Lemon Water: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
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By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
Table of Contents
The mere mention of the word citrus brings to mind images of oranges and lemons! Lemon, in fact, is scientifically known as Citrus limon! It belongs to the family Rutaceae andis an evergreen shrub with yellow citrus fruits that taste and smell refreshing. Lemons are native to the Northern regions of India and are largely produced by the USA, China, Argentina, Spain, Italy and Brazil.1
Lemon fruits have been commonly used in Indian traditional medicine for their valuable nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. As the name suggests, lemon water is warm or cold water containing lemon juice or slices of lemons. Lemon fruit is commonly called lemon in English, Le citron in French, Zitrone in German, Ningmeng in Chinese, and Limon in Spanish.1,2
Add it to your morning tea or make cold lemonade for those hot summer afternoons; either way, a lemon might help you build immunity. Let’s read along to know more about the benefits of lemon water and how it can help you stay healthier.
The nutritional value of one slice of lemon is given as follows. Add lemon slices to water and you have lemon water that has all the same nutrients:
Also Read: Beetroot Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
The biological activities of lemon are because of its high content of phenolic compounds.1 The properties of lemon water are:
Also Read: Carrot Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Lemon has been used for ages for the management of various diseases.4 The potential uses of lemon water are as follows:
Lemon water might be a refreshing antioxidant drink that may benefit weight loss due to citric acid, a vital fat burner. Drinking warm lemon water might be an effective method of reducing body weight. Drinking lemon water in the morning may help in natural weight loss; it may also increase the body temperature, thus boosting the metabolic rate.4,5
A recent study by Samundy et al. 2016 involving overweight women as participants found that drinking warm lemon water reduced weight along with the waist circumference. It also showed a reduction in body mass index.5
However, more studies are required to understand the effects of lemon water on weight management in people.
Lemons may aid in the digestion process. Lemon water might stimulate the digestive system to make digestive juices, bile and acids that might be helpful to break down large food molecules. It also may increase the series of wave-like muscular contractions in the intestine that might help improve digestion.4
More studies on humans are required to establish the positive effect of lemon water on digestive system to be sure.
Lemon water may have essential antioxidant and antibiotic properties. Lemon water may be helpful in rejuvenating the skin by keeping it shiny and away from infections and odours. Lemon slices or juice may be scrubbed on the skin to remove dead cells or applied to rashes and bruises.4
Lemon products might have a positive effect on acne-prone skin that is damaged due to sunburn. The antioxidant properties of lemon water might be useful in cosmetic preparations. It might help manage oxidative stress, and the external application might also increase collagen (protein) production, making the skin smoother and more firm.1
More scientific evidence is needed to confirm the effect of lemon water on human skin.
Lemon water contains vital nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium and flavonoids. These nutrients might help detoxify, remove the toxic substances from the body, and stop the accumulation of uric acid in the urinary system. The disinfectant properties of lemon water might help to clear infections from the urinary tract and also might help to stop the deposition of calcium in the urinary tract.4
More scientific research is needed to understand the positive effects of lemon water on our health. You should always consult a qualified doctor before taking any ayurvedic supplements. Please do not replace or discontinue any ongoing medicine with any ayurvedic preparation without consulting a doctor first.
I would recommend considering lemon water in your routine if you were dealing with kidney stones. It contains citrate, which might help fend off certain stones. You may try lemon juice concentrate with water each day for a refreshing way to support your kidneys. Just be mindful of your sugar intake. Stay hydrated and follow your doctor’s advice for the best results!
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Also Read: Wheatgrass Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Lemons are zero calorie and super healthy.1 Lemon water can be used in the following ways to make your days more vibrant and food more fun:
In my opinion, starting your day with lemon water might provide a potassium boost. Potassium is essential for various bodily functions, including nerve-muscle coordination, nutrient transportation, waste removal, and blood pressure regulation. By incorporating lemon water into your morning routine, you may give your body a healthy dose of this vital mineral to support overall well-being.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Research has proven some health benefits of lemon water, yet rarely people might experience side effects. Lemon water contains acids which may be harmful to the teeth enamel. Other than this, no major study reports side effects of lemon water in humans .2,4
However, if any negative reactions are observed, immediately contact an Ayurvedic physician who will provide the proper guidance and treat you appropriately.
In light of what I’ve observed, sipping on lemon water regularly might help reduce inflammation, particularly in joints that are prone to overuse, such as the knees. Inflammation might cause discomfort and limit mobility, so incorporating lemon water into your daily routine may provide some relief.
Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Lemon water is considered to be safe when taken in moderate dosages. However, general precautions have to be followed.
According to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), extracts of lemon are classified as safe products.1
There is not enough information about the interaction of lemon water with any drug. However, this does not mean no interactions can occur. We recommend you always consult your Ayurvedic doctor to stay safe.
Lemon water is safe when consumed in diluted form. Otherwise, concentrated citric acids in lemon may damage the tooth enamel.2
Scurvy is a disease caused because of the deficiency of vitamin C. It is associated with infections like cold and cough, cracked lips, ulcers in the mouth and swollen and bleeding gums. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C and may provide the essential nutrients needed by the body.4
Yes. Lemon water with salt might act as an laxative and may help relieve constipation. However, these studies are insufficient to confirm the beneficial effects of lemon water on humans.4
Yes. Drinking lemon water daily in the morning might help boost the body system and keep you hydrated with all the essential vitamins needed by the body. However, this information is insufficient to confirm the effect of lemon on dehydration.2
Lemon water contains vitamin B1, B3, B2, B9, C, A, and vitamin E.3
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