Is Lemon Water Good For Detox?

Is drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning good for detox?

You’ll find the science-based answer in this article.

What does lemon water contain?

Lemon water consists of the juice of lemons (Citrus limon) mixed with water.

Lemon juice, in turn, is rich in1,2,3,4:

  • Citric acid (50g/L)
  • Vitamin C (53mg/L)
  • Hesperidin (370 mg/L)
  • Water-soluble pectins (307 mg/L)

Is lemon water good for detox?

We determined if the main components of lemon juice had detoxifying effects on your body, and here’s what we found:

1. Citric acid

Citric acid is a weak organic acid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits.

It is also an intermediate in the Krebs cycle, a series of chemical reactions that generate energy in your body.

Light and heavy metal detox

Citric acid is used in the industry as a chelating agent to remove heavy metals from commercially-available fruit juices, contaminated sewage, and soil5,6,7.

It also induces the excretion of aluminum and is, therefore, an effective agent for preventing aluminum intoxication8.

Citric acid removes the following toxic metals5,6,7,8:

  • Aluminum
  • Cadmium
  • Copper
  • Lead
  • Nickel

Related: How To Detox Aluminum From The Body

Bacterial and fungal toxins removal

Endotoxins are toxins produced by some bacteria.

A study has shown that citric acid detoxifies endotoxins from the brain and liver9.

Besides, aflatoxins are cancer-causing toxins produced by molds from the Aspergillus species.

Research has reported that citric acid removes aflatoxins from rice10.

Kidney stones dissolution

Kidney stones are crystals formed from calcium that accumulate in the kidneys.

They can cause severe pain in the kidneys.

Studies have reported that citric acid dissolves kidney stones1,11.

Citric acid summary

Thanks to its high citric acid content, lemon water is good for detoxifying toxic metals, bacterial and fungal toxins, and dissolving kidney stones.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin in fruits and vegetables.

It is essential for the proper functioning of the human body and prevents scurvy.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

Moreover, vitamin C has numerous health benefits. It reduces allergic reactions and boosts the immune system, helping to fight off infections12.

Heavy metal detox

A study has shown that vitamin C accelerates the excretion of lead13.

It also detoxifies cadmium and mercury14.

Indeed, vitamin C is an antioxidant and enzymatic co-factor in the body’s heavy metal detoxification process14.

Radiation detox

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C protects the body against radiation.

It scavenges reactive oxygen species produced after radiation exposure15,16.

Also, it reduces DNA damage levels after abdominal contrast-enhanced CT examination17.

Moreover, vitamin C protects against cesium-induced chromosome damage and removes strontium from the body18,19.

Pollutants detox

Researchers have shown that vitamin C lowers the levels of pollutants, such as pesticides, PCBs, and PBDEs, in the blood of healthy women20.

It detoxifies the following pesticides20,21,22,23:

  • Organochlorine pesticides
  • Deltamethrin
  • Endosulfan
  • Quinalphos

Alcohol and drug detox

A study has revealed that vitamin C protects against alcohol-induced toxicity in brain cells24.

Furthermore, it reduces the withdrawal symptoms of heroin addicts25.

Vitamin C summary

Owing to its high vitamin C content, lemon water is good for heavy metals, radiation, pollutants, alcohol, and drug detox.

3. Hesperidin

Hesperidin is a major flavonoid in lemons, sweet oranges, and other fruits and vegetables26.

It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerosis properties26.

Heavy metal detox

Researchers have shown that by scavenging free radicals, hesperidin reduces the toxicity of the following heavy metals27,28,29,30:

  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Nickel

Related: 10 Best Heavy Metal Detox Supplements

Radiation detox

Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, hesperidin has protective effects against ionizing radiation, including in the following tissues31,32,33,34:

  • Lung tissue
  • Bone marrow
  • Skin

Related: How To Detox From Radiation Exposure Naturally

Chemicals detox

Studies have reported that hesperidin protects against the toxicity of chemicals such as34,35,36:

  • Alcohol
  • Paraquat (a herbicide)
  • Acrylamide
  • Tetrachloride
  • Cyclophosphamide

Hesperidin summary

Given that lemon water contains a high amount of hesperidin, it is good for detoxifying heavy metals, radiation, and chemicals from your body.

4. Pectins

Pectins are water-soluble carbohydrate acids in the cell walls of numerous fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits.

Heavy metal detox

Pectins have the capacity to adsorb heavy metals, such as37,38:

  • Cadmium
  • Cobalt
  • Copper
  • Cesium
  • Lead
  • Nickel

They also have cytoprotective and antioxidant effects against cadmium and mercury39.

Radiation detox

A study has reported that dietary pectin protects intestinal stem cells from ionizing radiation, promoting their survival40.

Also, orange and apple pectin protect against gamma ionizing radiation41.

Moreover, research revealed that apple pectin reduced radioactive cesium in Chernobyl children42.

Related: 13 Benefits Of A Bentonite Clay Detox Drink

Pollutant detox

Pectin is an antioxidant that absorbs free radicals43.

Research has shown that pectin reduces the environmental pollutant p,p’-DDE from body tissues44.

Pectin summary

Thanks to its high content of soluble pectins, lemon water is good for heavy metal, radiation, and pollutants detox.

Is lemon water good for liver detox?

Lemon water detoxifies heavy metals, pollutants, and radiation from different organs, including the liver.

As a result, lemon detox water boosts energy levels, helps weight loss, lowers blood pressure, and protects the digestive system.

Related: 3 Best Liver Cleanse Juice Recipes

Is lemon water acidic to the body?

Lemon juice is acidic with a pH of 3. However, once ingested, it becomes alkaline, with a pH above 7, and alkalizes your body.

Related: How To Alkalize Your Body Fast

Is the sugar in lemon water bad for health?

The sugar in fruits is not bad for health because it is mixed with fibers, including soluble pectins, which slow down its penetration into your body.

Thus, the intestinal cells consume most of the fructose they absorb, and very little reaches the liver, where it transforms into fat.

Does lemon water damage enamel?

Lemon water can have an erosive effect on your tooth enamel.

When drinking it regularly, it is best to use an eco-friendly straw.

How to make lemon water for detox (Recipe)

To make lemon water for detox, squeeze half a fresh lemon into 8 ounces of warm or cold water.

You can also add mint leaves, cucumber, or ginger juice.

Drink this delicious concoction in the morning on an empty stomach.

Related: 13 Health Benefits Of Diatomaceous Earth

Summary: Is lemon water good for detox?

Drinking lemon water is good for detox thanks to its high content of citric acid, vitamin C, hesperidin, and pectin.

Owing to these components, lemon water cleanses heavy metals, pollutants, and radiation from your body.

A lemon water drink can also dissolve kidney stones and detoxify alcohol and drugs, and bacterial and fungal toxins.

As a result, drinking lemon water boosts your energy levels, protects your gastrointestinal tract, clears your skin, and helps you lose weight.

Related: Dr. Oz’s Swimsuit Weight Loss Drink

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