The #1 Best Detox Drink for Faster Weight Loss, Says Dietitian

Detoxing for weight loss is a highly debated topic in the health world. While it has been known to help jumpstart the process of losing weight, it should not be used as a long-term solution.

It's also important to note that losing weight in a healthy way is a gradual process that oftentimes involves changing your diet and including more physical activity into your daily life. So even if you decide to incorporate a detoxifying food or drink into your diet, it will not help you lose weight sustainably by itself.

If you're looking for something that is naturally detoxifying, Amy Shapiro MS, RD says that one of the best drinks for detoxing is water, and you can add naturally detoxifying ingredients to it as well.

Continue reading to learn more about what this detox water can do for your health, and for more healthy drinking tips, make sure to check out Drinking Habits to Avoid if You Don't Want Visceral Fat.

How water helps your body detox

"My favorite detox drink always starts with water because you need to hydrate in order to help your liver and kidneys naturally flush out toxins," she says, "but I also like to add the juice from 1/2 a lemon, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, and a dash of cayenne pepper."

Before you make your lemon water with apple cider vinegar and cayenne, you may want to know the specific benefits of each of these ingredients.

"Lemon juice supports detoxification, supports the liver, boosts immunity, and improves skin health," says Shapiro. And not only that, but according to a study published in Scientific Reports, lifelong consumption of lemon juice is known to have an anti-aging effect due to its antioxidants.

"Apple cider vinegar improves the metabolism of carbohydrates, keeps blood sugar levels stable, populates the gut with healthy bacteria to assist digestion and weight management," says Shapiro, " and cayenne adds some heat which has been shown to increase metabolism over time."

According to the Cleveland Clinic, cayenne pepper not only helps with metabolism, but it can also help regulate your appetite.

The Takeaway

Woman squeezing lemon into glass water — Shutterstock

Detoxing should never take the place of eating healthy foods and exercising. But drinking water with lemon, cayenne, and apple cider vinegar can provide you with a handful of health benefits.

"Although this water alone can not assist with weight loss, staying hydrated and balancing your blood sugar levels will help your body to function at a high level, can decrease your hunger, and ultimately decrease weight," says Shapiro.