Fact Check: Can ginger-lemon drink with instant coffee burn belly fat? Viral claim is misleading
An instagram video claims that without exercise and diet, belly fat can be reduced in 7 days, just by consuming a drink prepared with lemon, ginger and coffee.
By Neelambaran A Published on 16 Nov 2024 1:00 PM GMT
Claim: Drink a mixture prepared with ginger, lemon, and instant coffee, and reduce belly fat within seven days without diet or exercise.
Fact: The claim is misleading. Burning visceral fat requires regular exercise, focusing on core and high-intensity workouts, alongside a balanced diet.
A viral Instagram video claims to provide a natural recipe for abdominal fat loss within seven days. The video claims that any user will lose one kilogram in a week without following any diet or exercise. The recipe recommended includes grated ginger and half a lemon, boiled in 1 litre of water for about 10 minutes.
The video suggests that the user then strain the mix and add two spoons of instant coffee and consume the drink twice a day for better results.
Fact Check:
Newsmeter found the claims to be misleading.
Belly fat, known as visceral fat, builds up deep within the abdomen and around the organs, whereas subcutaneous fat is a soft fat stored beneath the skin and tissue. Abdominal obesity can occur due to a sedentary lifestyle, diet, or alcohol use.
Dr. Tejaswini Tumma, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Therapeutic Endoscopist, Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar, said, āUnlike subcutaneous fat, belly fat is metabolically active, releasing inflammatory chemicals that harm overall health. To reduce visceral obesity we need to exercise regularly, focusing on core and high-intensity workouts.ā
The video claims that using ginger increases the rate of burning fat while lemon peel reduces fat storage. Though ginger is found to have some effects on burning fat and regulating blood sugar due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, more studies are required to substantiate the effects.
Further, the claim that lemon reduces fat storage is not supported by any scientific studies.
āBelly fat indicates visceral obesity which is a risk factor for several metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Eat a balanced diet low in processed foods and added sugars. Incorporate stress-reducing techniques like meditation and yoga while adequate sleep of around 7-8 hours/night is highly recommended. It is always better to consult a healthcare professional for personalised guidance,ā Dr. Tejaswini said.
