Recently, a new trend has emerged focusing on the potential health benefits of drinking coffee combined with lemon. Many believe this beverage can help burn fat, aid weight loss, and alleviate diarrhea. While both coffee and lemon are scientifically proven to have numerous health benefits, is combining the two actually beneficial?
1. A Drink with Two Common Ingredients
Coffee and lemon are two ingredients almost universally found in kitchens, highlighting their significance in daily life.
Coffee is brewed from roasted coffee beans and is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally. Research indicates that about 75% of Americans drink coffee daily. Its caffeine content acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system, enhancing alertness and mood.
On the other hand, lemon belongs to the Citrus genus and ranks as the third most-produced citrus fruit worldwide, following oranges and tangerines. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds, lemons have long been valued for their health-promoting properties and medicinal benefits. That is also the reason why many people love to use this fruit so much. It has existed and accompanied people's lives for centuries with useful medicinal properties.
Currently, many people prepare a daily drink by combining 240ml of brewed coffee with the juice of one lemon. However, opinions are divided on whether this combination offers notable health benefits or is merely an unusual mix. So, what’s the truth?
2. Health Benefits of Coffee and Lemon
Research has shown that both coffee and lemon contribute positively to overall health, primarily due to their high antioxidant content. Antioxidants help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Below is a summary of their individual benefits:
2.1 Benefits of Coffee
Roasted coffee beans contain over 1,000 bioactive compounds, with caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA) being the main antioxidants. These compounds may reduce the risk of several cancers, including prostate, liver, breast, endometrial, colorectal, and digestive tract cancers.
Coffee consumption is also associated with reduced risks of liver disease, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and depression. Additionally, caffeine boosts energy, improves endurance performance, and promotes calorie burning, which may contribute to weight loss.
Additionally, coffee helps reduce the risk of liver disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression. Furthermore, the caffeine content in coffee enhances energy levels, positively impacts performance during endurance exercises, boosts calorie burning, and thereby supports effective weight loss.
2.2 Benefits of Lemon
Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids, both of which are powerful antioxidants. They may lower the risk of cancers such as stomach, esophageal, breast, and pancreatic cancer. Additionally, these compounds benefit cardio-vasular system health, while vitamin C strengthens the immune system, helping to fight infections.
Thus, it is evident that both coffee and lemon offer distinct health benefits, particularly in protecting the body from chronic diseases and cancer. However, combining these two ingredients does not necessarily create a beverage with enhanced effects.
Trắc nghiệm: Muối trong thực phẩm, natri, huyết áp và sức khỏe của bạn
Muối, natri là chất khoáng cần thiết cho cơ thể để duy trì hoạt động ổn định. Tuy nhiên, chế độ ăn thừa muối có nguy cơ cao dẫn tới các vấn đề sức khỏe nghiêm trọng. Cùng làm bài trắc nghiệm sau đây để hiểu hơn về những ảnh hưởng của các khoáng chất này tới huyết áp và sức khỏe bạn thế nào nhé.
Nguồn tham khảo: webmd.com
3. Claims About the Benefits of Coffee and Lemon
Here are four popular claims regarding the health benefits of drinking coffee with lemon:
3.1 Claim No.1 : Burns Fat
Lemon is often associated with fat-burning properties, but drinking coffee and lemon together does not directly eliminate body fat. Effective fat loss occurs through a calorie deficit or increased fat burning during activity. Thus, this claim is false.
However, research suggests that coffee can aid weight loss due to its caffeine content. Caffeine activates brown adipose tissue (BAT), which helps metabolize carbs and fats. The weight loss benefits are primarily linked to coffee's caffeine, not the combination with lemon.
Researchers also added that the amount of caffeine in a standard 8-ounce (240 ml) cup of coffee can enhance the activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT), leading to an increase in metabolism rate and effective weight loss. This means that the potential weight loss effect may come from the caffeine in the coffee, rather than the combination of coffee and lemon.
3.2 Claim No. 2: Relieves Headaches
Currently, more and more people under the age of 50 are suffering from headaches or migraines. As a result, finding convenient home remedies is becoming more common. However, there are differing opinions among scientists regarding the use of coffee to alleviate headaches.
One theory suggests that the caffeine in coffee can reduce headaches by decreasing blood flow to the head, due to caffeine's vasoconstrictive effect (which means it narrows blood vessels). Additionally, caffeine may enhance the effectiveness of medications for headaches or migraines.
However, another opinion holds that caffeine itself can be a trigger for headaches in certain situations, especially when combined with other foods or drinks, such as lemon, chocolate, or alcohol.
Therefore, if you drink coffee with lemon and feel your headache improve, it is likely due to the caffeine in the coffee, rather than the combination of coffee and lemon.
3.3 Claim No.3: Alleviates Diarrhea
Some people consume coffee grounds mixed with lemon juice as a remedy for diarrhea. However, there is no scientific evidence to support lemon's ability to treat diarrhea. Moreover, coffee’s diuretic effect may worsen dehydration associated with diarrhea.
3.4 Claim No.4: Benefits Skin
Both coffee and lemon are rich in antioxidants, which benefit the skin. Coffee's chlorogenic acid (CGA) improves blood flow and skin hydration, while lemon’s vitamin C promotes collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity and reducing sun damage. However, there is no evidence that combining coffee and lemon provides superior skin benefits.
4. Potential Downsides of Coffee with Lemon
The drawbacks of drinking coffee with lemon stem from the limitations of each ingredient:
-Coffee: The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that frequent coffee consumption may lead to caffeine addiction and sleep disorders. High caffeine intake is also linked to an increased risk of miscarriage during pregnancy.
-Lemon: While rare, some people may be allergic to lemon juice, seeds, or peel.
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Article referenced source: healthline.com