Drinking Lemon Water - Health Benefits and Myths

Learn about the true benefits of lemon water, as well as the myths.

Lemon water has become popular on the back of claims it helps improve your mood, energy levels, immune system and metabolic health. In fact, many celebrities swear by it and there are even diets based entirely on lemons.

Lemon water is simply the juice from lemons mixed with water.

The amount of lemon you use depends on your personal preference, and whether your take it hot or cold makes no difference to health.

This is the nutrient breakdown for one glass of water mixed with the juice from half a lemon:

Calories: 9.
Sugars: Less than 1 gram.
Vitamin C: 25% of the RDI.
Folate: 1% of the RDI.
Potassium: 1% of the RDI.

One glass does not seem to provide a lot of nutrients, but drinking lemon water is a low-calorie and low-sugar beverage that can boost your vitamin C intake.

For comparison, if you replaced half a lemon with half an orange, it would double the calories and sugar in your drink.

Benefits of Lemon Water

Numerous human studies have found lemon juice can help treat kidney stones.

Lemon contains high amounts of citrate, a compound that restores the urine’s ability to prevent kidney stone formation.

Lemon water appears to be a good alternative for those who don’t tolerate citrate supplementation, which is the first-line treatment for kidney stones.

Considering lemon water is water with a bit of lemon added, it has all the benefits of regular water.

Drinking plenty of water can have benefits for weight loss, mental health, digestive health and athletic performance.

Common Myths About Lemon Water and Health

There are many additional health claims surrounding lemon water, but most are not supported by any scientific evidence.

In fact, some have even been disproven. The most common are:

Myth 1: The Fiber in it Helps You Lose Weight

Lemons contain a type of fiber called pectin, which helps reduce your appetite and calorie intake.

However, lemon water is basically filtered, heavily diluted lemon juice, which leaves it with only trace amounts of pectin. Even a whole lemon only contains 2 grams of fiber in total.

Myth 2: It Alkalizes Your Body

According to proponents of the alkaline diet, foods leave an “ash” in your system that influences the pH of your body— how acidic or alkaline it becomes.

Lemon water is said to be alkalizing. However, neither the pH of your blood nor cells can be altered by what we eat.

Myth 3: It Fights Cancer

This claim is built on the premise that cancer cells cannot thrive in an alkaline environment, but studies show they can.

Additionally, cancer cells create their own acidic environment, and eating "alkalizing food" doesn’t stop it.

Myth 4: It Cleanses and Detoxes

Water helps eliminate waste from your body through urination and healthy bowel movements. However, nothing in lemon water improves this process.

In fact, most claims that foods or beverages cleanse or detoxify your organs are simply untrue.

It's also worth noting the acid in lemons can damage your tooth enamel over time, which makes your teeth more prone to cavities. So don't drink it after you brush your teeth.

All that said, lemon water is a safe, flavorful alternative to plain water that has several health benefits.

However, if you already eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of fluids, then lemon water will be of no nutritional benefit. You should drink it for the taste rather than the health benefits.

Follow Authority Nutrition:

[a.i.g]

Drinking lemon water while watching this video.

[corallaroc]

Well it's better than a glass of vodka in the morning..

[dwaynecarter]

Dude I just cut a lemon up, cut cilantro up. I put it in a glass of water . I drank 2 glasses. It literally took away my bloat. Made all the gasses come out and I had a bowel movement but I hadn't eating. I think it's it made me feel 10 times better.

[someguy]

Using a straw to drink acidic drinks reduces the problem of tooth weakening. That largely bypasses the teeth. Rinsing with plain water also helps.

[eliranb]

After drinking lemon water for a full week, I can say for sure that it made me urinate a whole lot more and most definitely made me less hungry. Therefore, the claims in this video is either incorrect or it just really varies from one person to the next.

[Cieloazul]

I mean, it's a shot of vitamin C first thing in the morning to help with boosting your inmune system. I drink lemon water everyday first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before I even brush my teeth so I can absorb as many of the nutrients as possible. And who can argue agains drinking water in the morning, lemon or not.

[bondy]

I wish he'd addressed that lemon water has a glycemic index of 0. So it's great for controlling blood sugar - and high blood sugar is linked with obesity.
I drink lemon water in the morning, and I find it reduces hunger for me.

[ap]

the pH of our blood can be affected by the foods we eat. Our cells are also affected by the foods we eat. Why you make such a claim they it cant? Our body actually takes nutrients away from other parts/organs to maintain that optimal pH balance. Making diet our first line of defense when it comes to good health.

[iWinRar]

need more videos this is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels.

[espinosaproductions]

Thank you for all the information you put out.

[gordonfernandes]

Very Informative keep 'em coming dude !

[Randimal]

If you're concerned about the acid damaging your tooth enamel, you should avoid brushing your teeth immediately AFTER drinking it because your tooth enamel will be temporarily softened from the acid, so you want to avoid brushing during this softened state which can definitely damage tooth enamel. It's best to wait at least an hour after you drink it before brushing your teeth, as well as rinse your mouth out really well with tap water after drinking the lemon water.

[LETTY]

I love your website!! I'm so happy that you're on YouTube now, congratulations!!!!

[rosiekennedy]

Very interesting. Few myths now ruled out !!! Thanks

[juliamarsh]

I enjoy a glass of hot lemon and fresh ginger. Also, this combination seems to give me a little lift sometimes, especially if I have not drank it for a while.

[guscurci]

Could you please provide us with a link showing the studies proved cancer cells can thrive in alkaline environment? I'd love to read and make my own opinion about it

[friendlyfriends]

Day 2 of drinking lemon water with ginger! I lost 2 pounds and got less hungry!! I also got a bit slim

[pooja.n]

There will always be studies based on food which are healthy.. but it also depends on one's body. Lemon has alot of benefits but it doesn't suit to all. Many people get cramps after consuming lemons. It is always good to try naturally grown but your body knows what it needs and what suits you.

[hemsyemtem]

So glad this channel is taking off. Congratulations guys! Your content really deserves attention.

[solong]

Thank you very much and i published about it hoping to benefit from my video