Benefits & Myths of Lemon Water

Sometimes when a “fix” is too simple, we tend to discredit it. We want our miracle cures to be complex and expensive, and when they're not, we grow dubious. That's why when we tell you how good a simple glass of lemon water is, we'll forgive you if you don't believe us. For the purposes of this discussion, we are defining “lemon water” as the juice of one half a lemon mixed int a glass of water.

The flavanoids contained in lemon water are loaded with antioxidants. Citrus-borne antioxidants have been linked with benefits for insulin sensitivity and blood circulation, and lemon flavonoids have the potential to reduce oxidative stress and damage.

Lemon water may actually help you pass kidney stones. The stones are made out of a compound called calcium oxalate. Without getting into too much chemistry, the compound citrate will prevent calcium from binding with other substances to form the calcium oxalate stones. You guessed it: lemon water contains high amounts of citrate, and can help treat kidney stones. If you're focused on crushing kidney stones, know that lemon water works best alongside the supplement form of citrate, which is potassium citrate, but it is still effective on its own.

Lemon water is a great source of vitamin C, which in turn bolsters our immune system, and aids against eye disease, cardiovascular disease, and prenatal health problems. Lemons are also packed with nutrients B-complex vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

That fiber is the source of one of the many myths surrounding lemon water: no, the pectin in lemon water doesn't help you lose weight, any more than drinking the same amount of regular water would. Likewise, despite what the internet would have you believe, lemon water won't raise your IQ, fight cancer or detox your organs. However, if you’re an adept of the alcaline diet, you can see here some other alkaline foods that could benefit your body.

Of course, this all begs the question, “Why lemon water, what's wrong with my morning orange juice?” The answer is in the sugar and calorie count, both of which are twice as high for a glass of OJ.