The message says, "Dr.Yu has emphasized that if this message is forwarded to another 10 people, there must be at least one life saved in the near future. I already did my part. I hope you can do yours too. Thank you!" Although this message was said by a Doctor, you are not able to verify his/her credentials. It is always better to seek out health professionals in person than to believe absurdity from social media.
Statement #1:
Drink hot lemon water can prevent cancer. Don't add sugar. Hot lemon water is more beneficial than cold lemon water.
Problems and changes that should be made with statement #1:
- Temperature of beverage you're drinking does not matter as long as it is not scalding hot water that you are pouring down your throat. On the contrary, there are actually studies that observed a "Fivefold increase in esophageal cancer risk among those who consumed burning hot soup or porridge, with smaller excesses for preserved vegetables, salty and deep fried foods."
- Neither is there scientific evidence that directly links hot lemon water to the prevention of cancer nor is there scientific evidence that shows that hot lemon water is more beneficial than cold lemon water.
- Adding sugar to your drink can add unnecessary calories to your diet. For weight loss/weight maintenance, avoiding these unnecessary calories is a good idea. Even more, if you are diabetic, added sugar is definitely a factor you should look out for. However if you are a healthy individual, 1 packet of sugar to your coffee, tea or lemon water would just add roughly 20 calories to your daily intake. Again, moderation is the key.
- Lemon itself can act as a natural flavoring. It adds some variety to plain water. If you are able to drink more water throughout the day by adding lemon, please do! Staying hydrated is important.
- You might say that there is a lot of Vitamin C in lemons but so does a lot of other fruits and vegetables. Don't limit yourself to one option based on the ample amount of X that people advertise for. Variety is the key.
Scientific findings from research should not be glorified. Unfortunately, the social media has a tendency to do so. As we know, don't believe everything you see on the internet! They want a message that is marketable and achievable. Everyone should exercise some thoughts into these messages before jumping into action. It is always best to ask health professionals (e.g. Medical Doctors, Registered Dietitians) for a second opinion.
Written By:
Charlotte Chan, Registered Dietitian
References:
Gao, Y.-T., McLaughlin, J. K., Gridley, G., Blot, W. J., Ji, B.-T., Dai, Q., & Fraumeni, J. F. (1994). Risk factors for esophageal cancer in Shanghai, China. II. Role of diet and nutrients. International Journal of Cancer, 58(2), 197-202. doi: 10.1002/ijc.2910580209
