Research has shown that lemon water can be a healthful drink to consume daily. But it has also debunked some common myths that's creating a halo effect around it. Find out more.
I've to admit it: I used to think that lemon water is just a fancy drink that restaurants serve to make patrons feel that they are drinking something more special than just tap water.
But recently, I'm intrigued to realise that many nutritionists reckon otherwise, and some even asserting that it can be a healthful beverage to consume on a daily basis.
Health benefits of lemon water
While not all restaurateurs may be aware of them, lemon water — which is essentially diluted lemon juice — could bring about various health benefits. Here are some important ones to highlight:
Promotes hydration
While lemon juice itself does not promote hydration, it adds flavours to plain water. This typically encourages people to drink more water, even without realising it.
Aids digestion and prevents bloating
The citric acid found in lemon juice can stimulate the secretion of bile and gastric acid, which enables the body to fight indigestion, heartburn, and bloating.
Prevents the formation of kidney stones
Citrate, a component of citric acid found in lemon juice, can make urine less acidic and break down small stones before they can wreak havoc in your kidneys.
Strengthens your immunity
Apart from other nutrients, lemon juice is a good source of Vitamin C — a powerful antioxidant that prevents free radicals from damaging the body cells and are anti-inflammatory. This helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, among other health conditions. Lemon juice is also rich in vitamin B, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and enzymes.
Gives you better complexion
The high Vitamin C content in lemon juice also means that there are loads of antioxidants that would help to fight off damage to your skin cells, contributing to better complexion. And as you end up drinking more water together with it, your skin's condition will only get better.
How best to drink it
Some nutritionists have asserted that it is best to drink lemon water first thing in the morning, and the water needs to be lukewarm so that the nutrients in it can be more easily absorbed by the body. But it is generally fine to drink it either warm or cold at any time of the day.
Just make sure that you drink it in moderation, so that it does not produce excess amounts of gastric acid, which could lead to heartburns. In addition, drink it with a straw or rinse your mouth with plain water after you drink it to prevent the citric acid from eroding your tooth enamel over time.
Debunking some lemon water myths
Contrary to popular belief, there is no concrete evidence that shows that lemon water is able to generate the following outcomes:
Aids in weight loss: There is limited evidence to prove that lemon water can help you shed kilos, compared to drinking just plain water. However, drinking more of a low-calorie beverage like lemon water instead of drinks high in sugar content will definitely help you to lose weight. In addition, drinking it before your meals could also help to suppress your appetite and reduce food consumption, resulting in weight loss over time.
Alkalises the body: Lemon water does not help to make our body more alkaline, as our kidneys, liver, and lungs are responsible for regulating blood acidity within a pH level of between 7.3 and 7.5. What a person eats or drinks does not affect the acidity of the blood or body cells.
Cleanses and detoxifies the body: Our body detoxifies and eliminates waste fundamentally through urination and healthy bowel movements. And drinking sufficient water is one way to help our body accomplish this. So far, there is little evidence that shows that lemon water is better at doing this than plain water.
Still a healthful beverage option
Overall, lemon water is still a healthful beverage option that is low in calories and filled with antioxidants and nutrients. So, it is definitely worth integrating it into your healthy diet.
But as with any other healthful food, too much of a good thing may not always end up a good thing. So, drink in moderation and mind the health of your teeth as you do, and you should well be on your way to better health. Cheers!
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