Docs Dispel Myth About Benefits Of Lemon Water

Irina Gusakova

It is believed that lemon water helps you quickly lose weight, improves digestion and strengthens the immune system. Gastroenterologist, doctor, expert of the Hemotest laboratory Ekaterina Kashukh told Pravda.Ru readers whether this is really so.

Lemon water - should everyone start their day with it? Starting your morning with a glass of water with a slice of lemon on an empty stomach is a fashionable trend. But there are no reliable scientific studies that would confirm the exceptional benefits of this habit.

"The advice to drink water with lemon is often argued that this will help start digestion and speed up metabolism, that is, metabolism. 

Allegedly, thanks to lemon, the body will absorb nutrients and vitamins faster and better. This is not entirely true. 

Water itself is important for normal digestion. It softens the bolus of food and facilitates its smooth passage through the intestines during digestion. And lemon does not play any role here," explains the doctor.

Lemon water can be a source of vitamin C, which is actually abundant in citrus. 

Ascorbic acid is an important nutrient for health. It is involved in iron metabolism and collagen production, thanks to which folic acid and vitamin E are better absorbed. In addition, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from premature aging. But water to which a few slices of lemon has been added has little vitamin C. 

It seems much easier to eat a few tangerines. And many berries, fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, comments Ekaterina Kashukh.

Another popular argument for lemon water concerns blood pressure. “There are several studies that have shown that lemon helps lower systolic blood pressure (indicated by the first or top number on the tonometer). But treating this as a therapeutic recommendation is dangerous. High blood pressure is a symptom that indicates some kind of disorder in functioning of the body. 

Therefore, it is important to discuss high blood pressure with a doctor - he will help you find the cause of this condition and select effective treatment," the specialist advises.

Finally, lemon water is often credited with its ability to balance the acid-base balance. The functioning of internal organs and systems and the work of digestive enzymes depend on the PH level. But a healthy body itself is able to regulate the acid-base balance. But if for some reason it is broken, it needs to be corrected with the help of a doctor.

So, according to the doctor, whether or not to add lemon to water is a matter of taste.

“To maintain health, a person needs to drink enough water every day. And if you don’t like drinking plain water, you can add a couple of slices of lemon, fresh cucumber or a few mint leaves to it. 

It is important to remember that lemon may be contraindicated for people with gastrointestinal diseases -intestinal tract. And excess vitamin C can lead to stomach upset,” the doctor sums up.

-- Pravda.ru