Does Drinking Lemon Water Help You Lose Weight?

In a country where high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and beverages are abundant and cheap, losing weight or maintaining a healthful weight is challenging in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overweight and obese individuals have a higher risk for a number of health complications, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stroke. Drinking more water is one of the most effective and beneficial ways to shed some extra pounds and improve your overall health.

Increase Water Consumption

In a study published by the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, 173 overweight women between the ages of 25 and 50 years old were encouraged to increase their overall water consumption. Their body weight, body fat percentage and waist circumference were measured before beginning the study and again at 2, 6 and 12 months. The results showed that independent of diet and exercise habits, increased water consumption was associated with weight loss and a decrease in body fat.

Replace Sugary Beverages

Another study performed by the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute shows that replacing sweetened caloric beverages with water lowers total caloric intake. The results of the clinical trial showed that "replacing sweetened caloric beverages with drinking water was associated with significant decreases in total energy intake that were sustained over time." The same effect is not achieved when sweetened caloric beverages are replaced with diet, or noncaloric, sweetened beverages because the calories avoided with the diet drink are generally consumed in a larger portioned meals and snacks.

Reusable Water Bottles

Purchase a fun, reusable water bottle to motivate and remind you to drink more water. Take it with you wherever you go and keep it full. Not only will it help you increase your water consumption, but it will stop scores of plastic bottles from entering your local dump.

Lemon Optional

No scientific evidence suggests that drinking water with lemon is more effective for weight loss than consuming plain drinking water. If you don't particularly like the taste of water, you can add lemon slices to make it more appealing. You can also add slices of lime, tangerine, cucumber or watermelon for a hint of flavor. Fruits such as lemon, lime and tangerine contain high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants, and in turn they are a healthful addition to your glass of water.

Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is a serious condition that can result from excessive water consumption in a short period of time and in turn dramatically decreased sodium levels. When the sodium levels decrease in the body fluid surrounding cells, water then transfers into the cells to regain a balance. As the cells take on more water they expand, however, brain cells have no room to expand because of the skull. Brain swelling due to hyponatremia can result in headache, fatigue, confusion, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, decreased consciousness and even death. Hyponatremia is rare in non-athletes and will not occur unless very large quantities of water, such as 2 liters or more, are consumed in a short period of time, according to MedlinePlus.