There are a lot of people who drink water with lemon every day. Are you among them? Or just thinking about drinking lemon water daily because it is being encouraged by dozens of social media influencers? Let’s discuss.
So, why people drink water with lemon or lemon peels?
Most often people drink lemon water to:
- promote weight loss
- increase their daily water intake
- improve skin
- help with digestion
- balance the body’s pH levels
- boost immunity, etc.
Are these benefits evidence-based? Not all. On the contrary, some of the ‘benefits’ are not benefits at all. Excess lemon water can be dangerous for you.
So, why lemon water can be not for all?
- it can worsen gastrointestinal issues (acid reflux, esophagitis, etc.);
- its acidity can impact the tooth enamel, causing unpleasant and problematic sensitivities;
- lemon skin which some people add to their water too may contain pesticides and different microorganisms;
- citrus fruits can trigger migraines and headaches (due to tyramine);
- it can worsen canker sores in your mouth;
- lemon water causes an increase in urine production, and you can experience dehydration along with the loss of fluids and electrolytes;
- drinking lemon water daily can affect some medications;
- lemons worsen alkalosis.
Lemon juice can really slow down the absorption of the carbohydrates from food. That is why your blood sugar does not rise as fast as it usually rises. However, how can this mean that you will loose weight just by drinking lemon water??? You will loose weight only when you have a RIGHT calorie deficit and enough activities during the day.
Does lemon water boost immunity? Lemons include some amount of vitamin C, citrate, and flavonoids. This amount is not enough to boost immunity (1 lemon includes around 20% of vitamin C daily value), however, it is better than nothing, right? Moreover, if you have any autoimmune diseases, boosting immunity is not a very good idea for you. Be very careful with vitamin C in your diet, consult your doctor.
What about the theory that lemon water aids digestion? The citric acid in lemon juice can help to boost gastric acid secretion. According to another study where people were drinking lemon water before the meal, the digestion and peristalsis can really be improved in such a way. Their intestinal microbiota analysis showed this. But, as always, more large-scale studies are needed.
As for the body’s pH levels: lemon juice contains an acidic pH before it is digested. Once metabolized by our body, it produces alkaline byproducts, which can make your urine more alkaline, but actually have not enough effect on the pH of your blood.
Will you get healthy glowing skin if you drink lemon water every day? Yes. Because drinking lemon water can promote better hydration. Stay hydrated and you’ll get glowing skin 🙂
When and How You Can Drink Lemon Water?
Let’s discuss when a healthy person can drink lemon water. It will be a mistake to drink water right before the meal. Drink it in the morning, or 20–30 min before your meal. Use a straw. Don’t use too much lemon juice.
If you like to add lemon juice to your water or favorite recipes, you can continue doing this, but remember that quantity matters. Don’t add lemon to all water you drink. Switch fruits, roots, herbs. Use mint, basil, ginger, turmeric, honey, dried hibiscus flowers, green tea, or chicory to add flavor to your water. And, as always: consult with a healthcare professional before making any major changes to your diet! It is important.
Now your turn to talk. Do you drink lemon water? If yes, how often? Did you feel its benefits? Have you ever felt unusual symptoms after drinking lemon water? What do you add to your water to add flavor to it? Share your thoughts in the comments!
