Fasting has been a tradition in many cultures, both for physical and spiritual reasons, for thousands of years. But, the idea that you can flush out fat and stimulate weight loss by only ingesting certain things and avoiding all others is fairly new. Lemon juice fasts and olive oil flushes have been around forever, and while both lemon juice and olive oil have definite health benefits, their effects on weight loss are more subtle than you might think.
Procedure
There is no definitive recipe for a lemon juice and olive oil drink that supposedly facilitates weight loss, but most of them are similar to the ones suggested at sites like Peak Health Now. Generally, the juice of a lemon is mixed with water, then olive oil is added, and the drink is whirled in a blender or food processor to mix everything thoroughly. Some enthusiasts add pink grapefruit and garlic.
Lemon Juice
Lemons are high in vitamin C and loaded with antioxidants, which fight the free radicals that have been tentatively linked to some cancers and certain complications of aging. Vitamin C is also known to support your immune system and liver health. A 2008 study published in "The Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition" suggests that lemon polyphenols have some effect in inhibiting weight gain and fat accumulation in people who eat a high-fat diet. But simply drinking lemon juice is not enough to cause noticeable weight loss unless you stick to a dangerously low-calorie diet.
Olive Oil
Olive oil contains unsaturated fats, which are better for your heart than animal fats. According to researchers at Brown University, consuming two tablespoons per day of olive oil can help regulate insulin levels and lower blood pressure. But, olive oil -- like most oils -- can have a laxative effect, especially when ingested all at once rather than drizzled over a salad or used as an ingredient in recipes.
Expert Insight
Extreme measures for weight loss, unless they are done under the supervision of a doctor, are not safe, healthy or effective. According to the experts at Fort Valley State University, one of the main problems with fasting for weight loss is that your body will not only burn fat, it will consume lean muscle tissue. And since your body will adapt to a loss of essential nutrients, fasting will simply slow your metabolism, which means that the minute you go back to solid food, you'll gain back any weight you might have lost.
Warning
Any very restrictive diet, like drinking olive oil and lemon juice to lose weight, denies your body the nutrients it requires to function properly. This can lead to malnutrition. Any regimen that has a laxative effect also means that you are risking dehydration or laxative dependency.
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