The online buzz around rice water and lemon being hailed as a new weight loss miracle is hard to ignore.
The combination has quickly become a viral sensation, with some users claiming impressive weight loss results while others remain skeptical.
So, does this popular combination really deliver the magic?
The Kenya Times has consulted certified Clinical Nutritionists to break this down for you, and hopefully help you figure out whether to try it or not. Let’s dive into the facts and find out.”
How Rice Water and Lemon Mixture is Made
First, let’s get into what the mixture is made of.
To make rice water, take three tablespoons of white rice and two cups of water. You can increase this quantity based on this proportion.
Let this mixture soak overnight or until the water turns milky to your liking. Strain the milky water and strain a fresh lemon to it.
The amount of lemon used also depends on your liking and the amount of rice water. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for one week.
Also Read: How Much is Too Much Alcohol to Consume
Nutritionist Explain Whether the Mixture Works or not
Rice Water
According to Clinical Nutritionist Betty Okere, Rice water does not directly help in weight loss as it only contains starch.
However, drinking rice water promotes a feeling of fullness, which results in lesser calorie consumption in a day. This can eventually help with weight loss.
“People who drink it are doing so and reducing hunger. If you drink water before you eat, you will eat less food because you will feel full. There is no nutritional value in the water,” she said.
At the same time, Nutritionist Rose Etale reiterated that rice water may not have much nutritional value to the body, adding that much of the nutrients from rice are gotten from actually consuming the rice.
“Rice water by itself has little to no nutritive value because most of the nutrients in rice are gotten from the starch in rice itself,” she said.
Also Read: Diet Tips: What You Should Know Before Eating Matumbo
Lemons
On the other hand, she has explained that lemon is a vitamin C and fiber rich food. Consequently, it has the ability to increase metabolism, enabling the body to burn fats faster.
However, Etale noted that no one particular nutrient can cause massive weight loss, adding that it is important to consult with a nutritionist before choosing to go on a diet to get better results.
“There is no one particular drug or nutrient that can work its miracle in the body. Lemon has its ability to boost metabolism, meaning that your rate of burning fat is increased.
“If you take it routinely over a certain period of time, you can lose some weight,” she explained.
Moreover, Okere warned that taking too much lemon over a long period of time can cause inflammation on the lining of the stomach, causing more harm than good.
“I do not know how much lemon people are consuming but it can also cause cases of gastritis.”
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