Body composition effects of short-term fasting using lemon and honey

A multi-institutional team of researchers evaluated the short-term impact of honey and lemon on fasting.

• The study authors recruited 50 healthy participants between the ages of 18 to 29.
• Pre- and post-experiment body composition assessments were done using TANITA body composition analyzers SC-330, while lipid profiles were measured through BA-4545 semi-auto biochemistry analyzers.
• The participants were put through four successive days of fasting in a secluded area where the researchers observed them from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Each recruit was given 300 ml of lemon honey juice (half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey mixed in 290 ml of water) four times each day: between 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., 11:30 to 12:00 p.m., 3:00 to 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 to 7:00 p.m..
• On the fifth day of the experiment, the researchers gave the participants 300 ml of lime juice in the morning, 200 g of papaya for lunch, and a raw diet (50 g of sprouts, 100 g of raw vegetables, and a 100-gram serving of fruit salad) for dinner.
• Of the 50 original participants, 44 finished the experiment.Those who remained lost a significant amount of weight, fat-free mass, and muscle mass, as well as reductions in their body mass index (BMI).
• The aforementioned changes applied to participants of all genders. However, only the female participants experienced changes to their total body water and total serum triglycerides.
• As per the study authors, the vitamin C contents of lemon and honey was pinpointed as the probable cause for weight loss; weight and BMI changes may have accounted for the reductions in fat mass and fat-free mass; significant changes to the fat mass and total serum triglycerides was likely due to the utilization of fat.

Thus, the researchers concluded that healthy individuals can benefit from lemon and honey fasting.

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Journal reference:

Shetty P, Mooventhan A, Nagendra HR. DOES SHORT-TERM LEMON HONEY JUICE FASTING HAVE EFFECT ON LIPID PROFILE AND BODY COMPOSITION IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS? Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. March 2016;7(1):11–13. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2016.03.001