A lemon water detox is a popular way to shed pounds and stimulate the metabolism, but before jumping into a new flash diet, there are some important things to consider.
What is Lemon Water?
Lemon water, quite simply, is regular water with lemon juice added to it, typically from a fresh lemon. You can squeeze approximately 2 tablespoons into a pint of water for a refreshing and nutritious beverage.
Lemon Water Detox Diet
The lemon water detox diet comes in various forms, some of which recommend a “master cleanse”, in which only lemon juice is consumed. Some lemon water detox diets also use lemon water as a meal replacement or supplement, rather than a complete dietary makeover.
Since you are drinking so much water during a lemon water detox, it can help the body flush out unwanted toxins by stimulating more urination than normal. The active ingredients in lemon juice, such as citric, ascorbic, and malic acid, also help in the metabolic activities. Other health effects include immune and digestive systems boost. While a lemon water detox diet can help you cut down on calories and does provide some health benefits, it should be used as a complement to other healthy eating habits, to ensure that you get the protein and carbohydrates that your body needs. A cleanse or detox is always most effective when followed up with actual lifestyle changes for better health. [1]
Refreshing lemonade. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Benefits of a Lemon Water Detox
A lemon water detox can help you in many ways, including weight loss, weak immunity, and digestion, among others.
Toxicity
As mentioned, by increasing urination rates and actively stimulating liver function, lemon water can lower your total toxicity within the body, which can have related effects on the metabolic and digestive systems. [2]
Immune System
A high level of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in a lemon water detox plan means that your immune system will get a much-needed boost. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant and can stimulate the production of white blood cells, the body’s first line of defense against infectious pathogens. [3]
Weight Loss
There are very few calories in lemon juice, but the density of nutrients, in addition to the constant intake of water, will help make you feel full. When used in conjunction with a low-calorie, weight-loss diet, this juice can help prevent overeating and unnecessary snacking. [4]
Digestion
Lemon juice is similar to the acids that we have in our stomach, and it can complement those digestive functions, improving nutrient uptake, eliminating infections, and balancing the bacterial environment in your gut. [5]
Lemon Water Detox Side Effects
The primary side effects associated with lemon water detox include problems with heartburn, dehydration, and dental health. The high level of acidity in lemon juice can damage your teeth, and also stimulate acid reflux disease. The ascorbic acid in lemon juice, on the other hand, can function as a diuretic and flush the body of fluids that it needs to function normally.
