The Lemon, Cayenne Pepper, and Honey Diet: What You Need to Know

This eating plan is considered a fad diet. Fad diets often promote quick weight loss that is unsustainable and may severely restrict what you eat. They may be harmful and generally do not have long-lasting health benefits. Talk to your healthcare provider before making any major changes to how you eat.

True to its name, the lemon, cayenne pepper, and honey diet involves drinking a beverage made with these three ingredients for anywhere from 10 to 40 days. A variation of the Master Cleanse detox (which combines lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup), this liquid-only diet substitutes honey for maple syrup as a sweetener.

Proponents of the regimen say it detoxifies organs, improves digestion, and promotes weight loss. But research shows these claims are overblown, and following the diet has numerous drawbacks.

How Does the Lemon, Cayenne Pepper, and Honey Diet Claim to Work?

In theory, the mechanism behind a lemon, cayenne pepper, and honey diet is threefold. “The idea is that lemon juice supports cleansing, cayenne boosts metabolism, and the sweetener, whether it’s honey or maple syrup, provides energy,” explains Samantha DeVito, RD, CDN, of Paramus, New Jersey.

Of course, calorie restriction also plays a major role in the diet’s weight loss effects. It involves consuming no solid food for multiple days at a time, sending your calorie intake into a nosedive.

The lemony beverage itself is also extremely low in calories. A common recipe for the drink contains the following:

• 2 tablespoons (tbsp) fresh-squeezed lemon juice (7 calories)

  [1]

• 1 tbsp honey (64 calories)

  [2]

• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (0 calories)

  [3]

• 10 ounces of purified water (0 calories)

All told, each serving adds up to just 71 calories. Even if you drink this six or more times a day, it’s still likely to create a major calorie deficit. “Any weight loss you see on this plan is almost entirely from the drastic drop in calories and not from the ingredients themselves,” says DeVito. “This is essentially a crash diet, which is not sustainable for long-term weight management. You’re not giving your body enough to fuel even its most basic functions, which can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and muscle loss.”

What Can You Eat on the Lemon, Cayenne Pepper, and Honey Diet?

The menu on a lemon, cayenne pepper, and honey diet is quite straightforward. Here’s what you can expect.

Foods to Include

• A homemade beverage, usually made of 2 tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey, a pinch (or more) of ground cayenne pepper, and 8 to 10 ounces of purified water
• 1 quart of salt water in the morning to stimulate the bowels (optional)
• An herbal laxative, like senna leaf, to prevent constipation (optional)

Foods to Avoid

All foods other than the homemade lemon beverage are off-limits for at least 10 days on this cleanse.

Potential Benefits of the Lemon, Cayenne Pepper, and Honey Diet (and Why They May Not Last)

“While these ingredients do have nutrients (lemon is a good source of vitamin C, for example), there’s nothing unique about this combination that causes the body to detox or burn fat more effectively,” DeVito says. “The claims may sound scientific, but they’re not supported by credible research.”

Claims that this liquid diet can improve digestion are also unfounded. “There’s no clinical evidence that the Master Cleanse improves digestion,” says DeVito. In fact, it’s devoid of fiber and dietary variety, two key elements for gut health. “Without enough fiber, bowel regularity can slow down, and the acidity of lemon juice combined with cayenne pepper could irritate the digestive tract in some people,” she points out.

Potential Risks of the Lemon, Cayenne Pepper, and Honey Diet

• Nutrient Deficiencies The longer you go without nutrients from solid food, the more likely you are to experience deficiencies. A lemon, cayenne pepper, and honey diet is notably lacking in protein and fat as well as micronutrients like B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
• Unsustainable Weight Loss This quick-fix diet may help you to drop pounds rapidly, but it’s not a long-term solution for weight management.
• Potential for Disordered Eating For some people, a fad diet like this one is either the cause or the result of a negative relationship with food. Be aware that its restrictive nature could trigger disordered eating behaviors.
• Lack of Scientific Evidence This diet’s health claims are based more on conjecture and personal anecdotes than scientific evidence.
• Interactions with Health Conditions The high acid content of lemon juice could cause problems for people with certain health concerns. “People with digestive conditions like reflux or ulcers may find it irritating,” DeVito says.
• Social Isolation If you’re skipping solid food for weeks at a time, you’ll probably miss out on the pleasure of eating with others.

Is the Lemon, Cayenne Pepper, and Honey Diet Right for You?

Though it may help you achieve quick weight loss, as a fad diet, a lemon, cayenne pepper, and honey diet is, by definition, unsustainable. Its restrictiveness, poor nutrition, and lack of evidence are all good reasons to skip it.

If you’re looking for a way to support your body’s natural detoxification process, DeVito says a healthy, varied diet is far more effective. “Focus on balanced eating, plenty of fruits and vegetables, adequate protein, whole grains, hydration, and regular movement,” she says. “These habits are much more sustainable and beneficial than quick fixes like the Master Cleanse.” Before you begin any new diet plan, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider.

The Takeaway

• A lemon, cayenne pepper, and honey diet is a variation on the Master Cleanse that involves drinking a homemade lemon beverage six or more times a day for 10 to 40 days.
• It’s likely that you’ll lose weight on this diet, but it’s not a healthy approach to long-term weight loss.
• Other claims about this cleanse, such as improving digestion and detoxifying organs, are not supported by scientific evidence.