Tom Daley claims that drinking lemon water in the morning is his secret to keeping a lean physique. But what does it actually do? Is there any science behind it? Can lemon water really help you lose weight?

Can lemon juice reduce belly fat?

Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated can reduce bloating which will in turn reduce the appearance of belly fat. However, it is not actually burning your fat, and a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a balanced diet is, and always will be, the best way to reduce belly fat.

If you suffer from acid re-flux or indigestion, lemon juice might actually exacerbate your symptoms as it is highly acidic, so drink in moderation.

What does drinking lemon water in the morning do?

If you think you need to detox, think again. There is no need to detox as our livers and kidneys do that for us naturally, so drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning won't detox you any more than any other drink. However, drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do to be healthy, so drinking water in the morning, whether it has lemon in it or not, is definitely good for your health and should be something you try to create as a habit. If you don't like the taste of water or struggle to drink enough, adding lemon can make it more palatable and therefore encourage you to stay more hydrated. It has also been claimed that drinking lemon water in the morning can aid digestion and prevent heartburn and bloating, but this has not been scientifically proven.

What are the health benefits of lemon water?

There are actually no scientific health benefits of drinking lemon water. Citrus fruits like lemons contain high levels of Vitamin C which is good for maintaining healthy skin and appearing well, however the amount you would get from a glass of lemon water is questionable. 

The main health benefit of drinking lemon water is actually from drinking the water itself. Whether is had lemon in it or not doesn't really make a difference. Staying well hydrated is paramount to being healthy, especially as up to 75% of your body is made from water. The health risks associated with dehydration range from bad skin and bad breath to serious complications such as fevers, fainting, and even death. An easy way to remind yourself to stay hydrated is by keeping a water bottle with you at all times.