We check out which myths about lemon water and green tea are backed by science. Are both really the miracle metabolism boosting drinks they are touted to be?
These days, everyone swears by the benefits of a glass of warm water with lemon juice, or cup of green tea, sometimes a mix of both drinks. There’s great for weight loss, indigestion, detoxification, fighting disease… the health claims are numerous. But is there any research to back these claims? Read on, to find out.
Myth 1: Green tea aids weight loss
Many say that drinking green tea will help you to slim down quickly. Some even say drinking green tea regularly can do wonders for your metabolism, since it contains antioxidants called catechins. But there is no scientific evidence to support these theories.
Experts say there is no overnight solution to weight loss. Instead, the long term strategy for weight loss and management is to make healthy lifestyle changes. In the end, there’s no fast track substitute for regular exercise and controlled eating.
Myth 2: Drinking warm lemon water kick starts your metabolism
Lemon water became popular in the 1940s, with the much-hyped ‘Master Cleanse diet.’ Since then, celebrities around the world today ritualistically drink gallons of this potion.
Naturopaths say that lemon water stimulates enzyme functions in the body and flushes out toxins. Because it’s a mild diuretic, you might increase your visits to the loo. But there’s no large study to support these findings.
Myth 3: Lemon water helps you detox and eliminate fat
Lemon juice is a good source of Vitamin C and also contains small amounts of iron, calcium, and antioxidants. But there is no evidence to prove that lemon water has an alkalising or detoxing effect on the body.
Since the liver eliminates toxins from everything we eat and drink, flushing your system with lemon water can’t really ‘detox’ your body any more than the liver does. So, do ignore the claims that lemon water balances pH levels.
Myth 4: A cup of green tea a day keeps cancer away
Although a lot of research has gone into studying the benefits of green tea, there isn’t much strong evidence to prove all of them. Green tea’s biggest benefit lies in its high content of anti-oxidants called catechins, which prevent and fight cell damage.
Owing to this compound, green tea is said to have a positive outcome on those with diseases, like cancer. But studies to support this are minimal, at the moment. What we do know, though, is that green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.
Myth 5: Green tea is a good substitute for water
The answer is no! No drink can substitute for water. On the contrary, drinking green tea in large quantities (more than 8 to 10 cups a day) can lead to dehydration. The thing is, green tea contains caffeine. Though this is less than what coffee contains, it’s still enough to act as a diuretic.