How many times have you heard that drinking a glass of warm water with lemon on an empty stomach can prevent colds? And what helps to lose weight? A lot of benefits for our health are attributed to this drink : antioxidants, cleansers, slimming … even curative! Some have even dared to say that it can prevent certain types of cancer.
How reliable is all this? Good question… There is a lot of controversy about it. While some professionals point out that this habit has countless health benefits, other experts dismiss these versions , since it seems that science has not corroborated them to date.
As Marián García (Boticaria García) explains on her blog , “ there is no scientific evidence that it purifies, increases defenses or prevents any disease . ” The Doctor of Pharmacy and a graduate in Human Nutrition and Diet adds: “Lemons provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and has many properties similar to those of other fruits and vegetables. From there to saying that it offers all these benefits there is a long way ”.
However, having a glass of water with a few drops of lemon (not necessarily in the morning, but at any time of the day and whatever the temperature) is not going to harm your body and has some advantages. Hydrate you, will help combat fluid retention and will provide some vitamin C . If you like the taste and it helps you consume more water… Go ahead! Do not stop doing it. But don't think that it is a panacea.
Real benefits of drinking lemon water
Water is a fundamental element for the proper functioning of the body. Experts recommend drinking between 1 and a half liters and 2 liters of water for optimal body function . Adding a few drops of lemon will not change its properties excessively, but it may make it easier for you to consume these amounts. It will alter its flavor and perhaps make the drink more refreshing, but little else.
- Hydrates Since most of the lemon water is just that, water, drinking this mixture right after waking up will help you start the day with optimal levels of hydration. Doing it with a few drops of lemon will not make it “more hydrating”, but some people prefer to add them for the flavor.
- Reduces fluid retention. If you are one of those who tend to retain fluids, it will be good for you to start the day with a good glass of water, regardless of whether or not it has a few drops of lemon. Water is diuretic and will help you eliminate excess fluids.
- Fight constipation. The same thing happens with constipation as with the previous points. Drinking enough water will help you improve your intestinal transit, especially if you drink it warm or hot, as it can cause intestinal spasms. However, although there are people to whom the acidity of the lemon helps them go to the bathroom, the truth is that the laxative effect of this drink is independent of whether or not a few drops of lemon are added.
- It provides vitamin C. That lemon contains vitamin C is nothing new, although you will be surprised to know that it is far from being the richest food in this nutrient. Adding a little lemon juice to the water will make your body receive this vitamin, but be realistic, the dose will be very small. If you want to increase your intake of this substance, you are interested in reviewing the foods that contain more vitamin C.
Myths about fasting lemon water
- It does not alkalize. Experts assure that we do not need lemon to regulate the PH of our body. Our body already has its own mechanisms to keep it stable.
- It does not purify or detoxify. It is too bold to say that a glass of water with lemon removes toxins from the body and cleanses it. There are certain organs (kidneys, liver, lungs, skin …) that are in charge of fulfilling this mission. Drinking a glass of water on an empty stomach does not make them work faster or more effectively. They already do well on their own.
- It does not help you lose weight. Drinking water before and during meals has a satiating effect, but it is highly exaggerated to attribute slimming properties to a glass of water with lemon on an empty stomach. It may take a bit of hunger before eating breakfast, but it won't activate your metabolism or make the kilos go away as if by magic. As @boticariagarcia explains, there is no scientific evidence that water with lemon melts or dissolves fat. "If someone wants to" get fat ", what they have to do is eat healthy and practice physical exercise."
- It does not prevent colds. Contrary to what many people think, vitamin C does not increase our defenses or prevent colds. And much less does it take a glass of water with just a few drops of lemon. Different studies with scientific basis have shown that vitamin C can shorten the duration of the cold, but does not reduce the chances of catching them.
- It is not a remedy against cancer. This statement is utter nonsense without any basis. The Spanish Association Against Cancer says it very clearly: "There is no food or combination of foods that cures cancer . " To fight this or any other disease, you have to put yourself in the hands of a specialist and follow the prescribed treatments. Neither the vitamin C cure nor the alkaline diet prevent or cure cancer. There is no scientific evidence in this regard. It is clear that eating a healthy diet puts us in the best of scenarios, but unfortunately it is not a guarantee of not suffering from diseases.
Watch out! Lemon water can damage your teeth
There is something for which there is scientific evidence: abusing lemon can be very harmful to teeth. Lemon is a very acidic food and causes erosion of tooth enamel and tooth wear . If you are going to consume lukewarm water with lemon, follow the advice of the experts: drink it with a straw so it does not touch the tooth enamel and wash your teeth immediately afterwards .
