Lemon coffee is a mixture of drinking coffee with half a lemon squashed, with or without lemon slices and peels. Lemon is rich in carbohydrates, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, potassium, and phosphorus. Half a lemon provides 17.2 mg of Vitamin C which is 19.1% of daily recommended intake for males and 23% for females.
Drinking coffee and lemon have many individual health benefits. Contrary to the popular claims, evidence shows that a combination of the two does not enhance their individual health benefits. Both drinking coffee and lemon improve heart health, digestion, and skin health. They are also a rich source of antioxidants which act against inflammation and reduce risk of cancer. Furthermore, drinking coffee has caffeine which helps reduce weight but lemon doesn’t aid in burning fat and calories.
On the other hand, lemon coffee has some health risks. It can cause heartburn, erosion of dental enamel, citrus allergy, and coffee jitters. However, people still consume coffee with lemon to enjoy the unique blend of flavors. Adding half a lemon in almost any coffee drink like black coffee, latte, cappuccino, mocha, etc can give a tangy and less bitter taste.
What are the benefits of drinking coffee with lemon?
The benefits of drinking coffee with lemon are controversial. Although there are many individual benefits of coffee and lemon, there is no substantial evidence backing the combined benefits of drinking coffee with lemon. Following image lists some of the individual benefits of drinking coffee and lemon which may potentiate while drinking them together.
- Improves heart health
Drinking coffee and lemon consumed individually improves heart health through various methods. The studies from Annals of Internal Medicine, Clinica Chimica Acta, Journal Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, and American Journal of Cardiology provide evidence for it.
Drinking 2-3 cups (16-24 fl.oz.) of coffee everyday prevents coronary heart disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and stroke according to a study published in the Journal Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine.
A study published in the The American Journal of Cardiology found an association between regular coffee drinking and mild hypertensive patients taken from the Framingham study. The results found that consuming more than one cup (>8 fl.oz.) of coffee daily was associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease mortality and heart valve disease.
Similarly, Vitamin C rich fruits like lemon have a protective effect on coronary heart disease, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Consuming 24 grams of lemon citrus fibers daily for a month reduces blood cholesterol levels as stated in a study published in Nutrition Research. Lemon contains hesperidin, a plant compound, that reduces cholesterol levels according to a study published in Clinica Chimica Acta.
- Reduces risk of cancer
Both drinking coffee and lemon taken separately reduces the risk of cancer. The antioxidants found in drinking coffee and lemon prevent cell damage which decreases oxidative stress and cancer, consequently.
The antioxidants found in drinking coffee are chlorogenic, ferulic, caffeic, trigonelline, cafestol, kahweol, and phenylalanines. These prevent oxidative stress and reduce risk of multiple cancers in regular coffee consumers and it is illustrated in the graphic below.
A meta-analysis in the International Journal of Food Properties concludes that drinking 2 cups (16 fl.oz.) of coffee regularly decreases risk of multiple cancers like oral, pharynx, liver, colon, endometrial cancer and melanoma. Drinking coffee regularly prevents prostate cancer due to its antioxidants and antiinflammatory properties, according to a study published in Biomed Research Journal.
Lemon reduces cancer risk as it is a rich-source of antioxidants which helps prevent oxidative stress and cell damage. Hesperidin and eriocitrin found in lemon are the compounds responsible for antioxidant activity of lemon, according to a study in the Food Science and Technology International, Tokyo.
Lemon has D-limonene which provides chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects against many tumor types, according to P L Crowell et al. in the study ”Chemoprevention and therapy of cancer by d-limonene”. Nutrients in lemon may reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to another study published by Jinhee Kim in the Journal of Food & Function.
- Provides antioxidants
Drinking coffee and lemon taken individually or together provides plenty of antioxidants. Solid literature evidence is available in Journal: Antioxidants, Journal of American Medical Association, and Journal of Food Chemistry.
Drinking coffee provides polyphenolic antioxidants, such as chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, and n-coumarinic acids. According to a study in the Journal: Antioxidants, one cup (8 fl.oz.) of drinking coffee contains 200 mg of chlorogenic acid.
Drinking coffee has antiradical effects that prevent free radicals linked with cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Drinking coffee counters plaque formation and prevents cardiovascular diseases as stated in the Journal of American Medical Association.
On the other hand, lemon is also a rich antioxidant source and can be used with a variety of drinks like coffee, according to a study in the Baghdad Science Journal. Plant compounds like hesperidin, eriocitrin found in lemon are the most powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, according to a study published in the Journal of Antioxidants in 2021.
The antioxidant capacity in Hesperidin prevents the buildup of fatty deposits inside arteries and increases capillary resistance, as described in a study in the Journal of Food Chemistry.
- Helps in skin care
Drinking coffee helps in skin care due to the presence of antioxidants and polyphenols, while lemon aids in skin care due to Vitamin C and flavonoids. The studies from the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, Cosmetics, and Medicinal and Health Benefits of Lemon provide concrete evidence for it.
Lemon is beneficial to the skin due to the presence of vitamin C and flavonoids which are class-1 antioxidants, according to a study “Medicinal and Health Benefits of Lemon” published in 2021. Vitamin C in lemon stimulates production of collagen increasing strength and elasticity of the skin.
Lemon extract helps in treating skin tissue damage that occurs due to aging, as stated by authors in a study in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology in 2017.
Drinking coffee also provides antioxidants that prevent skin aging, according to the Journal of Cosmetics. Satoko Fukagawa from Kao Corp states that polyphenols in drinking coffee help treat skin conditions like xerosis by increasing blood flow and decreasing oxidative stress.
The image below shows how drinking coffee helps in skin care.
- Improves digestion
Drinking coffee improves digestion through secretion of stomach acids whereas lemon helps in digestion through a soluble fiber called pectin and a pigment called flavonoids. Substantial evidence backs these individual benefits of drinking coffee and lemon.
Pectin and flavonoids in lemon promote production of digestive enzymes. They also stimulate the digestive system and increase the secretion of digestive juices to break down the macromolecules of the food, according to a study published in Journal of Science and Technology.
Drinking coffee stimulates the secretion and production of gastrin and hydrochloric acid that aids in digestion, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrients.
How does lemon coffee help with weight loss?
Lemon coffee may help in weight loss due to the individual effects of caffeine on burning fat and suppressing appetite. However, lemon does not assist in potentiating this effect. There is no substantial evidence that lemons aid in weight loss. Dietitian Beth Czerwony Lemonds says “that there is nothing in lemon juice that burns fat or a chemical mechanism to make it happen”.
On the other hand, drinking coffee aids in weight loss by increasing metabolic rate and suppressing the appetite. According to research in the Food Research International Journal, 90 healthy individuals consuming 500-600 mg caffeine or 5-6 coffee cups (40-48 fl.oz.) daily for 4 weeks showed a decrease in body mass index, and regulation of satiety.
One way lemon coffee can aid in weight reduction is by replacing high-calorie coffee additives like cream with low-calorie lemon. Drinking low-calorie black coffee in the morning with half a lemon can reduce calorie intake, increase metabolism, and promote weight loss while giving you a unique flavor profile.
Does coffee with lemon burn belly fat?
No, coffee with lemon does not burn belly fat. There is no literature proof showing that combination or independent intake of coffee and lemon targets belly fat. Only a single research published in the Research and Reviews: Journal of Mechanics and Machines concludes that lemon intake might decrease stomach fat.
What are the Health Risks of Drinking Coffee with Lemon?
Is drinking coffee with lemon bad for you? The answer is yes. The following are the health risks of drinking coffee with lemon.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can cause heartburn.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can cause erosion of dental enamel.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can trigger citrus allergy.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can cause coffee jitters.
The diagram lists the abovementioned health risks of drinking coffee with lemon.
The researches from Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Plos One Journal, and Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry (JOCPD) back these claims.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can cause heartburn
Drinking coffee with lemon causes heartburn because lemon contains citric acid and caffeine in coffee stimulates secretion of stomach acid leading to high levels of acidity in the stomach. High stomach acidity causes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms like nausea and heartburn.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology supports this as they found that drinking caffeinated coffee is associated with increased risk of GERD symptoms.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can cause erosion of dental enamel
Drinking coffee with lemon increases the risk of erosion of dental enamel. Acidic food and drinks like coffee and lemon softens the enamel surface leading to degradation of teeth. Somchai Wongkhantee from Thailand states drinking acidic beverages like coffee affects dentine and enamel hardness and reduces salivary pH.
Drinking coffee showed erosive effects on the enamel which led to disintegration of teeth, according to a study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
Likewise, lemon juice showed higher erosion on dentine and enamel compared to canned beverages like Coca-cola and Red Bull, according to a study published in Plos One journal.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can trigger citrus allergy
Citrus allergic people should not drink coffee with lemon because it can lead to an allergic reaction. The symptoms of a citrus allergic reaction are eye itching, swelling and reddening of throat, vomiting, and mild swelling of the lips and gums.
Acidic nature of lemon increases risk of citrus allergic reaction in sensitized individuals as concluded in a study published in 2013 in the Peer-reviewed PLOS One Journal.
- Drinking coffee with lemon can cause coffee jitters
Drinking too much coffee with lemon can lead to coffee jitters. Coffee jitters present as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and elevated heart rate.
If you’re drinking coffee with lemon to reduce calorie count, stay in the recommended FDA caffeine dosage of 400 mg per day to avoid coffee jitters.
What Are Some Myths about Drinking Coffee with Lemon?
Some myths about drinking coffee with lemon are the following. Some claim these benefits are proven when in reality they have little or no scientific backing.
- Drinking coffee with lemon enhances weight loss.
- Drinking coffee with lemon relieves headache.
- Drinking coffee with lemon relieves diarrhea.
The image shown lists the aforementioned myths about drinking coffee with lemon.
- Drinking coffee with lemon enhances weight loss
The claim that drinking coffee with lemon enhances weight loss is false. A combination of drinking coffee and lemon doesn’t increase coffee’s natural ability to help in weight loss. Any claim of weight loss by drinking coffee with lemon can be attributed to the individual property of coffee.
Drinking coffee singly aids in weight loss by increasing metabolic rate and suppressing appetite. A cup of coffee (8 fl.oz.) 60 minutes before workout can also aid in weight loss by initiating the process of breaking fat into glucose. A study conducted by Takuya Watanabe and colleagues concluded that drinking coffee daily for 12 weeks decreased abdominal fat and weight in healthy obese individuals.
However, there is not a single evidence which suggests that lemon augments the individual weight loss benefit of coffee.
- Drinking coffee with lemon relieves headache
The claim that drinking coffee with lemon relieves headache is not entirely true or false. The ability of lemon coffee to relieve headache is credited to caffeine’s ability to cause vasoconstriction in cerebral blood vessels and not lemon. Lemon does not have any positive or negative effect on headache as suggested by literature.
However, drinking one cup (8 fl.oz.) of coffee or adding 100-300 mg caffeine in over the counter medication can provide headache relief by vasoconstriction in the brain vessels, according to a study in The Journal of Headache and Pain.
So, drinking coffee with lemon does relieve headache but only due to the action of caffeine in coffee.
- Drinking coffee with lemon relieves diarrhea
Drinking coffee with lemon does not relieve diarrhea, in fact it can aggravate the condition. Morgan Bookheimer, Registered Dietitian says that both lemon and coffee are acidic and can be tough for anyone with sensitive digestive systems.
Caroline Bletcher, a Registered Dietitian says that drinking coffee makes you poop because caffeine in coffee increases colonic motility and moves the food towards rectum. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrients, drinking coffee urges you to defecate within 4 minutes of coffee ingestion.
However, lemon is not known to have any direct effect on defecation. So, drinking coffee with lemon will not relieve diarrhea but can rather lead to loose motions.
Does Coffee with Lemon Help in Sexual Performance?
No, coffee with lemon does not help in sexual performance, according to Registered Dietitian Nutrition Crystal Scott. Lemon itself does not have any effect on male or female sexual performance but caffeine in coffee may have some positive impact. So, any claim of improvement in sexual performance by lemon coffee can be ascribed to the individual benefit of caffeine in drinking coffee.
Caffeine in drinking coffee may reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction among men by increasing blood flow and relaxing penis muscles. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology states that drinking 2-3 cups (16-24 fl.oz.) of coffee per day reduces risk of erectile dysfunction by 42%.
As for women, caffeine in coffee may cause sexual arousal according to studies. Drinking 1-5 cups (8-40 fl.oz.) of coffee everyday increases chances of successful fertility during intrauterine insemination, according to a study in the Journal Fertility and Sterility.
Can You Drink Coffee with Lemon During Intermittent Fasting?
No, you cannot drink coffee with lemon during intermittent fasting. Any amount of calories can interrupt the fat burning process during intermittent fasting, according to Dr. Benjamin D. Horne, a cardiovascular and genetic epidemiologist.
One cup (240 ml or 8 fl oz) of black coffee contains about 3 calories and squeezing half a 2-3/8″ diameter lemon has 12 calories, according to the Nutritionix database.
Some suggest consuming less than 50 calories does not break your fast as it does not initiate a metabolic change. However, there is no scientific backing of this claim.
What Types of Coffee Drinks Go Well With Lemon?
There are a number of coffee drinks that go well with lemon. The flavour profile of coffee with lemon is not very appealing to many due to its aggravated bitterness. However, if you enjoy the taste or find it refreshing, then you can add lemon in the following coffee drinks.
| Coffee Drink | Individual Flavor Profile | Flavor Profile with Lemon |
| Black Coffee | Bitter | Less bitter |
| Espresso | Bitter, Nutty, Chocolatey | Less bitter, Vibrant, Nutty, Chocolatey |
| Cappuccino | Creamy, Sweet, Intense Coffee Flavor | Less Sweet, Bright |
| Latte | Sweet, Creamy, Subtle | Citrus, Bright, Creamy |
| Cold Brew | Mellow, Bold | Bold, Tangy, Bright |
| Mocha | Chocolatey, Rich Creamy, Smooth | Sweet Citrus, Bright |
| Americano | Strong Bold, Bitter, Little Sweet | Less Bitter |
| Matcha | Mellow, Sweet, Nutty, Slight Bitter | Tangy Sweet |
| Café au Lait | Mild, Sweet, Balanced | Slightly Acidic and Citrusy |
| Macchiato | Espresso Like Bitter, Sweet, Smooth | Less Bitter |