Introduction: Many people enjoy drinking lemon water, believing it to be good for whitening the skin and maintaining beauty, as well as for quenching thirst. However, many people have misconceptions about lemon water, such as believing that the stronger the lemon water, the better, or that it cannot be consumed during the day. So, what is the correct way to prepare and drink it?
Myth 1: Lemon water should be strong.
In fact: Lemon water is not better when it's stronger. One slice of lemon with its peel can be used to make 3-4 glasses of water.
Some people think lemon water should be strong, but in reality, one slice of lemon is enough for a large bottle of water. This kind of lemon water isn't too sour and can be drunk without adding sugar or honey, making it lower in calories. The lemon must be used with its peel, and the slices should be thin, as the peel contains more flavonoids, which might be even more beneficial than the pulp. Lemon essential oil is also primarily found in the peel. Cutting it thinly allows the aroma from the peel to infuse more easily. Lemon peels, like other citrus peels, contain some bitter flavonoids, such as hesperidin and naringin, but these are also beneficial components. A slight bitterness, combined with the sourness, makes it even more refreshing when consumed on a hot day.
Myth 2: Lemon water cannot be consumed during the day.
In fact: There are no time restrictions for drinking lemon water in daily life. If you want to drink more of it, it's best to have it after a meal.
Some people have heard that lemon is a "photosensitive food" and worry that drinking it during the day will cause dark spots or make the skin darker. However, this claim is limited to rumors online, and there is no scientific research to support it. Rumors circulating on social media even claim that Vitamin C is a photosensitive substance. If that were true, since fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of Vitamin C, it would mean people couldn't eat any of them during the day, which is clearly an absurd conclusion.
Honey Lemon Water
Myth 3: Lemon must be steeped in cold water.
In fact: Lemon water tastes better when steeped in warm or hot water.
Some people say you shouldn't use hot water for lemon water, fearing that the Vitamin C will be lost. However, if you use cold water, the aroma may not infuse properly. Due to the high acidity of lemons, Vitamin C is relatively heat-stable in acidic conditions and is not as easily lost as one might imagine. Using water with a temperature above 60°C (140°F) to steep lemon slices is perfectly fine.
Myth 4: People with stomach problems cannot drink lemon water.
In fact: People with stomach issues can also drink lemon water. Using one slice of lemon to steep a large bottle of water will not cause an ulcer.
Some insist that people with stomach problems should not drink lemon water because the acidity is too irritating to the stomach, and it's even worse for those with excess stomach acid. In fact, as long as you're not drinking pure lemon juice (which has a pH of around 2.5, similar to cola), it's perfectly fine for people with stomach issues to drink lemon water. Since citric acid helps with the absorption of various minerals, Westerners often squeeze lemon juice over fish, meat, and eggs, believing it aids digestion. For those with indigestion, adding a thin slice of ginger to lemon water and drinking it with a meal can help promote the secretion of digestive fluids.
Sugar-Preserved Lemon Water
Myth 5: Drinking lemon water after consuming high-calcium foods will cause kidney stones.
In fact: Drinking lemon water after eating high-calcium foods is not harmful to health; in fact, citric acid can even help prevent kidney stones.
Some claim that lemon water cannot be consumed with foods rich in calcium, as calcium and citric acid will combine to form a precipitate and even create stones in the body. This is a rumor. Calcium citrate is slightly soluble in water (0.02g/100g water), which may seem low, but it is an excellent material for calcium supplements because it can be absorbed by the body without the need for stomach acid. Organic acids like citric acid are beneficial for the absorption of various minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc from food. Furthermore, research has shown that citric acid is beneficial for preventing kidney stones and is even used in their treatment.
Mint Lemon Water
I'll have some rice and rice
Sugar lemonade
Honey lemonade