Coffee with lemon for weight loss: Benefits and side effects

People love to add lemon to a glass of warm water or a cup of black tea. But would you dare to add a little bit of lemon juice to your cup of coffee every morning and drink it on an empty stomach? The lemon and coffee combination has been touted as a weight-loss drink by netizens. Coffee may help you lose weight if you don’t go for the beverage with milk and sugar, which are packed with calories. Some also believe that lemon water helps to shed extra pounds. Does that mean coffee with lemon is a weight-loss remedy that you should experiment with?

Does drinking coffee with lemon help to lose weight?

Consumption of coffee was associated with a reduction in total body fat during a 2023 study published in the Clinical Nutrition journal. Lemon can help suppress body weight gain and accumulation of body fat, as per research published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition in 2008. But there is no scientific evidence to prove that combining coffee with lemon will help to lose weight.

“Coffee can stimulate your energy levels and metabolism, making you work harder at the gym and in turn burning calories,” says Ayurvedic and gut expert Dimple Jangda. Coffee contains caffeine which can improve metabolism and fat oxidation. Lemon can also stimulate metabolism, but it has a moderate effect and so, you should not consume multiple cups of coffee with lemon to lose weight. This combination can lead to acidity, and burning sensation in the stomach.

Are there any benefits of drinking coffee with lemon?

There are potential health benefits of this combination:

1. May reduce inflammation

During a 2013 study published in Antioxidants, coffee was found to have most antioxidants (200 to 550 mg per cup) compared to tea and red wine. “Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, and lemon also has antioxidants which can help the body reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body,” says Jangda. There is no study on the combination of coffee with lemon helping in reducing inflammation. But a 2021 review published in the Antioxidants journal showed that antioxidants in citrus food items have anti-inflammatory properties and can help in counteracting oxidative stress in the body.

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2. May boost immunity

Hundred grams of lemon as 53 mg of vitamin C, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Coffee contains antioxidants, and lemon is a rich source of vitamin C, which is good for boosting immunity.

3. Better nutrient absorption

Vitamin C, which is found in lemon in abundance, can help absorb nutrients better. “When added to coffee, it may help better absorb antioxidants and some beneficial compounds from coffee,” says the expert.

4. May be good for skin

Since both coffee and lemon have antioxidants, they may be good for skin. “Vitamin C in lemon can help improve skin health by combating free radicals in the body and getting rid of toxins. This can allow skin health to improve and give a radiant look,” says the expert. During a 2017 study published in the Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry journal, coffee was found to be effective in improving skin hydration and barrier function.

How to prepare coffee with lemon?

To make your own cup of coffee with lemon, do the following:

• Brew the coffee with some hot water. You can choose the traditional filter coffee method, French press, or simply boil the coffee on the stove top.
• Strain the coffee in a cup, and add some lemon juice. Stir and sip warm.

“Ensure to not add lemon to coffee if it contains milk, as this will erode your stomach lining and cause symptoms like indigestion, acidity, burning sensation, and diarrhea,” says the expert.

What are the side effects of drinking coffee with lemon?

Before consuming this drink, it is important to know that combining coffee with lemon may cause some health problems:

• Lemon and coffee are both acidic in nature, and the combination is not advisable for those with acidity problems, burning sensation in the stomach or diarrhea symptoms. This combination can aggravate the symptoms and cause stomach discomfort.
• If you have sensitive teeth or gums, you must avoid coffee and lemon, as this acidic combination can erode your teeth lining. During a 2015 study published in Plos One, various beverages such as sodas, apple juice, and lemon juice were compared to check tooth erosion. Researchers found lemon juice to have higher tooth erosion than most drinks.
• People suffering from sleep issues, must avoid caffeine, as caffeine blocks the effect of adenosine which allows you to fall asleep.

Combining coffee with lemon may seem like a good idea due to their potential health benefits. Even though the two have antioxidants, they may not help lose weight or offer other health benefits when combined. This combination can also lead to stomach and dental problems. You can have them separately, after all they are superfoods, but it is better not to drink them together.