Lemon Coffee for Fat Burning: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Could a squeeze of citrus in your morning cup of joe help you burn fat? While TikTok users around the world continue to sing the praises of lemon coffee, the idea of putting a tablespoon or two of that fresh-squeezed, lip-puckering juice into your mug isn’t exactly appetizing. Yet that hasn’t stopped the unconventional pairing of coffee and lemon from quickly becoming the latest diet trend to take over social media.

But does that duo actually assist your fat-burning efforts? Or have users simply fallen for another fad that isn’t supported by science?

What’s the craze about lemon coffee?

Scroll through your social media feeds and you’re likely to find at least a few posts purporting the fat-burning benefits of lemon coffee. In fact, TikTok users have popularized the concept of adding fresh lemon juice to your cup of joe by sharing videos that often end with some less-than-stellar feedback about the flavor combo.

Of course, #lemoncoffee isn’t the first (or the last) fat-burning “hack” that’s gained steam via social media. However, there’s no doubt that not every diet trend or weight loss tip actually holds merit.

So, why has lemon coffee suddenly become a topic of discussion?

“There is an animal study showing that when mice were given polyphenols from lemon peel, along with an obesity-producing diet, the polyphenols suppressed weight gain in these mice,” says Emily Gonzalez, ND. “However, this result has not been duplicated with lemon juice in humans.”

Related: What Coffee Does to Your Metabolism

The fat-burning fallacy of adding lemon to your coffee cup

Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s effective. Unfortunately for lemon coffee consumers, science doesn’t back this beverage’s supposed fat-burning benefits.

A squeeze of lemon will add vitamin C and a hint of sourness that seems better suited for a glass of iced tea, rather than a hot cup of coffee. Ultimately, though, your fat-burning efforts won’t receive a boost from this method.

“Coffee on its own is known to help with fat-burning, but lemon juice has not been shown in research to have any additive effect,” says Dr. Gonzalez.

Luckily, there is a science-backed way to turn an ordinary cup of joe into a fat-burning powerhouse…

How Bulletproof Coffee supports fat burning

Rather than ruining your delicious, freshly brewed cup of coffee with acidic lemon juice, why not incorporate ingredients that actually complement the flavors of java and support burning fat?

Bulletproof Coffee contains two sources of quality fats that make it a go-to option for those looking for some fat-burning assistance. Bulletproof Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil contains C8, which is the most ketogenic MCT. Meanwhile, Bulletproof Grass-Fed Ghee adds creaminess and more quality fats to your cup.

“C8 is rapidly and efficiently converted into ketones by the liver for use as energy by the body and brain,” says Dr. Gonzalez. “C8 MCT also encourages your body to burn fat as a fuel, helps decrease cravings and supports cognition.”

Looking for another way to enhance your coffee? Bulletproof Original Creamer is made with grass-fed butter and MCT oil and contains no sugar, artificial fillers or junk. You can even go with French Vanilla or Hazelnut if you want to take the flavor profile in a different direction. (Sorry not sorry: Lemon Meringue Creamer is not coming any time soon.) As for the best time to consume keto coffee?

“Bulletproof Coffee is best in the morning, as it provides both the caffeine from coffee and also the sustained energy from MCTs to help power your day,” says Dr. Gonzalez.

The bottom line: Despite its popularity, consuming lemon coffee simply isn’t a science-backed way to burn fat. Instead of falling for another trend that’s not supported by research, utilize quality fat sources like Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil and Grass-Fed Ghee to transform your coffee into a drink that’ll work for you. In this case, the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze.

Plant-based proteins have also picked up steam via social media, but do they provide the same nutritional value? Discover why faux salmon doesn’t belong in your diet.