What Does Lemon Juice Do for the Body?
While many doctors debunk ideas such as drinking warm water and lemon juice in the morning boosts the immune system, they do recognize that lemon juice has benefits such as improving digestion, boosting mineral absorption and detoxifying the body. These doctors also do not cite any conclusive evidence to support beliefs such as lemon juice gets rid of acne, whitens teeth or gets rid of dark spots and blemishes.
Nutritional consultant Dr. Mike Roussell says that lemon juice does have the benefits of increasing mineral absorption, detoxifying and aiding digestion. The mineral absorption benefits come from the vitamin C in lemons. Lemon also contains an antioxidant called d-limonene, which gives the fruit its detoxification properties. This antioxidant has the ability to activate enzymes in the body that prompt the detoxification process. This process converts toxins such as caffeine and ibuprofen to less harmful forms. While citric acid has some adverse effects on some people, it also improves absorption of aluminum hydroxide, a substance found in many antacids. This helps the body with digestive functions. While Dr. Roussell explains these benefits of lemon juice, no medical authorities have come forward to confirm other popular beliefs about the potential health benefits of lemon juice.
