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| - Last Updated on November 14, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A viral Instagram post claims that a homemade drink can cleanse kidneys and boost immunity. Our fact check found it to be false.
The Claim
We came across an Instagram post that talks about a homemade drink made with lemon or lime, garlic, turmeric, black pepper, and honey. The post says you should boil these ingredients in water on high heat and add honey at the end. It claims that drinking this mixture every day on an empty stomach for two weeks can completely clean your kidneys, detox your liver, strengthen your immune system, and get rid of digestive problems. It even says that after two weeks, your kidneys will be as good as new and your organs will work perfectly together.
The video starts by saying, “Mix lemon with garlic and you’ll never visit a hospital again.” It claims that just one cup of this drink can clean your kidneys, boost your immune system, detox your liver, fix digestive issues, and reduce inflammation in your body.
Fact Check
Can a homemade drink cleanse the kidneys?
No, it cannot. The kidneys naturally filter waste and extra substances from the body. This complex process is highly efficient, and there’s no scientific proof that any drink can boost this function. While ingredients like lemon and garlic have some benefits, such as vitamins and antioxidants, they do not cleanse the kidneys as claimed. Drinking water and staying hydrated is essential for kidney health, but there is no shortcut for making your kidneys “as good as new” through a drink.
In the past, we have seen posts which claim that corn hair can cure all kidney problems. However, this is largely false as per scientific evidence.
Can this homemade drink instantly strengthen the immune system?
No, drinking this mix will not suddenly strengthen the immune system. Boosting immune health requires more than a one-time remedy; it depends on long-term habits. Ingredients like lemon and garlic do contain some immune-supporting compounds: lemon provides vitamin C, garlic has allicin with antimicrobial properties, and turmeric contains curcumin, which may help with inflammation. However, consuming these in small amounts, especially through a drink, will not cause a dramatic or immediate improvement in immunity. Furthermore, the video suggests boiling the mixture in water, which can lead to nutrient loss.
Immune health depends on various factors, including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. Regularly eating a balanced diet and leading a healthy lifestyle is far more effective for the immune system’s health. Some people suggest that warm water can boost immunity, but this is not true. It is better to rely on long-term healthy habits rather than any so-called miracle drink.
Can the drink detoxify the liver and completely eliminate digestive problems?
Not really. The liver already detoxifies itself through natural processes. The body uses enzymes to break down toxins and remove waste, making external ‘liver cleanses’ unnecessary. While lemon and garlic can contribute to overall health when consumed as part of a balanced diet, they do not “detoxify” the liver. Similarly, social media posts that advocate copper-infused water for detoxification are also scientifically incorrect.
As for digestive issues, turmeric might have some benefits due to its anti-inflammatory properties, but the claim that this drink can eliminate all digestive problems is an exaggeration. Digestive health depends on diet, hydration, lifestyle and a well-functioning gut, not a quick-fix drink.
We reached out to Dr Sharad Malhotra, Senior Consultant & HOD Gastroenterology Hepatology & Therapeutic Endoscopy, Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi, for his expertise on homemade drinks for liver detox and digestive issues. He says, “No single drink can cleanse the liver or fully resolve digestive problems. The liver is a highly efficient organ that naturally detoxifies the body, without needing special drinks to perform its function. While ingredients like garlic and turmeric contribute to a healthy diet, they are not miracle solutions. Addressing digestive problems often requires medical attention, a balanced diet, and lifestyle changes. True liver and digestive health comes from long-term habits, not quick fixes. Additionally, eating in moderation, staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and regular exercise are far more beneficial than seeking short-term solutions for gut health.”
Does this drink reduce inflammation effectively?
Partially true, but not as the claim suggests. Turmeric’s curcumin does have anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for reducing chronic inflammation. However, small amounts of turmeric in a drink may not provide a sufficient dose for noticeable effects due to its poor bioavailability. For meaningful anti-inflammatory benefits, we would need a higher dose over time, often in supplement form.
Does boiling ingredients reduce their nutrients?
Yes, it does. Boiling can lower the nutritional content of lime, garlic, and other ingredients. Lime contains vitamin C, which is sensitive to heat and can break down when boiled. This reduces its immune-supporting properties. Garlic’s beneficial compound, allicin, is also unstable and breaks down with high heat, lowering its potential effects.
Turmeric’s curcumin can lose some of its potency when exposed to high heat for too long, especially when there’s no fat source to help with absorption (curcumin is fat-soluble). Although black pepper helps with curcumin absorption due to its compound piperine, boiling all these ingredients together may still reduce their overall benefits.
We sought insights from Soumam Dutta, PhD Scholar (Nutrition), Department of Endocrinology, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. He explains, “Boiling ingredients at high temperatures can greatly reduce their nutrient content, particularly heat-sensitive vitamins like vitamin C and some antioxidants. To retain more nutrients, it’s best to cook at lower temperatures or opt for methods like steaming. This helps retain the maximum nutritional benefits, ensuring we get the most out of what we’re eating.”
THIP Media Take
The claim that a homemade drink can cleanse kidneys and boost immunity is false. While these ingredients have individual health benefits, boiling them can reduce their nutrients, making the drink far less effective. True health improvements come from a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, not a single “miracle” remedy.
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