Watch any TikTok influencer’s “What I Eat all Day” video, and chances are they’ll claim to start their day with lemonade. There are many claims about this drink, from its alleged “detoxifying” properties to hydrating you better than regular water – but are they legal?
“There’s no evidence that lemonade is more hydrating than plain water,” says dietitian Alissa Ramsey, author of The Indedefensible Diet. One reason people might find they’re more hydrated when switching to lemonade, she said, is that “sometimes people find it easier to drink flavored water than plain water – so if it helps you drink more water, that’s great.”
Lemon water does contain a little vitamin C because lemons are a citrus fruit. However, this vitamin is not enough to support the claim that lemonade is better than plain water. Brenna O ‘Malley is a non-dietary dietitian and owner of The Wellful, a non-dietary community and virtual private practice in San Francisco. She points out that while our bodies detoxify, it’s a natural process through the kidneys. We do need to stay hydrated to allow our kidneys to function optimally, she says, “but you don’t need lemonade to help you along the way.”
“By keeping the body hydrated, we can encourage the kidneys to flush toxins out of the body, which is part of their natural process,” O ‘Malley explained. “There is no evidence that vitamin C or lemon juice supports this process.”
In general, there are some potential benefits to adding lemons to your diet — yes, a squeeze in your morning glass of water. According to integrative internist Dr. Taz Bhatia, who hosts the “Super Women’s Health” podcast, lemons contain pectin, a soluble fiber that AIDS digestion.
Lemonade may not be a panacea for every ailment, but it can find a place in a person’s diet. If the smell of plain water makes you nauseous, then squeezing a can of lemon juice might make you want to drink water instead of another can of Diet Coke. While lemonade isn’t particularly beneficial, the experts Yahoo Life spoke to say staying hydrated is the most important thing.
“Finding ways you enjoy to staying hydrated, whether that’s with plain water, lemon water or rotating flavors can be a great way to add variety and enjoy your drink a bit more,” O’Malley says.
For people who don’t like plain water, she suggests using tea bags, cucumber, fruits or seltzer waters, which “can all add some flavor.”
“Things other than water also count towards your hydration, like teas, juices, smoothies,” O’Malley adds. “Some people really like the water bottles that have fun sayings on them to remind you to drink throughout the day, or adding in some physical reminders to fill up — like when you get up from your desk to bring your bottle to fill up, or having a goal to fill up your glass before and after lunch.”