rats has suggested that honey may reduce weight gain and obesity (1).
Lemon is also effective in detoxifying your body to aid weight loss. A study on the lemon diet for weight loss showed positive results and improved insulin resistance in premenopausal women (2). However, these results cannot be generalized to the general population.
2. Milk With Honey For Weight Loss
If you love milk, you can enjoy it with a tablespoon of organic honey to lose weight.
Ingredients
- A glass of milk
- 1 tablespoon of organic honey
How To Prepare
- Boil the milk, then let it cool down to a lukewarm temperature.
- You can boil it with bay leaves and cardamom to enhance its taste.
- Add honey and stir it well.
Benefits For Weight Loss
A cup of whole milk contains 7.69 g of protein (3). Protein intake boosts metabolism, increases satiety, reduces belly fat, and lowers blood pressure (4). Adding honey to it can accelerate this process.
3. Honey With Warm Water For Weight Loss
You can even enjoy honey with warm water to reduce weight.
Ingredients
- A glass of lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoon organic honey
How To Prepare
- Heat a glass of water and heat it to a lukewarm temperature.
- Mix a tablespoon of organic honey and drink it while it is still warm.
Benefits For Weight Loss
A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that drinking more water increases thermogenesisi The metabolic process of heat production in warm-blooded animals, including humans, to produce energy. , which reduces body weight and body mass index and improves the body composition of people who are overweight (5). Hence, drinking warm honey water may help with weight loss.
A blogger shared their experience of unintentionally losing weight by consuming hot water with honey to relieve throat irritation. They said, “It happened inadvertently, by the way, I was consuming hot water with honey as a cure to throat irritation (used to happen in the morning, as a result of sinus problem) and the weight got reduced on its own (i).” They mentioned that after regularly drinking this mixture for over a month, they noticed a visible reduction in weight.
4. Green Tea With Honey
If you are a tea lover but worried about gaining weight, green tea is a healthy beverage that you can enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 teaspoon organic honey
- A cup of water
How To Prepare
- Boil a cup of water.
- Steep the teabag in the water for 1-2 minutes.
- Mix in a teaspoon of honey once the tea cools down to room temperature.
Quick TipBenefits For Weight Loss
Many studies have concluded that drinking green tea can help reduce body weight if you are consistent with the habit (6). Adding honey to it further increases metabolism and accelerates weight loss.
5. Cinnamon And Honey For Weight Loss
Many health experts recommend the use of cinnamon and honey for weight loss. This natural remedy is an effective way to achieve your weight loss goals.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon honey
How To Prepare
- Boil the water.
- Put the cinnamon stick in a teapot and pour the boiling water into it.
- Let the water steep for about 10 minutes.
- Discard the cinnamon stick and mix in the honey in the water.
- Drink hot.
Benefits For Weight LossA study conducted at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences found that cinnamon supplementation helps reduce fat mass and is, therefore, an effective weight-reducing supplement
(7).
Still wondering how honey aids weight loss. Scroll down to the next section to find out more.
Benefits Of Honey For Weight Loss
- Honey is loaded with vitamins and minerals that help increase energy and boost immunity (8), (9). This could help you stay active and work out more.
- Honey helps boost metabolism, which increases fat burning. A study conducted on rats showed that honey may help reduce weight gain and obesity (10).
- Honey is said to have a low glycemic indexi A rating system for foods based on their carbohydrate content and how quickly they spike one’s blood sugar level upon consumption. due to its high fructose content (11). A study conducted on people with diabetes found that natural honey consumption led to a decrease in their body weight. However, the researchers recommended people with diabetes to exercise caution when consuming honey as it can also cause a significant increase in hemoglobin A(1C) levels (12).
- Another study conducted on rats fed a high-fat diet found that Malaysian honey can reduce weight gain and control obesity regulating lipid metabolism (13).
- Honey acts as a prebiotic that clears your digestive tract and removes toxic wastes from the body (14).
Honey consumption was also found to lower the fat percentage in rats. Thus, it may help prevent the diseases associated with metabolic syndromei It occurs when a group of conditions including high blood pressure and excess body fat increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertensioni A chronic condition in which the flow of blood against the arterial walls is higher than normal. Also known as high blood pressure. (15).
According to a survey conducted on 487 participants where 57% were women and 43% were men. The age breakdown was: 18-30 years old (43.1%), 31-45 years old (26.7%), 46-60 years old (18%), and older (12.2%). It was found that honey is commonly used for cooking, with less than 1% of respondents not using it for this purpose. 42.9% of respondents use honey for cosmetic reasons, while 79% of respondents use it for medicinal purposes.
As you can see, honey can help you manage your weight. Here are a few ways to incorporate honey into your diet.
Other Ways To Use Honey
We already know that honey can be added to warm water to help with weight loss. However, here are some more ways to use honey:
- Cut an apple into slices and dip them in honey.
- If you want a quick treat before heading out for the day, slice an apple. Then, sprinkle a few tablespoons of honey and a dash of cinnamon powder on the slices.
- Granola and honey serves as a healthy breakfast option or evening snack. All you need to do is mix yogurt with a few spoons of honey, a couple of spoons of lemon juice, and half a cup of granola. This breakfast option is nutritious and rich in fiber.
Honey with warm water is effective for weight loss and boosting metabolism. But at the same time, you should be aware of some precautions while using it.
Precautions
- Though honey is considered to be an anti-diabetic agent and has better glycemic control compared to sugar, using it cautiously is key if you have fluctuating glucose levels (16).
- Honey is high in calories (8). This could overpower the amount of nutrition it provides. Therefore, measure the amount of honey you add to warm water carefully to regulate the calorie content.
There are several ways to use honey for weight loss. One of the most common of those is consuming it with warm water. However, it may cause some side effects. Let’s take a look at them below.
Side Effects Of Honey With Warm Water
Research on rats shows that heating honey produces hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde (HMF), an organic compound, that may cause harmful effects (17). While more human studies are warranted in this regard, ensure that the water is not too hot when you mix honey in it.
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that intake of honey and warm water in excess may cause abdominal pain and bloating in some people.
Infographic: 5 Simple Ways To Use Honey For Weight Loss
If you are looking for a healthier and easier way to shed those extra pounds, you have come to the right place. Honey’s natural ability to burn fat can aid in weight loss. Read on to learn more about the five simple ways to use honey to lose weight in the infographic below! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Honey is one of the best alternatives to table sugar to sweeten your meals without resorting to empty calories. Honey has various beneficial properties besides being a rich source of vitamins and minerals. To get the most of its benefits, you can drink honey and warm water for weight loss every morning on an empty stomach. In addition, you can also add honey to a meal of granola and yogurt or simple dip apple slices in it for a quick treat. There is substantial evidence to suggest that honey can improve metabolism and facilitate weight loss when consumed in moderation, to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink warm water with honey at night?
Yes, it has the same calorie-burning effect as in the morning. However, certain Ayurvedic principles advise not to use honey in any heated form.
Does honey in cold water increase weight?
No. You can use honey in place of sugar in cold water infusions. However, it is still high in calories, and overconsumption of honey-sweetened beverages may lead to weight gain over time.
Is honey good for skin?
Yes. Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is good for the skin. It also helps minimize the appearance of scars and marks.
Does honey expire?
Pure, unadulterated honey doesn’t expire or spoil if stored properly. It may crystallize in cold temperatures. However, if it has a visible mold or smells different, then it must have been contaminated and should not be used further.
Is raw honey better?
Yes, raw honey has maximum nutritional benefits as pasteurization may alter the composition.
Should I refrigerate honey?
No, it is best kept at room temperature to void any solidification.
Key Takeaways
- Honey is a natural sweetener rich in antioxidants.
- Consuming honey mixed with warm water on an empty stomach helps improve metabolism and digestion.
- Drinking green tea mixed with honey can help reduce body weight and increase metabolism.
- Honey contains lots of vitamins and minerals that help increase energy and boost immunity.
Illustration: Simple Ways To Use Honey For Weight Loss
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
Start your day off right with some delicious honey. Watch this video to learn how taking it daily can help you lose weight and prevent obesity.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
(i) How I reduced weight using honey and hot water?https://thewisdomtribune.wordpress.com/2019/01/15/how-i-reduced-weight-using-honey-and-hot-water/
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.
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310307// - Kim, Mi Joung et al. “Lemon detox diet reduced body fat insulin resistance and serum hs-CRP level without hematological changes in overweight Korean women. ” Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) vol. 355 (2015): 409-20. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2015.04.001
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25912765/ - US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. “Nutritive value of milk, whole”.
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025876/ - Mousavi, Seyed Mohammad et al. “Cinnamon supplementation positively affects obesity: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)vol. 39,1 (2020): 123-133. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2019.02.017
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