Health Myths And Facts: Does Drinking Spices Soaked Water Early In The Morning Help With Weight Loss? See What experts Say

The benefits these spice-infused drinks offer depends upon the ingredient added. But, if these drinks are complemented with a healthy lifestyle, then they give you desirable results.

Does Drinking Spices Soaked Water Help With Weight Loss

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Many people suggest adding a spoonful of spice to your morning water such as jeera, cinnamon, pudina leaves, coriander leaves etc. to burn away the belly fat and vanish away the diseases. The benefits these spice-infused drinks offer depends upon the ingredient added. But if these drinks are complemented with a healthy lifestyle, that means physical activity and proper diet, then they do give you desirable results such as weight loss or raised metabolism.

In this regard, Dietician Garima Goyal said, "One thing alone cannot give you all the benefits. This means if you think having water infused with pudina leaves will improve your digestion, it will, but if you had a heavy meal last night, it won’t help much. What you need to achieve your weight-loss goals is a balance of the right diet and exercise. So, there’s no magic drink that will help you lose weight, but there are certain drinks that can definitely help you on your weight loss journey."

Sharanya S Shastry, who has an M.Sc- Dietetics and Applied Nutrition and is a Dietitian/Nutritionist at Apollo Clinic, Bengaluru said, "Spices see the traditional warriors of Indian cuisine. They have been used in for years and with every household,they change and the combinations change. When these spices, consumed in moderation ( right quantity) aids in weight loss"

Benefits Of Spice-Waters Consumed Early In The Morning:

Garima went on to list down the spice-waters that one can consume and their benefits:

1. Cinnamon water: Cinnamon, also known as dalchini, can be added to your morning glass of water to help you lose weight because this bitter-sweet tasting spice is known to regulate your blood sugar levels and boost your body’s metabolism. This spice also reduces your caloric intake as it suppresses appetite.

2. Lemon water: Lemon water is a refreshing and healthy way to start your day. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which can help to boost your metabolism, and they also contain pectin, a type of fibre that can help to curb your appetite. Drinking lemon water in the morning can help to flush out toxins and aid indigestion. The acidity of lemon can also help to alkalise your body, which can reduce bloating and inflammation.

3. Ajwain water: Carom seeds when added to your glass of warm water has been used since time immemorial by our ancestors for its medicinal advantages. It is also been given to postpartum women for its miraculous results on the belly fat post delivery. So digestion and metabolism boosting properties of this tiny spice makes it desirable.

4. Jeera water: The key ingredient of all the Indian curries, Jeera when added to water and taken on an empty stomach hells to clear the bowels out as it is a great detoxifier. Even having jeera water post a heavy meals helps you feel light. 

5. Turmeric water: Turmeric is a spice that has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with weight loss by reducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can contribute to weight gain, so reducing it can help you lose weight. Mixing turmeric powder with warm water and a bit of honey or lemon can make a tasty and healthy drink to start your day with. Turmeric water can help with digestion, boost metabolism, and also helps in reducing bloating.

6. Tulsi water: Tulsi leaves has been used since centuries for its miraculous therapeutic benefits. Tulsi has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antibiotic characteristics that keep your skin and overall body healthy while also preventing fever and colds. Tulsi water detoxifies the kidneys and works well as a cleanser. 

Benefits Of Spices When Consumed Early In The Moring:

Here are a few benefits of spices when consumed in the morning shared by Sharanya:

• Drinking spices soaked in water can prevent onset of inflammation in the body.
• They help in boosting metabolism
• Improve digestion
• Relive constipation
• They have anti inflammatory properties  antioxidants to body
• They help in reducing the cholesterol levels
• Helps in solving acidity issues
• Helps in easy breakdown of fats and carbs
• Helps in hydrating body
• Helps in improving insulin sensitivity thus helping in reducing weight,  preventing from DM

Spices To Include In Diet For Weight Loss:

Nutritionist Harleen Gill said, "In the kitchen, spices are used to add colours and enhance the taste and aroma of food. But spices also have therapeutic properties, used as a form of medicine throughout history and science is now just able to capture what spices have to offer for our health. Many spices can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite and burning more calories due to their nutritional properties."

She then went on to list the top spices that promote weight loss and boost your metabolism while making your meals more flavourful. 

1. Cinnamon - It has several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.  It has a natural appetite-suppressant effect. Additionally, it speeds up your metabolism. It has been shown to balance blood sugar, hoping to curb cravings and keep you feeling full for longer. It also helps in breaking down and metabolizing sugar. As a result, it helps to lose weight. 

2. Fennel- Commonly known as saunf, is a natural diuretic and appetite suppressant. It is high in vitamins A, C and D. It offers several antioxidant characteristics that aid digestive health. Improved digestion naturally results in a healthy digestive system and leads to weight loss. It is high in fibre, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer, leading to low-calorie intake. They contain volatile oils such as estragole, fenchone and a net hole. They aid digestion by increasing the formation of gastric juices.  

3. Fenugreek - It contains the fibre that aids in the suppression of food cravings. It has a significant level of insoluble fibre, which is essential for proper digestion and aids in the elimination of toxins. 

4. Cardamon - It promotes weight loss by preventing indigestion, constipation and water retention. It contains active chemicals that combat bacteria and balance intentional flora. It also aids in the expulsion of excess water from the body retained as urine. You can mix a few pods into your tea or eat them to get the optimum results. 

5. Turmeric - It is a well-known immunity-boosting plant that can also aid in weight loss. It aids in digestion and is a powerful fat-burning agent. It also contains a chemical called curcumin which aids in increasing the body’s metabolic rate simply by increasing the core body fat. It reduces inflammatory markers linked to obesity. Mix it with your curry or beverages and enjoy your healthy diet. 

6. Ashwagandha - It is one of the most effective spices for weight reduction. It aids in reducing stress one of the leading reasons for weight gain in the present time. Especially for women, various physical issues cause stress. When cortisol levels increase, further leads to stress. They both commonly contribute to weight gain. Ashwagandha relieves anxiety and reduces the adverse effects of cortisol on the body and overall health. 

7. Cumin - It is the little spice that could: be just one teaspoon added to one of your meals per day and can help you burn up to three times more body fat, according to recent studies. Since cumin is so universal, great for adding flavours to almost any food.