Lemon juice is one of the healthiest, most refreshing, and most versatile ingredients in the kitchen. It can be added to water to make detox water for better hydration or added to recipes for its distinctive flavor.
It is also used to prevent oxidation and its associated browning of fruits and vegetables, such as when cooks sprinkle it over avocados or apples.
Today, it has become a trend or “miracle cure” for people to boil lemons or lemon peels in water to treat various ailments. Drinking this lemon-flavored water is said to treat various problems from acne to obesity and immune deficiency.
Have you been wondering whether boiled lemon juice in water is really an effective natural remedy or just another old wives tale?
In this article, to keep you informed, we are sharing what happens when you boil lemon juice and whether or not it is beneficial to your health!
Boiling Lemon Juice
1. It becomes more concentrated
Lemon juice tends to reduce whenever it is boiled for any length of time, meaning that some of its water evaporates. Eventually, it takes on a syrupy consistency. Because of this, it will become more concentrated and its acidic flavor more pronounced.
2. Flavor and color changes
With boiling, the lemony taste becomes less fresh and bright. The color may darken to a dull amber rather than being a clear light yellow.
3. Depletes vitamin C
Fresh lemon juice contains good amounts of vitamin C. One lemon contains about 30 mg of the nutrient, which is about half of the recommended daily allowance. As we know, this has health benefits.
However, heating lemon juice causes the vitamin C in it to denature at temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celcius).
Heat’s destructive effects increase hugely at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celcius) and further at 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Fahrenheit). We haven’t even got to boiling yet! So, boiling lemons in water destroys most of the highly beneficial vitamin C content.
That said, consuming boiled lemon juice and water can certainly benefit your health if by drinking it, you take in more water. Let’s look at some of the benefits:
Benefits of Drinking Boiled Lemon Water
- Keeps you hydrated
If you are someone who struggles to drink their recommended eight glasses of plain water a day, you may find lemon water more palatable. Dehydration causes many unpleasant symptoms such as muscle cramps, headaches, dry skin, and fatigue. Lemon water can prevent these.
- Helps you avoid unhealthy artificially flavored beverages
Many people drink sugar, artificially flavored and colored sodas, sports drinks, and other beverages instead of pure water. Low-calorie lemon water provides a refreshing, healthy alternative. Boiled lemon water is free of added sugar, additives, and preservatives.
- May prevent kidney stones
Some research suggests that lemon water might prevent kidney stones. These hard calcium deposits that form in the kidneys can be extremely painful.
Lemon water is thought to help because lemons are high in citric acid. This binds to calcium and prevents kidney stones from forming.
- Might support weight loss efforts
As part of a well-balanced, calorie-reduced diet, boiled lemon water is a good beverage to use every day. However, it is not because there is anything special in the lemon but because the water supports weight loss.
Studies have shown that increasing your water intake increases satiety thereby helping you to eat less and preventing intake of unhealthy, calorie-laden drinks.
Conclusion
If you enjoy the taste of lemons more than that of plain water, boiling water with lemon juice is a great option to keep hydrated.
However, aside from its possible prevention of kidney stones, most of boiled lemon water’s health benefits come from the water rather than the lemon.