Lemon and detox waters do not have any effect on weight loss

Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan, the Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Health Sciences, stated that lemon and detox waters, which are sometimes included in diet lists claiming to be effective in losing weight, do not have a slimming effect. She mentioned that such recommendations are not realistic. Alphan emphasized that losing weight by eating lemons or drinking lemon juice is not possible, as the body burns the fat tissue it previously accumulated to compensate for the lack of energy when energy-providing nutrients are consumed in low amounts. According to her, lemon does not melt fat.
Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan, debunking claims that lemons have an effect on weight loss, said that excess weight in the body mostly consists of fat.
Alphan pointed out that eating lemons or drinking lemon juice does not lead to weight loss, as when energy-providing nutrients are consumed in low amounts, the body burns the fat tissue it previously accumulated to compensate for the lack of energy. She explained that lemon does not melt fat, comparing it to a simple experiment where lemon is squeezed onto margarine or butter, and the fat does not melt or mix with lemon juice poured onto liquid oil. Therefore, she stated that losing weight by eating lemons or drinking lemon juice is not feasible, and body fat cannot be eliminated.
Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan recommended opting for fruits with low energy value when feeling hungry instead of consuming junk food. She emphasized that when feeling hungry, fruits such as lemons or other fruits can be preferred over snacks like cookies and biscuits with high energy density, helping to suppress hunger without consuming a significant amount of energy. This applies not only to lemons but also to energy-low fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, peaches, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuces. By filling the contracted stomach with low-energy foods, the intake of high-energy foods is prevented.
Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan warned about detox waters prepared by adding various vegetables and fruits like lemon, mint, and parsley to water, which have gained popularity in recent years. She mentioned that these beverages have become trendy, even in places where communal meals are served. Alphan advised ensuring that the vegetables are thoroughly washed before adding them to water, as otherwise, unwashed vegetables may introduce agricultural and insecticides from the field, as well as microbes from the hands of the preparers, into the water, leading to health problems.
Prof. Dr. Emel Alphan also drew attention to beverages claimed to have slimming effects under the guise of detox. She completed her statements by saying that there are recipes circulating, especially targeting individuals who want to lose weight, suggesting that lemon and various vegetables are added to water to create drinks with diuretic and slimming effects. She clarified that these claims are highly misleading and unrealistic, as these mixtures added to water have no benefits other than altering the water’s taste to encourage increased water intake.