You’ve probably read or watched your favourite celebrity or influencer wax eloquent about the benefits of sipping on some lemon water first thing in the morning. But is lemon water really that holy elixir one must consume? We decided to ask India’s leading nutritionists on the 411.
It does not have fat burning properties
Says Afaaf Shaikh, Nutritionist at Digestive Health Institute by Dr. Muffi. “Lemon water does not have any fat burning properties. There is no scientific research stating that lemon juice is responsible for weight loss and infusing lemon in water does not aid detoxification.” So hold off buying those infuser bottles or heading to the supermarket to buy a bag full of limes or lemons.
She adds that the actual nutrient is the flesh of the fruit, which we exclude. A lemon’s pulp is a good source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and pectin fibre that’s known to prevent fat absorption and lower the bad cholesterol levels.
But it does have other benefits
According to Neha Shetty, Senior Nutritionist – Reduce, Talwalkar’s, lemon acts as a good filler to keep the calorie intake in control. It also supports hydration and boosts metabolism thus helping to achieve the goal. According to Dr. Manjari Chandra, Head Nutritionist, Daivam wellness, “Lemon water restores alkalinity of the body and improves pH that can help the hormones and enzymes work better, reducing hormonal disbalance and digestive discomfort. All of this can lead to weight loss and detox.”
Watch for the signs of replacing thirst with food
Adds Afaaf, “Dehydration slows down the metabolism and can often cause weight gain since one tends to mistake thirst for hunger and you may end up bingeing on a lot of food after prolonged hours of going without water. Hence, going on a fad diet like a lemon water cleanse or apple cider cleanse helps one shed some kilos as one may be deprived of excessive calories and feel that it’s the lemon that has worked wonders. But not only lemon water, the cucumber infused water/orange infused water or herb-infused water also gives the same results.”
Watch your intake of lemon water
“Drinking plain water is one of the most known and simplest ways to naturally aid detoxification and turn on the fat burning switch (lesser the toxins, more effective is the fat burn), but upgrading it to lemon water can offer multiple benefits–that extend beyond making it a refreshing drink,” says Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach – Integrative Medicine. “The abundance of antioxidant Vitamin C and active compounds like limonene is what makes lemon a star fruit. However, to make lemon water work in your favour its appropriate use is important. Over-consuming lemon water or drinking it with meals or immediately after meals can do more harm than good,” he cautions. It could cause acid reflux, heartburn, and due to the acidic nature of lemon, could wear out the enamel on your teeth.
In conclusion, there are many benefits of having lemon water but thinking you will shed the kilos is not true. At the most, it helps as a calorie filler, helps in maintaining pH levels, and sets systems up in your body to help promote weight loss.
