Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits while juggling the demands of our hectic schedules can be difficult at times, and we're always looking for easy ways to boost our well-being. Tips like drinking warm lemon water early in the morning, or adding apple cider vinegar to a glass of water, are popular because they are said to offer high rewards for low effort. But how true are the claims of their miraculous benefits, and which is better?

 

With similar functions, both lemon and apple cider vinegar (ACV) are said to be powerhouse ingredients that have a range of uses, although there is not enough concrete research available. Dr. Lakshmi Kilaru, Ph.D Food Science and Nutrition, University of Georgia (USA), and Head Nutritionist, URLife, says, “Having lemon water early in the morning can help in kicking away the early morning caffeine consumption habit of people. Coffee is actually a dehydrating liquid, while lemon water can help in hydrating your body. Dehydration is also the first cause of fatigue, so lemon water can help in boosting energy levels. According to Ayurvedic medicine, it helps to stimulate the digestive fire, also known as agni, which boosts digestion and prevents building up of toxins.” Lemon can also be beneficial for skin health, as well as managing kidney stones.
Apple cider vinegar is made from fermenting sugars in apples, and this fermentation gives it probiotic qualities. Probiotics may have a multitude of benefits, from helping with digestion, boosting immunity, improving heart health, and benefiting mental health. Although there is not enough research, ACV may help in managing blood glucose levels, according to a study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. Both lemon water and ACV may help with maintaining the pH balance in your body, which is crucial for smooth functioning of our bodily processes. Different people drink ACV diluted with water during different times of the day—early in the morning, before a meal, or before bed.

 

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Warm Lemon Water	Apple Cider Vinegar (in water)
1. Contains citric acid, which can help with mineral absorption and may protect against kidney stones.	1. Contains acetic acid, which may help in improving metabolism.
2. Is rich in Vitamin C and has other nutrients like folate.	2. Has polyphenols (which have antioxidant qualities) and a small amount of potassium.
3. Is enriched with flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.	3. Is a good source of probiotics if ACV has the "mother" (protein containing good bacteria and enzymes).
4. Has antibacterial properties.	4. Has antibacterial, anti-yeast and antifungal properties.
5. Can boost immunity due to antioxidants.	5. May help boost immunity.
6. Can boost metabolism and improve digestion.	6. Improves gut health due to the probiotic bacteria.
7. May reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure due to abundant Vitamin C.	7. May improve cholesterol levels.

 

Verdict: Although neither is a miracle remedy that will provide magical effects, both warm lemon water and ACV in water have their individual share of benefits. Remember that both lemon and ACV are acidic in nature, and the potency of apple cider vinegar, especially, can have adverse effects. Dr. Lakshmi says, “You have to be careful when you're taking apple cider vinegar because there is strong evidence that it is very acidic, so it might erode your tooth enamel and might damage the inner lining of your oesophagus. So you have to be highly cautious about how much you're taking, what time of the day you're taking, and how much you're diluting the apple cider vinegar. If you continue taking it for a long period of time, consult a nutritionist to get advice as to the dosage and the period in which you have to use the apple cider vinegar to prevent adverse effects. Drinking more than the advised quantity of apple cider vinegar daily can affect the potassium level in the body, which may lead to nausea, cramps, and fluctuations in blood pressure. Excessive consumption of apple cider vinegar can affect the absorption of calcium in the body, reducing the bone mineral density. This may make the bones weak and brittle. Do not take this if you have acidity issues or strong heart burns early in the morning.” ACV being considered stronger in nature, for beginners, opting for lemon water is more prudent.

 

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