According to medical professionals, incorporating a simple yet potent drink into your daily routine can significantly impact your overall health. Experts recommend drinking a glass of water infused with lemon, citing its potential to lower high cholesterol levels, address fatty liver issues, and even aid in weight loss.
Fresh lemons are readily available at most supermarkets, with Aldi offering them at an affordable price of 15p for an unwaxed lemon. This makes it easy to enjoy refreshing lemon water without breaking the bank.
Dr Eric Berg DC, a specialist in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting, has shared a detailed video on his YouTube channel, which boasts an impressive 12 million subscribers. In the video, Dr Berg highlights the numerous benefits of consuming a daily glass of lemon water, describing it as not only "refreshing and delicious" but also offering "remarkable health advantages."
He notes that the benefits of lemon water are particularly pronounced when combined with a healthy keto diet and intermittent fasting. To make lemon water, simply add fresh slices to a glass or mix the juice of one to three lemons with water. Consider incorporating lemon juice into your daily routine as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, reports Surrey Live.
Lemon water can offer remarkable health advantages, Dr Berg says. Expanding on his initial assertion that lemon water could potentially alleviate fatty liver, he attributes this to the phytonutrients present in lemon water, which can significantly improve a condition known as hepatic steatosis.
"It means the infiltration of fat into the liver, so hepatic steatosis means a fatty liver," he explained. "Lemon water has the ability to dissolve the fat in the liver. There's other things as well, like purify bile salts and choline."
Choline is beneficial for your liver, brain and cells, and influences how your body utilises fats. He further stated: "A low-fat diet, as in a ketogenic diet, can also reduce up to 50 of the fat in your liver within 14 days. But if you add a little lemon to your water you can actually speed things up."
While there's limited evidence to suggest that lemon water directly reduces cholesterol levels, some studies indicate that compounds found in lemons, such as limonin, could potentially lower LDL 'bad' cholesterol and triglycerides. It's crucial to remember that lemon water should be part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, rather than being seen as the sole solution for high cholesterol.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which supports heart health. They also provide a good amount of soluble fibre that may help lower overall cholesterol levels.
Dr Berg also explained that if your liver and gallbladder aren't functioning at their best and bile production is lacking, it can result in a cholesterol buildup. He suggests that drinking lemon water can stimulate bile flow through the bile ducts, helping to eliminate any excess cholesterol.
He notes that having a daily glass of lemon water could indirectly aid weight loss. "Lemon water does not directly help you lose weight, it can indirectly help you lose weight," he stated.
He elaborated: "Certain phytonutrients in lemon water significantly lower blood sugars and reduce insulin resistance. And that is the reason why someone can lose weight. In fact, if you really want to know how to lose weight, what I would do is not try to research 'how to lose weight', I would research how to lower insulin."
He added: "Anything that lowers insulin is going to help you lose weight. It's impossible for a fat cell to shrink without lowering insulin despite your calories."
Dr Berg also highlights that animal studies suggest that consuming lemon water may lead to a longer lifespan and counteract ageing effects. In one specific study, animals given lemon water for five weeks lived an additional three weeks.
"You might think, 'that's not a significant amount of time,' but remember, that was just five weeks," he explained to his audience. "Imagine if you incorporated lemon water into your daily routine for the entirety of your life; those weeks could really accumulate." The study also found that lemon water enhances the longevity of beneficial gut bacteria.
According to Dr Berg, lemon water may also offer anti-cancer benefits. "I'm not claiming that lemon water will cure cancer, but it's a beneficial addition that may help inhibit its growth," he commented, referencing laboratory studies in which phytonutrients in lemon water eradicated malignant cells in various body parts.
The health professional further highlighted how lemon juice is advantageous in preventing kidney stones. He pointed out: "The citrate found in lemon juice interacts with oxalate, which is a key component in the most prevalent type of kidney stones-calcium oxalate stones. By having citrate in your system, it can effectively bind with oxalates, thereby reducing the likelihood of stone formation."
He also discussed the abundance of phytonutrients in lemons. These natural compounds protect plants from threats such as microbes and pests.
According to Dr Berg, these same phytonutrients may also address human health issues, including haemorrhoids, leg ulcers, circulation problems, spider veins, and varicose veins.
"One particular phytonutrient, naringin, is currently under investigation as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease," he revealed. "It also exhibits strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties."
However, it's crucial to note that lemon water isn't a magic bullet for high cholesterol and should not be seen as the sole treatment method. For personalised advice on managing cholesterol, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian.
Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet, while cutting down on saturated and trans fats, is beneficial for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and overall health. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking are also key components in effectively managing cholesterol and other health issues.
When it comes to consuming lemon juice, Dr Beg highlights common errors in a different video. He advises against drinking it immediately before a meal, recommending a gap of at least 30 minutes.
He also warns about not diluting lemon juice sufficiently or failing to use a straw, which can help mitigate its acidic impact on your teeth. Additionally, for those with alkalosis, he cautions that lemon juice could exacerbate the condition.
Dr Berg has sounded a warning for those suffering from ulcers or gastritis to steer clear of lemon water, cautioning that it could result in an uncomfortable burning sensation. He advised: "Avoid anything acidic if you have an ulcer or inflammation in the stomach", highlighting the need for individuals with such conditions to be mindful of their dietary choices.
