A video is being shared on social media claiming that consuming a glass of a drink mixed with Chia seeds, cayenne pepper, Ginger powder, lemon juice, warm water and organic honey everyday burns the belly fat upto 17 pounds in just 2 weeks. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: A glass of drink mixed with Chia seeds, cayenne pepper, Ginger powder, lemon juice, warm water and organic honey when consumed everyday burns belly fat up to 17 pounds in just 2 weeks.
Fact: Some of the above-mentioned ingredients help in weight management by making you feel full or by increasing metabolism slightly. No research was done on the combined effects of these foods. In fact, no food is truly fat burning, the term “fat-burning foods” may apply to those that produce fat loss by stimulating metabolism, reducing appetite, or reducing overall food intake. There’s no easy way to lose weight quickly. The best way to lose weight is slowly, by making small, achievable changes in diet, eating and exercise habits combined with an active lifestyle and adequate sleep. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING
First, let’s look at issues causing weight gain. According to Harvard Medical School, the following are the leading causes of overweight/obesity:
- High calorie intake and low-calorie expenditure
- Genetic influences
- Lack of exercise
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Sleep & stress
- Junk food etc.
So, not all people put on weight due to same reason, and hence, weight loss procedure is not same for everyone. Now, let’s look at the health benefits of each of the ingredients used in the drink.
Chia seeds: Better heart health, Improved blood sugar levels, Reduced inflammation, Healthier weight management by making you feel full, so that you consume less food.
Cayenne Pepper: Pain relief, Metabolism Boost, Digestive Health etc.
Ginger: Fights germs, lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, relieves indigestion etc.
Honey: Might reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, wound healing, might offer anti-depressant, anti-anxiety benefits etc.
Lemon: Improves digestion, promotes heart health, weight management (pectin fibre found in lemons expands once it is ingested, making you feel full sooner and longer) etc.
Warm water: Water keeps the body hydrated. perhaps the heat of the water relaxes your GI tract a bit to help things like constipation. If you have cold symptoms, drinking hot water can help with things like sinus congestion from the steam rising into your nasal passages.
Though these ingredients have several health benefits including weight management, no research was done on the health benefits of these ingredients when consumed together. In fact, no food is truly fat burning, The term “fat-burning foods” may apply to those that produce fat loss by stimulating metabolism, reducing appetite, or reducing overall food intake.
According to Mayo Clinic, Australian Govt’s Department of Health, NHS and nutrition experts, there is no magic drink/food that melt away excess body fat. There’s no easy way to lose weight quickly. The best way to lose weight is slowly, by making small, achievable changes in diet, eating and exercise habits combined with an active lifestyle and adequate sleep.
To sum it up, mere consumption of this drink doesn’t burn your body fat.
