I think it’s safe to say that nearly EVERY health and wellness blogger has recommended lemon water as a semi-magical cure-all for a number of health scenarios. Whether it’s for “stimulating weight loss”, “correcting your body’s pH”, “detoxing your body”, or some other quick-fix to an age-old problem, lemon water seems to be mentioned everywhere.
Here’s the thing: a few ounces of lemon juice in your glass of water isn’t going to magically give you better skin, a smaller waistline, or a flawless immune system. But it’s not necessarily a bad thing to incorporate it into your routine! Let’s get some facts straight and bust the age-old myths about lemon water.
Myth: It Stimulates Weight Loss
Fact: Lemon water doesn’t boost metabolism or trigger weight loss effects in the body, but it is a low-to-no calorie drink that can replace sodas, juices, and other beverages that you may be tempted to reach for. So lemon water won’t literally cause you to lose weight, but making it a habit can help you cut out unnecessary, empty calories from your diet.
Myth: It Changes the pH of Your Body
Fact: Your stomach has a pH of between 1.5 and 3.5 (which is very, very acidic), and lemon juice has a pH of about 2. When acidic foods are metabolized, they become essentially the opposite, or alkaline. Even still, a few ounces of lemon juice being metabolized into a pH of 7 (more alkaline/neutral) won’t really do much to alter the general pH of your body or your blood. The pH of your body and blood is highly regulated in order to continue functioning as normal, so no, your lemon water will not change that.
Myth: It “Detoxes” Your Body
Fact: The only things that literally detoxify your body are your kidneys and your liver. No magic tea, lemon water, or supplement is going to “clear out the bad stuff” in your system. Your liver filters out toxins from your digestive system (think: alcohol) while your kidneys filter out toxins from your blood (and then turn that into urine). Drinking water puts less strain on these systems, so if adding lemon to your water helps you hydrate, then yes, it can help “detox” your body.
Other Notes on Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, like other citrus fruits, has vitamin C and other antioxidants that keep your cells and immune function healthy and working as it should. It’s always good to make sure you have plenty of antioxidants and vitamin C for a healthy immune system, but there are plenty of other fruits and vegetables that will provide the same amount, if not more, than citrus fruits. Why limit citrus consumption? Because continued use (and overconsumption) of citrus products can erode tooth enamel and cause dental issues. While I may sound like a broken record, everything in moderation rings true, even when it comes to lemon water.
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