Expert warns: Lemon and detox waters have no effect on weight loss

Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Health Sciences, made an assessment regarding the consumption of detox waters prepared with vegetables such as lemon, cucumber, and parsley, which have come to the fore with the influence of social media and are sometimes claimed to be effective in losing weight.

Stating that the claims that lemon has an effect on weight loss do not reflect the truth, Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan said that excess weight in the body mostly consists of fat.

''LEMON DOES NOT MELT FAT''

Stating that one cannot lose weight by eating lemons or drinking lemon juice, Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan said, “When energy-providing foods are consumed in smaller amounts, the body burns its previously stored fat tissue to close the energy gap. Lemon does not melt fat. We can understand this with a simple experiment. Squeeze lemon on margarine or butter and wait; the fat will not melt, or you will see that the lemon juice you put into liquid oil does not mix with the oil in any way. For this reason, you cannot lose weight or eliminate body fat by eating lemons or drinking lemon juice,” she said.

''LOW-ENERGY FRUITS SHOULD BE PREFERRED''

Expressing that fruits can be preferred instead of consuming junk food when feeling hungry, Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan said, “When you feel hungry, if you choose a fruit like lemon or other fruits instead of snacks with high energy density like cookies and biscuits, the feeling of hunger is suppressed a little, but no significant amount of energy is taken in. This situation applies not only to lemon but also to fruits and vegetables with very low energy values such as apples, pears, peaches, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce. In a sense, by filling the contracting stomach with low-energy foods, the intake of energy-dense foods is prevented,” she said.

''BEWARE OF DETOX WATERS''

Stating that interest in drinks prepared by putting various vegetables and fruits such as lemon, mint, and parsley into water has increased in recent years, Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan warned, “These types of drinks have become like a fashion. This topic can even come up in places where people eat together. It is possible to see parsley, mint, and lemons in pitchers on tables. While doing this, one must ensure that the vegetables are washed well. Otherwise, if these plants thrown into the water are not washed, the water can lead to health problems as agricultural and pesticides coming from the field, and even germs from the hands of those preparing them, mix into the water.”
Pointing to drinks that are claimed to cause weight loss under the name of detox, Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan concluded her words as follows:
“Recently, people who want to lose weight are given recipes where various vegetables, especially lemon, are put into water, claiming they have diuretic and slimming effects, and it is even claimed that weight loss occurs if these recipes are followed. These claims are extremely misleading and unrealistic. Other than changing the aroma of the water to ensure more water is consumed, these mixtures added to water have no benefit,” she said.