PhysioSolutions: Can Drinking Lemon Water Help You Lose Weight?

Now that's a big piece of lemon

Paris Hilton, Beyonce, Miranda Kerr and other celebrities all drink hot water with lemons saying it aids weight loss.

Gino even put lemon slices in his filtered water on his long Saturday bike rides. But this is purely because he likes a bit of taste in his water. He also likes to add lemons and especially limes to his drinking water at home but again purely for how it tastes. He doesn't drink it to lose weight for sure.

Limes or lemons is much better for him I reckon. Gino used to drink lots of Coke and other sodas but has since stopped after his bike accident. He doesn't drink sports/ isotonic drinks while riding especially since they really cannot replace the sodium levels he loses during exercise.

Is it that simple and too good to be true?

Lemons are acidic and contains both citric and ascorbic acid, an acid believed to have antioxidant properties. They are also a good source of Vitamin C, alkalizing minerals like calcium and potassium.

As such, some dieticians suggest that lemon water can have an alkalizing effect on the body or at least help the digestive system stay in a more ideal alkaline pH level. There is however insufficient published data indicating this.

That's what drinking filtered water is supposed to do as well.

You will probably get lots of Vitamin C while drinking lemon water which many studies have shown to have immune boosting properties. The hydrating effects of water will also be beneficial to you.

Well, drinking water with lemons does not cause you to lose any weight by itself. However, if your lemon water is replacing a coffee or soda that you normally drink that has more calories and that results in a calorie deficit then you can lose weight.

Drink lemon water if to hydrate yourself and for the Vitamin C. But remember to rinse your mouth as the acidic levels in the drink can wear out the enamel in your teeth.