Usually, one tablespoon of lemon juice is enough to mix with 250 mL of water. An increase in lemon juice tablespoons, and vice versa, will follow an increase in water quantity.

n=250mL×n

n=No of lemon juice tablespoons

A good-sized lemon yields around 2-3 tablespoons. ⁽¹⁾

For 250mL of water, the recipe includes;

• Half lemon
• Few leaves of mint
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• Few Lemon slices
• Black pepper
• A small slice of ginger
• Ice cubes(as per need)

You can squeeze a lemon with your hands, juice, or a citrus reamer.

After mixing with water, add honey, salt, black pepper, and ginger to make it more delicious. Add mint, lemon slices and ice cubes to garnish and chill. Finally, lemon water is ready to serve!

Lemon contains;⁽²⁾

• Flavonoids(flavanones, flavanols, and flavones)
• Limonoids
• Phenolic and carboxylic acids(citric acid)
• Coumarins
• Amino acids
• Carbohydrates
• Vitamins and minerals

Lemon is a rich source of citric acid, i.e. 1.6g/oz. ⁽³⁾

A study conducted on mice revealed that lemon polyphenols have strong anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects. They also reduce leptin and insulin resistance. ^(4,5,6)

Another study reveals that lemon extracts increase HDL levels and decrease LDL(bad cholesterol) levels by stimulating liver cytochrome. ⁽⁷⁾

D-limonene, a lemon extract, can suppress gluconeogenesis and circulating blood sugar levels, thus preventing diabetes and fat deposition. ^(8,9)

Several studies indicate various benefits that an individual can have after consuming lemon juice/water besides weight loss, i.e.,

• Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties⁽¹⁰⁾
• Anti-bacterial properties (e.g. E. faecalis, E. coli & H. pylori etc.)⁽¹¹⁾
• Hepato-renal protection(citric acid inhibits kidney stone formation)⁽¹²⁾
• Promoting cardiovascular health⁽¹³⁾
• Short term memory improvement⁽¹⁴⁾
• Bone density improvement by decreasing bone resorption⁽¹⁵⁾
• Tumour impression properties^(16,17)

As lemon water contains citric acid and other such components, it can cause tooth enamel erosion and pyrosis(burning sensation in stomach).

Drinking lemon water in the morning is more beneficial than in the evening. Its antioxidant properties can reduce stress and inflammation. Moreover, growth hormone levels are high in the morning, which can exert a lipolytic effect in addition to lemon water.

Lemon peel contains several flavonoids that have various health benefits. However, it can’t be taken orally, but can be used in cooking.

1. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-much-juice-is-in-one-lemon/
2. Klimek-Szczykutowicz M, Szopa A, Ekiert H. Citrus limon(Lemon) Phenomenon-A Review of the Chemistry, Pharmacological Properties, Applications in the Modern Pharmaceutical, Food, and Cosmetics Industries, and Biotechnological Studies. Plants (Basel). 2020 Jan 17;9(1):119. doi: 10.3390/plants9010119. PMID: 31963590; PMCID: PMC7020168.
3. Penniston KL, Nakada SY, Holmes RP, Assimos DG. Quantitative assessment of citric acid in lemon juice, lime juice, and commercially-available fruit juice products. J Endourol. 2008 Mar;22(3):567-70. doi: 10.1089/end.2007.0304. PMID: 18290732; PMCID: PMC2637791.
4. Goetz, P. Citrus limon(L.) Burm. f. (Rutacées) citronnier. Phytothérapie 12, 116–121 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10298-014-0854-6
5. Fukuchi Y, Hiramitsu M, Okada M, Hayashi S, Nabeno Y, Osawa T, Naito M. Lemon Polyphenols Suppress Diet-induced Obesity by Up-Regulation of mRNA Levels of the Enzymes Involved in beta-Oxidation in Mouse White Adipose Tissue. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2008 Nov;43(3):201-9. doi: 10.3164/jcbn.2008066. Epub 2008 Oct 31. PMID: 19015756; PMCID: PMC2581754.
6. Li Jing, Yu Zhang, Shengjie Fan, Ming Gu, Yu Guan, Xiong Lu, Cheng Huang, Zhiqin Zhou, Preventive and ameliorating effects of citrus d-limonene on dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity, European Journal of Pharmacology, Volume 715, Issues 1–3, 2013, Pages 46-55, ISSN 0014-2999, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.06.022.
7. Millet, F. Huiles essentielles et essence de citronnier (Citrus limon(L.) Burm. f.). Phytothérapie 12, 89–97 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10298-014-0857-3
8. Bacanlı M, Anlar HG, Aydın S, Çal T, Arı N, Ündeğer Bucurgat Ü, Başaran AA, Başaran N. d-limonene ameliorates diabetes and its complications in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017 Dec;110:434-442. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.09.020. Epub 2017 Sep 18. PMID: 28923438.
9. Ramakrishnan Murali, Ramalingam Saravanan, Antidiabetic effect of d-limonene, a monoterpene in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat, Biomedicine & Preventive Nutrition, Volume 2, Issue 4, 2012, Pages 269-275, ISSN 2210-5239, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bionut.2012.08.008.
10. Hend M. Tag, Omnia E. Kelany, Hekmat M. Tantawy, Amira A. Fahmy, Potential anti-inflammatory effect of lemon and hot pepper extracts on adjuvant-induced arthritis in mice, The Journal of Basic & Applied Zoology, Volume 67, Issue 5, 2014, Pages 149-157, ISSN 2090-9896, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobaz.2014.01.003.
11. Okeke, Malachy & Okoli, Arinze & Eze, Edith & Ekwume, Grace & Okosa, Evangelin & Iroegbu, Christian. (2015). Antibacterial activity of Citrus limonum fruit juice extract. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 28. 1567-1571.
12. Gul Z, Monga M. Medical and dietary therapy for kidney stone prevention. Korean J Urol. 2014 Dec;55(12):775-9. doi: 10.4111/kju.2014.55.12.775. Epub 2014 Nov 28. PMID: 25512810; PMCID: PMC4265710.
13. Aslani N, Entezari MH, Askari G, Maghsoudi Z, Maracy MR. Effect of Garlic and Lemon Juice Mixture on Lipid Profile and Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in People 30-60 Years Old with Moderate Hyperlipidaemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Prev Med. 2016 Jul 29;7:95. doi: 10.4103/2008-7802.187248. PMID: 27563431; PMCID: PMC4977979.
14. Liu B, Kou J, Li F, Huo D, Xu J, Zhou X, Meng D, Ghulam M, Artyom B, Gao X, Ma N, Han D. Lemon essential oil ameliorates age-associated cognitive dysfunction via modulating hippocampal synaptic density and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 May 11;12(9):8622-8639. doi: 10.18632/aging.103179. Epub 2020 May 11. PMID: 32392535; PMCID: PMC7244039.
15. Ikeda H, Iida T, Hiramitsu M, Inoue T, Aoi S, Kanazashi M, Ishizaki F, Harada T. Effects of Lemon Beverage Containing Citric Acid with Calcium Supplementation on Bone Metabolism and Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: Double-Blind 11-Month Intervention Study. J Nutr Metab. 2021 Feb 24;2021:8824753. doi: 10.1155/2021/8824753. PMID: 33728061; PMCID: PMC7935594.
16. Wang L, Wang J, Fang L, Zheng Z, Zhi D, Wang S, Li S, Ho CT, Zhao H. Anticancer activities of citrus peel polymethoxyflavones related to angiogenesis and others. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:453972. doi: 10.1155/2014/453972. Epub 2014 Aug 28. PMID: 25250322; PMCID: PMC4163462.
17. Jia S, Xi G, Zhang M, Chen Y, Lei B, Dong X and Yang Y: Induction of apoptosis by D-limonene is mediated by inactivation of Akt in LS174T human colon cancer cells. Oncol Rep 29: 349-354, 2013.