Lemon water is pretty popular. It’s offered as a free upgrade to regular water at pretty much all restaurants. Some people drink it simply because they prefer the taste, but some are devotees of the purported health benefits. In truth, not a lot of studies have been done on lemon water specifically, but we do understand quite a bit about lemon and water separately. Both are very good for you.
And, there is a ton of anecdotal evidence from people who swear by lemon water for a variety of health boosts. Taken daily, you should be able to tell if it helps you within about 7 days. Here’s what may happen if you take up the lemon water habit.
1. Easier weight loss
Studies in mice indicate that the polyphenol antioxidants in lemons can reduce weight gain despite a high-fat diet. Insulin resistance was also improved in these mice. More studies are needed to determine if the results can be duplicated in humans, but anecdotal evidence is favorable.
People who drink lemon water regularly report easier weight loss, though it is unclear if the combination of lemon and water is the fundamental driver. It could be that drinking more water helps dieters to feel full and avoid overeating.