Every morning, the same gesture is repeated in thousands of French kitchens: before even speaking, some go to their glass of water and add a few drops of a very acidic citrus fruit. On social networks, this drink is even presented as a miracle solution to “detoxify” the body, lose weight and recharge your batteries as soon as you wake up…
It is simply lemon juice diluted in a large glass of water in the morning, on an empty stomach. A dietician-nutritionist from Béarn, interviewed by The Internet Courtexplains that this habit can provide a little hydration and vitamin C, but that it does not replace either a balanced diet or medical monitoring. Other specialists, interviewed by magazines
Medisite And Aufemininespecially remind that there are risks for the stomach and teeth. Before adopting this routine, it is therefore better to take into account its profile and the way in which you consume the lemon.
What can lemon juice really do on an empty stomach?
Nutritionally, lemon mainly provides vitamin C and antioxidants. According to the Anses Ciqual tables, it contains around 45 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, or almost 40% of the recommended daily intake for an average fruit. Mixed with water in the morning, it allows you to rehydrate after the night and can provide a slight feeling of tone.
Concerning its “detox” effect, doctors questioned by
Medisite remind us that the liver and kidneys eliminate toxins naturally, continuously, without the need for a miracle drink. A dietitian cited by The Internet Court
also specifies that no study shows that lemon juice alone makes you lose weight. If some people lose a little weight, it is often because they adopt a balanced diet and better lifestyle habits at the same time.
The risks of lemon juice in the morning for enamel and stomach
Lemon juice has a pH close to 2, which makes it a very acidic drink. The newspaper Medisite recalls that this acidity can weaken tooth enamel when consumed regularly, especially pure. A study published in 2005 by theAcademy of General Dentistry has also shown that very acidic foods can cause irreversible erosion of dental enamel.
To limit these risks, specialists recommend always diluting lemon in a large quantity of water, drinking quickly rather than sipping for a long time, then rinsing your mouth after consumption. It is also advisable to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. On the side of the stomach, this acidity can accentuate certain disorders already present, such as gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis or ulcers.
Lemon juice in the morning: for whom and under what conditions?
If you have a strong stomach and healthy teeth, occasionally drinking lemon water can be a simple pleasure without any particular consequences. To adopt this drink, the Béarnaise dietitian-nutritionist recommends using a quarter to half a lemon per glass of water, two to three times a week (and not daily).
On the other hand, in the event of reflux, ulcer, tooth sensitivity, during pregnancy or in children, it is preferable to seek advice from a doctor or dentist before consuming it regularly, or even to abstain. Finally, in the context of intermittent fasting, this drink provides very few calories, but it still breaks the strictest version of fasting, which relies solely on water consumption.