These days, lemon water is all the fury. Many restaurants routinely serve it, and some people prefer lemon water instead of coffee or tea to start their day.
Most of the data supporting the health advantages of lemon water are anecdotal. Specifically, no scientific study has been conducted on lemon water, but studies on the benefits of lemon and water separately already exist.
For its long list of advantages, including avoiding dehydration, digestion, and promoting weight loss, lemon water is touted by some experts and celebrities. But we all know that too much of the good thing is terrible, right? Here are the pros and cons of drinking lemon water.
Pro: Good Source of Vitamin C
This vitamin is a crucial antioxidant that helps protect cells from damaging free radicals. It is high in citrus fruits, such as lemons.
Vitamin C can help avoid or reduce the length of the common cold in specific individuals, but studies are contradictory. Your risk of cardiovascular disease and low blood pressure can also be decreased by vitamin C.
Pro: Supports Weight Loss
Research has shown that to cause obesity, polyphenol antioxidants found in lemons significantly slow weight gain in overfed mice.
The antioxidant compounds in these mice studies also offset the adverse effects on blood glucose levels and improved insulin resistance, which are the two main factors in developing type 2 diabetes.
Although it is essential to prove the same findings in humans, anecdotal evidence shows that lemon water promotes weight loss.
Pro: Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Lemon juice is an excellent source of flavonoids that aid in cancer prevention. Such flavonoids have antioxidant properties and interfere with the growth and spread of cancer.
In one study, lemon juice had a very strong inhibitory effect on leukemia cell proliferation. As it has been shown to suppress tumor growth, lemon juice may prove useful in treating certain cancers.
Researchers have discovered that cell messaging agents derived from lemons inhibit cell-reproduction and activate cancer cells’ death.
Con: It Can Upset Your Stomach
While the broad range of advantages of lemon water also focuses on gut health, squeezing too much into your water can exacerbate common diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux, according to Medical News Today.
Acidic foods, including lemons, induce not only GERD and acid reflux but they also cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
Con: Lemons Can Damage Your Teeth
According to the American Dental Association, as lemons are highly acidic, frequent exposure may erode your tooth enamel. Try to at least sip it with a straw to cut down on your teeth’s direct acid exposure if you’re not persuaded to ditch lemon water entirely.
You can also stop brushing your teeth right after eating lemon water or drinking plenty of plain water flavored with citrus.
Con: Host of Unpleasant Germs
When you are at a diner, you may want to steer clear of putting lemon wedges in your drink.
On 43 visits, researchers tested 76 lemon samples from 21 different restaurants in a 2007 study by the Journal of Environmental Health. They found that many of the lemons contained microorganisms, including some pathogenic ones that could cause diseases.
Instead of dropping the whole wedge in, squeeze the lemon into your drink to decrease the risk a little. And if you see workers with their bare hands handling lemons, it may be better to stick to plain water.
In some individuals, citric acid can cause heartburn. Others experience heartburn relief when lemon juice becomes alkaline, reducing digestive acidity. Only experimentation will show its effect on you.
When drinking lemon water, some individuals record more frequent trips to the toilet. While it is often assumed that vitamin C is a diuretic, something that improves the amount of urine you produce, the evidence does not suggest that vitamin C has diuretic effects from natural sources such as lemons.
Research reveals that lemon water has several possible health advantages. Squeezing lemon in your water will help you drink more and keep you hydrated during the day. For good health, staying hydrated is essential, so lemon water is almost a win-win.