Lemonade: A Bone Builder? - Save Our Bones

August 20 is National Lemonade Day (there's always a reason to celebrate) and with record-setting temperatures worldwide, a glass of lemonade sure sounds refreshing.

But before you break out the pitcher set, know that many store-bought lemonades aren't really lemonade at all. Many contain artificial sweeteners, flavors and coloring. So save your money and skip the drinks and powders that are low on lemons and high on sugar.

Today, I'll tell you everything you need to know to make your very own bone healthy beverage.

Not only will it taste better, but you'll benefit from the powerful alkalizing antioxidant while you detoxify and stay hydrated. Of course, staying hydrated is especially important during the dog days of summer when heat and humidity cause accelerated water loss. Those headaches and feelings of fatigue you thought were associated with hot weather are more likely caused by dehydration.

When life gives you lemons… improve your bone health!

To support bone health, I suggest sipping distilled or reverse osmosis purified water with a few drops of lemon juice throughout the day.

Here’s why.

Hydration is essential for life. At the cellular level, water acts as a solvent and conductor in the body allowing cells to efficiently transport and combine elements while helping the body maintain it’s electro-chemical balance. And lemon juice has an alkaline pH, which of course is important to bone health.

If you read the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, you probably know that lemons are one of the Foundation Foods. In addition to being alkalizing, lemons contain vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body. It's necessary for the production of collagen, which maintains bones and cartilage. Just a quarter cup of lemon juice has almost half of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. As a bonus, lemon juice also contains calcium and magnesium (important for the proper absorption of calcium), as well as potassium. Potassium supports bone health by neutralizing metabolic acids, thus conserving the body's calcium stores. 1 It also reduces calcium loss through urine.

The nutrients in lemon and fresh lemon juice have a positive effect on the liver too. The vitamin C in lemon promotes the production of glutathione, a compound that fights toxins in the liver. The powerful antioxidant also destroys free radicals created by the liver's metabolic process thereby acting as detoxifying agent in the liver. And it’s important to note here that a study conducted in May 2010 by Rheumatology International, shows a definitive link between poor liver function and osteoporosis. 2

Furthermore, lemons are especially unique in that their juice carries a negative charge which binds to acidic waste in the body and flushes it out through the urine.

What's the best water to drink?

I recommend using distilled water, or water purified through reverse osmosis for drinking and cooking. Tap water is filled with toxic chemical additives, such as chloramines and fluoride, which can have devastating effects on your bone health. What's more, there is recent evidence that municipalities across the United States are adding fluoride imported from China which contains harmful levels of lead and arsenic. 3

Distilled water, on the other hand, is the closest you can get to pure rain water, and is heavy-metal free.

And don't worry, distilled water won't drain minerals from your body – that's a myth. Mineral and spring water contain inorganic minerals that offer no real benefit to your health (for more on inorganic minerals read: Calcium and Heart Attack Alert: My Take).

And for more information on water be sure to read the Osteoporosis Hydration Protocol which is included free in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.

Your Summertime Treat

Drinking a glass of distilled water with fresh lemon juice drops is a healthy beverage I enjoy all year round.

And for a special summertime treat, you can add stevia to the mix for a simple and sweet lemonade that can be enjoyed guilt free. A cup has only 15 calories, is delicious on a hot day and supports your bone health naturally.

Pure and Simple Lemonade

Ingredients
6 medium lemons, preferably organic
3 1/2 cups distilled water
Stevia to taste (optional – sweetness varies between powder and liquid)

Directions


Juice lemons with a manual citrus juicer or squeeze by hand. Avoid getting seeds in the juice. If you don't care for pulp, strain juice. Mix with distilled water and add stevia to taste. Add ice or chill and enjoy! For a twist, add a few sprigs of fresh mint. It's a tasty way to use mint from your garden.

Tip: How to choose a lemon

August is prime season for lemons, so selection should be good. A fully ripe lemon offers the most sweetness and nutrition. Look for a lemon that feels heavy for its size, is all yellow and has a thin skin, evident by a fine grain on the peel.

So happy National Lemonade Day and here's to your good health!

References

1 Sellmeyer DE, Schloetter DE, Schloetter M, et al.” Potassium citrate prevents urine calcium excretion and bone resorption induced by a high sodium chloride diet.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 87, No.5
2 Wariaghli G, Mounach A, Achemlal L, Benbaghdadi I, Aouragh A, Bezza A, El Maghraoui A. “Osteoporosis in chronic liver disease: a case-control study.” Rheumatology International, Vol. 30, No. 7. May 2010
3 Bernard W. Miltenberger. “Chinese fluoride is a homeland security matter.” Cumberland Times News, February 27, 2010

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Joseph Mulvey

    Lemon juice is not alkaline, it is acidic. Lemon juice is not negatively charged, it is neutral/mild positively charged because nearly all charges are paired.

    What are acidic wastes? You mean lactic acid? Lactate is negatively charged. How does anything in lemon juice further the excretion of lactic acid?

    I don’t understand how you can write these things and let people like my mother believe them. Please have a degree in human physiology before writing about it.

    • Mary

      Absolutely! Lemon juice has a pH of 2.0, which is way below the neutral 7.0. Anything below 7.0 is, by definition, acidic. For comparison, sulfuric acid (H2SO4) has a pH from 1-2.75, depending on strength.

    • Karen A Hartsell

      How many carbs in Lemonade? I am a Type 1 Diabetic!

  2. Himanshu

    Awesome! I love lemon juice and I’m great to know amazing facts of lemons Always. It is great to read with great tips and obliged with such great knowledge. ?Thank you! Happy Lemonade Day!

  3. Barb Marti

    sesame seed milk is great for bones. Soak 1 cup of sesame seeds with hulls and 1/2cup unhulled sunflower seeds for 12 hours. Add 4 cups purified water and blend for 3 minutes. Add 1 tbs carob 2tbs honey. 1 tbs pure maple syrup and blend for 2 min.. Refrigerate for 2 hours and drink 1 cup daily. Delicious. No more tha 2 cups daily. Enjoy!!

    Ds

  4. Susan E. Erickson

    Can anyone tell me about Chloramines, which are used in drinking water to disinfect the water. What are the effects of this substance on the body? I have a feeling it’s not good.

  5. Connie

    I want — and need — to follow the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, however I have an unusual problem: Without consuming high calorie foods, I cannot maintain my weight. I am very thin, very active, and completely healthy, except for osteoporosis. I require many more calories than most 60 ish women. Keeping the weight is a continual fight. If I followed the program correctly, I would lose weight every week. In fact, I did follow it for a couple of weeks, and sure enough, I lost weight. I need help. Does anyone share my problem?

  6. Mariann

    Dear Vivian,
    One of your newsletters mentioned stevia that had been improved. I just can’t get use to stevia and this product had taken the bitterness out! I would like to try it but can’t remember the web site.
    I currently use xylitol, I have now for about 2 years. It has beneficial properties and I really like the taste. I only use it in my coffee in the morning. What is your opinion on xylitol? I would love to know.

  7. juvy

    Dear vivian,

    Thanks very much for yourrecipe about the Lemon. I will give it a try,because I only drink lemon in my tea.Now I will try in my water.Lemonade water.

    My huaband drink Lemonade every day.Hemixedit with Orange, pineapple lemon squash mix it with Diet lemonade. He isperfectly fine. No Cholesterol, not high blood Pressure, infact his Doctor have said to him you have a blood pressure of 20 years old and he said ,Can I have also a body of 20 years old.He is 73years old, he said he is fit as a feedle.
    I hope this will help to all the members of our Community.

    Thank you,

    juvy

  8. connie bueeiaa

    I just want to be part of the group. Please tell me more about reversing osteoporosis.

  9. WEBDESIGN

    Thank you for every other excellent post. Where else could anyone get that type of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the search for such information.

  10. bea mowry

    i have such heart burn can you give me anything that i can try for this i was taking omprazole for this but i want to get off of this but then i will get heart burn bad is this interfearing with my bone health? also i had two extra save our bones books and i have given them to two friends one of the ladies is in hes late 40 and the doctor told her she has bones of an 80 yr old so i gave her the book to read i hope you can tell me something to take for this heart burn thank you bea

    • Sherrill

      Bea, I am so sorry to hear about your acid reflux. I started 5 years ago with acid reflux due to H-pylori and was put on Nexium and still suffering I was determined to find an alternative way to treat it. After reading and trying so many things that might would have way work there are definitly some things that work. The lemon water Vivian mentions is great for acid reflux. What people don’t realize is that lemon water is acidic in your mouth but oh so alkalizing in the stomach and can help. Also, read all you can on food combining. This is very important. Green smoothies are also a major part of taming acd reflux. So lemon water, food combining, green smoothie and digestive enzymes are all part of my everyday life with great success. I have not only been Nexium free for 3 years but I had a endoscopy last year and the doctor found no sign of any problems. Do you think he would ask me how I did it after he told me for the 1st couple of years that I would have to take Nexium forever, no way. As a matter of fact on my test results he stated continue maedication as prescribed. I told the nurse I wasn’t taken any medication and she just shrugged her shoulder. Good luck. There is a lot of good stuff on the internet about the things I mentioned.
      Eating healthy is so important. Sherrill

      • Betty

        Sherrill

        I have never heard anyone say they have been able to get off medication for acid reflux. That is wonderful. I have tried to do so and had to go back on. Lemons and other citrus were on the “do not eat” list.
        I will try some of your suggestions and see how I do. Thank you for sharing.

  11. Joyce Walsh

    Hi Vivian, I enjoy your emails and appreciate all the information contained therein.

    I found the article on the benefits of lemon juice very interesting, but am not sure how to make distilled water from tap water, or perhaps that is not the way to go.

    Can you please help,

    Joyce

  12. Sally Buchanan

    Lemons are NOT alkaline. Lemon juice is very acidic with pH of 1.8 to 2.3.

    • Marcia

      I’m with you Sally. I’d be inclined to get the Save Our Bones program, but I really have to wonder about it given the statement about lemon juice helping to alkalize the body.

      The lower the pH, the higher the acidity. Recommending baking soda makes sense. That has a pH of 9. As Sally said, lemon juice has a pH of about 2. See the chart on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH#Extremes_of_pH.

  13. Christine Farrell

    I love both lemon and lime juice.
    In summer, a large glass of sparkling spring or mineral water with a dose of lemon juice or lime juice – mmm.
    I hadn’t thought of anything like apple cider vinegar – need to give it a try.
    I also love both elderberry cordial and nettle cordial – a very small amount in a good glass of water makes a pleasant change.
    I used to keep freshly cut wedges of lime and of lemon in a container in the freezer, ready to pop into a glass of water – I think I’ll start that again.

    Q Have you had any experience of magnetism for water? I’m wondering whether that would give “ordinary” water some of the help that you seem to ascribe to distilled and/or reverse osmosis waters.

  14. Jocelyn Girard

    I just received my copy of Save Our Bones today; I am so excited and can’t wait to start using all your bone-saving tips! I ordered the Scratch and Dent Special. How do I get the other materials in the packet? I understand that I need to download them, but I’m not seeing any instructions or site information in my packet.
    Thanks so much for developing this program.

    • Customer Support

      Hi Jocelyn,

      I’m glad you’re excited about getting started! Right after you ordered, you should have received an email with a download link and instructions. If you didn’t get the email, please just click the Customer Support button at the top of any of our web pages and let us know. We’ll be happy to send you another link.

  15. Jan Rolo

    great news on lemons,though confusing about how an alkaline effect may be acheived from a strong acid. I found that weight training (body weight/ suspension training – TRX) and putting feet on leather cube after a long day (https://www.thefurnitureemporium.com/products/Red-Leather-Cube.html)and performing a few stretches also helps. Staying drug free for 4 years now, though supplement strontium with my diet.

  16. Sue Shen

    Vivian, Thanks for the lemonade recipe. Regarding your comment
    on the dangers of taking calcium supplements – I’ve been told by
    a few nutrition experts that taking magnesium with calcium and
    vitamin D3 (half as much magnesium as calcium), actually prevents
    helps absorb calcium in the bones so it doesn’t find its way into the
    bloodstream. Something to consider.

  17. Lindsay Blair Rennie

    HI, Vivian,

  18. Qamar

    I have low thyroid,and use syn-thyroid 50mg.can lemon or apple cyder make some problem in the absorption of syn thyroid?

  19. Janet Talley

    Hi Vivian, I read your article about drinking lemonade and all the benefits it has for the body. I appreciate your info, I will drink more lemon juice in my water. I don’t usually buy distilled water, but a glass of distilled lemon water will be a treat once in awhile. I wasn’t aware lemon juice was so healthy for the body. Extra calcium is a must for my diet and since I am eating more collard greens, spinach and broccoli daily, I am trying to preserve my bone structure without the consumption of calcium w vitamin-D supplements. I have stopped the intake of calcium supplements since the tv broadcast on the negative effects it has on the body. It is good to know lemon juice is good for dehydration as well as good for the liver. Thank you Vivian this article was most benefical to me, my son drinks plenty of lemonade during the summer, I told him it didn’t have any nutrience in it. I shall tell him he was doing the body good, he must have known something that I didn’t. He also drink lemonade year-round. Keep me informed, always.
    Janet Talley.

    • Deborah

      Take Organic calcium!!

  20. Connie Moore

    I think homemade lemonade is delicious! Thank you for the recipe! And I think it is wonderful news that it will help my bones! 🙂

  21. madeline

    Vivian,

    thanks for all of your information. I have never been a lover of lemonade, but will give it a try now. Sounds so good for me.

    again thankyou,

    madeline

  22. Blashka

    Hello, I have a question about the distilled water. When I test clients for dehydration, usually people drinking distilled water or RO show dehydration although they drink a lot of water. It is as if the body does not absorb it well. When minerals are added to the water the testing for water improves tremendously. I think water is supposed to have minerals and be able to conduct electricity.

    Blashka

  23. Joan Kuchta

    Vivian,

    I love your great news tips. I just emailed the lemonade and calcium one to my neighbor just diagnosed with full-blown osteo. She is 57. I am trying to hook her up with your thoughts.

    Thank You, Joan

  24. Monica Phillips

    Hi Vivian, One of the best things I did was to follow your advice and purchase a reverse osmosis water filter – the water tastes so much better. I will add a few drops of lemon to it for good measure now. Thanks for info.
    Best wishes Monica

    • Wilhelmina Vander Kooi

      Thanks for this great info. We have a reverse osmosis water filter, but to add some drops of lemon juice sounds like such an easy plan to add Vitamin C to our systerms.

  25. vivienne

    Iam an Osteo girl for the last 5yrs. Started samE time as my Mother and same area of pain.
    Between scapulas T4-6.Ofcoase at the time I ignored treatment 2nd yr t-score alittle higher so strated Boniva however not every mnth every other for 8mnths and then stopped .
    Was feeling worse all over. Be can Other alternatives.”the Bone Building Solution”by Sam Graci,Dr.Calolyn DEMarco & Dr. Leticia Rao.
    Lots of similar great info. + so Much more . a Great plus to work with! However some years have passed and my last visit w/my GYN she sugested that someone likeme w/no apparent sighns of osteo and given my age 49 I should consider “Reclast” I wouldn’t be harming my digestive System and would get my desity up to par.I looked it to it & found “Vivian”.

  26. Betty

    Hi Vivian,

    I too made lemonade but with honey, just enough to get the lemon to go down. I make distilled H2O also. What are your thoughts on honey as a sweetner? I have a stevia plant and enjoy chewing on the leaves.

  27. norma t

    Ladies, this lemonade recipe is all natural.
    I found this in one of the juicer book.
    JUICE 4 APPLES & 1/4 LEMON ( skin & all ) NO NEED TO ADD WATER OR SUGAR- THE APPLE ACTS AS A NATURAL SWEETENER. WHEN YOU MAKE THIS ON A HOT SCORCHING DAY, PUT SOME CRUSHED ICE IN THE TUMBLER. YOU’LL LOVE THIS THIRST QUENCHER!

  28. Florie

    Hi Vivian,
    I appreciated all that you are doing to help us. What is your experience with agave? I have hypoglycemia and do not use sugar or artificial sweetners.

    • Caro

      https://kreditonline24.tech/targobank-kredit-konditionen.html

    • Daniel

      UPDATE:I am happy to report that I know I made a difnreefce. The little darling I was worried about is moving into a new home with her mom, who is officially set up to start nursing school in two weeks!

    • Maria

      You probably arealdy know this, but the iron from an iron skillet, or the iron from iron-rich vegetables like spinach, is not as easily absorbed as heme iron or iron from meat/blood. I only mention this because I’ve had long struggles with anemia that only ended when I started eating meat. You’ve mentioned feeling tired a lot feeling an overwhelming need for naps, etc. Think about getting your thyroid checked.

  29. Anne Alborough

    I have been following your programme for a while now, however I cannot understand your comment about lemon juice having an alkaline pH. As a science teacher I know that the pH of lemon juice can range from pH 3 – 4 which is definitley acidic!! Are you in fact saying that acidic foods confer an alkaline effect once in the body itself?

  30. Nu Ly

    Hi! Vivian,

    Thank you very much for sharing the new article. I like the lemon juice, but I don’t know what’s the drilled water? where I can get it.

  31. Joan

    Hi Vivian

    Thanks for all the helpful updates I was surprised to see distilled water I thought
    that only went in Car batteries I have seen it
    in the supermarket my husband tells me he keeps
    a plactic container in the garage and I can
    use that if I want however I prefer to buy a new container and keep it in the kitchen.
    I do add apple cider vinegar to a glass of water though.

    Joan

  32. Marilyn

    Appreciated the info on lemons. This was new to me. How much calcium do you get from a single lemon? “What about grapefruit and limes?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Marilyn,

      Lemons and other citrus fruits don’t have a lot of calcium (about 4 mg. in a lemon), but the calcium they do have is highly absorbable. The real power of lemons comes from their antioxidant properties and other nutrients, including potassium, which reduces calcium loss through urine.

      In addition, lemons have a detoxifying effect on the liver. And, as I said in the article, a definitive link has been shown between poor liver function and osteoporosis.

  33. Georgina Renaux

    Thank you vivian for all the useful information you pass on to us. much appreciated.

    georgina

  34. Ms. L.

    Hi! Vivian,

    I’ve Always Loved Lemons In My Water. That’s The Only Way I Can Drink It. And If I Buy Bottled Water I Get The Distilled. But I’d Rather Make My Own Distilled Water, And I Put It In A Glass Container, And Let It Cool Down Before Putting It In The Refrigerator To Cool.
    And Thank You VERY MUCH For The Recipe. I Use Stevia Also. I Just Started Using It. I Used To Use Splenda. But I Read That Stevia Is Healthier For You. Thanks Again. LOVE, MS. L.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You’re right, Ms. L. Stevia is MUCH better for you since it’s plant-derived, alkalizing, and completely natural.

  35. John Breach

    Vivian, I am in agreement with one of your other readers; you can’t beat Kangen water! I have personally experienced some wonderful things with this water. It will also help absorption tremendously! Thanks for the lemonade info. Find out more about this life-changing water at:
    http://www.health2-o.com

    Thanks, John

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi John,

      See my response to Jan below. Kangen water is a great product, but you can get the same results from distilled water with a few drops of lemon juice.

  36. Dawn

    It is available on the internet. Just type Stevia into your browser!!

  37. Shula

    Thank you for this useful lemon-info; I wonder if oranges act in the same way.
    Shula

  38. JAN MULCAHY

    Vivian, have you heard of kangen water? I am trying it now and i have had some good results, weight loss, lower blood pressure and am looking forward to other things too. here is a site that tells about it.https://www.myh2ofacts.com/

    thank you for all the info you send. it is so helpful to me. I have been in a wheelchair since 1948 from polio, so I am always interested in things to help osteoporosis, which I have pretty bad.

    Keep up the good work.

    Jan Mulcahy

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Jan,

      Yes I have heard of kangen water, and it’s a fine product. But you can achieve the same results by drinking steam distilled water with a few drops of lemon juice. While the pH of distilled water is acid (5.4), it’s negatively charged and thus cleanses the body of acidic residue. The lemon juice is alkalizing and anionic, (negatively charged), and thus helps drag the positively charged acidic residue molecules out of your body.

  39. Jacqueline

    Last year my husband was hospitalized with a kidney stone. I had heard somewhere that lemon juice was helpful in dissolving kidney stones, so I started making lemonade using stevia to sweeten it (hubby is also a diabetic)I would make one gallon of this a day, and make sure that he’d emptied the container each day, and either the stone was dissolved, or so greatly reduced, that he never knew when it passed.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      That’s a great testament to the power of lemons (and water), Jacqueline!

  40. Barbara

    Lemon juice also stimulates the stomach production of hydrochloric acid, the good acid needed to digest foods. When out at a restaurant, try to get RO water and ask for several lemon slices.

  41. Judy Mead

    Great article. I’ll try it!

  42. Joan Maybee

    I so appreciate the time you take to research for me. I love lemonade.

  43. Veronica

    Thank you very much, Vivian!!!!
    Veronica

  44. Joan Miller

    Dear Vivian, Thank you so much for all the excellent material I have received. I keep my “Save Our Bones” handy to use at my discretion. I will enjoy your Lemonade recipe now as well. Thank you. Joan

  45. Tom in Dallas

    Does this also apply to LIMES? I enjoy limeades all summer, and buy them in large numbers.

  46. ann schell

    Hi Vivian,

    I requested your free handbook on SaVE yOUR bONES.
    I ordered it a while ago and was jusr wondering how long it usually takes since I live in New Jersey?

    Ann Schell

  47. Marge

    We have artesian well water and I wonder if that is just as good as distilled water. It probabbly has some minerals in it too.
    I also buy calcium with vitamin D plus minerals.
    Thanks Marge

  48. Betsy

    Where do you suggest purchasing distilled water? Is there a type you prefer?

    Thank you!

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Betsy,

      Any distilled water is fine. You should be able to get it at any supermarket.

  49. Evelyn Slusky

    I have tried to keep an 80/20 ratio of alkaline and acidic foods in my diet, but most of the time I can only do a 50/50 ratio of those foods. I do have osteoporosis, and I have made a significant change in my diet this past year to reflect your recommended balances between alkaline and acidic foods. Should I still see some improvement in the my next dexa scan in Jan.?

    • Evelyn Slusky

      Thanks, Vivian, for your encouragement. Since, I’ve been following your food recommendations, I have not felt the pain in my hips at night like I did before, so I definitely will keep eating the fruits and veggies which I love.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Evelyn,

      I can’t make any particular guarantees about your dexa scores, but you are definitely improving your bone health.

      You don’t have to do everything that’s in the Program to improve your bone health. We all lead hectic, complicated lives, and it can be difficult to adhere strictly to any program.

      Even if you add a few elements of the Program to your diet, you should see improvement. Just do the best you can!

  50. mary bushma

    Iwas told that using limes was more beneficial than lemon, could you please expound on this, as i like limes better

  51. Colleen

    My dentist told me that sipping on anything with citric acid (both lemon and lime juice are in this group) in it will be extremely harmful to the enamel of my teeth. Does using a straw prevent this I wonder?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Yes, Colleen, using a straw will help, as will rinsing your mouth with plain water after drinking lemon water or eating citrus fruits.

  52. Marcia Isman

    I do not agree that it is a myth that distilled water will eventually start to take minerals from your body. Where did you get your information around your statement that it is a myth?
    I agree with you that water is a conductor and one of the things it conducts is electricity – including the electrical impulses within the body that are part and parcel of its functioning. I also agree that tap water needs to be filtered to remove the many toxins that it contains. However both RO and Distilled water are dead water, less conductive and less hydrating than water that has not been stripped.
    Have you ever muscle-tested someone for their body’s response to either of these waters?

    • Alex

      I’m with Marcia on this – i had a distiller for a while and was only too glad to get rid of it.

  53. Italia

    Vivian, thank you for your suggestions about lemons. When we go to the restaurant and the server gives you water with a slice of lemon, guess what I eat the lemon slice and also the one my husband’s. Very good and I know is it good for my health.
    Also when I was a child my father had a lemon tree in the back yard you should see me I would climb the three and take one lemon and eat the the whole lemon.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      That’s terrific, Italia! Sounds like you were the original lemonade kid!

  54. Jean Esler

    Is the water that comes out of a humidifier distilled water? Is it ok to drink if you filter it? I get about 2 gallons a day from mine in the summer.

  55. Arnaldo Perez Suarez

    Una persona amiga me recomendo que para aprovechar la temporada en que los mercados ofertan limones de buena calidad y a buen precio, hacer jugo de limon, puro, y ponerlo en una bandeja en el congelador, haciendo cubitos de limon, que despues se depositan en una bolsa plastica y se almacenan en el congelador, para su posterior consumo. Mi pregunta es, se mantienen las propiedades del limon con este procedimiento ?

  56. shirley thacker

    thanks, sounds interesting, will try.

  57. constance

    Thank you for all the interesting tips, I am taking advantage of the tips, I am a great lover of lemonade.
    constance

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Thanks, Constance! If you already love lemonade, this tip is a natural for you!

  58. Jo Lynne

    I have a question about the lemon juice. Good lemons are not as easy to get here as in Florida. Would it work to simply use bottled lemon juice? What are the pros and cons?

    • Deb

      I live in Kansas, and am wondering the same thing about lemons versus lemon juice, pros & cons? I have to lemon in my water & tea when I eat out, but usually use bottled lemon juice at home.

      • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

        Hi Lynne & Deb,

        If lemons aren’t available, lemon juice is an acceptable substitute. Just make sure it’s pure lemon juice with nothing added, and as fresh as possible. And organic, if at all possible.

        Another option is to add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to your water instead of lemon juice. I know that sounds like it might taste weird, but it’s just a few drops, and it really won’t change the flavor of your water too much.

  59. Brenda

    Dear Vivian,

    I just read your book and am enlightened. I need your help though – can you recommend a multivitamin that contains everything you say we need for bone health that includes calcium and vitamin D?? I went to the drug store yesterday and was overwhelmed with the amount of vitamins on the market.
    Thank you!
    Brenda

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Brenda,

      Isn’t enlightenment wonderful?

      But yes, the multitude of supplement choices can be confusing. Your best bet might be to find a reputable local health food store where you’ll be able to get some personal assistance.

      Also, it might be difficult to find one multi-vitamin that contains everything you need; you may need to get a separate calcium/vitamin D supplement. Just remember to look for organic, plant-derived calcium.

      I hope this helps!

  60. Katherine Kubik

    Sounds great, I love all your postings! What is stevia?

    • BETTY NAPP

      STEVIA IS A VERY SWEET HERB . SAFEST SWEETNER I KNOW OF is now comming into grocery stors under didderent names also in health food stores can also buy own plants and grow your own

      • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

        Hi Katherine,

        To add to what Betty said, Stevia is a plant-derived sweetener that’s low calorie and alkalizing. It may not be available in all countries, but you should be able to order it online. You might try https://vitacost.com or https://puritan.com. Both sites have excellent discounts on supplements. Do a search for “stevia” at either of these sites.

  61. Vic

    If you would like a stronger lemon flavour, try adding lemon zest until you get to the desired level.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Good idea!

  62. Marilyn

    You mention adding lemon drops to distilled water. Can you add lemon drops to water by reverse osmosis or is this not necessary?

    • Marion

      I don’t like lemons. Would limes be a good substitute?

  63. Ian Melrose

    “And lemon juice has an alkaline pH, which of course is important to bone health.

    If you read the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, you probably know that lemons are one of the Foundation Foods. In addition to being alkalizing, lemons contain vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium?”

    Wrong: lemon juice is about 5% citric acid and has a pH of about 2; it is therefore very acidic and not alkaline as you say (see above quote from your email that I received today).

    • Rosemary

      Foods: are they Acid or Alkaline-forming?
      Note that a food’s acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For example, lemons are very acidic, however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are alkaline so lemons are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is classified as acid-forming.

      It is important that your daily dietary intake of food naturally acts to balance your body pH. To maintain health, the diet should consist of at least 60% alkaline forming foods and at most 40% acid forming foods. To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

      Copied from another source on the net.

    • Veronica Planton

      While fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes and pineapples, are acid when you eat them, by the process of enzymatic digestion, they are turned into alkaline substances.

      • Jeff, Australia

        Lemons are acidic to start with but have an alkalizing effect on our bodies once the digestive process begins. (The same can be said for other citrus fruits)

        Be sure to drink the pulp of any citrus juice. WHY? Because the white part (pith) helps with absorption of vitamin C and contains bioflavonoids.

        Bioflavonoids assist with absorption and protection of Vitamin C and therefore associated with enhancing the functioning of Vitamin C. Straight Vitamin C is less effective without the Bioflavonoids.

        Strained juices are a waste of time health-wise. Another example: Cloudy apple juice is far superior to the strained (filtered) types as it has more calcium in it.

        Good health to all.

    • Jean Esler

      I don’t know where you got your information, but according to the Essential Oils Desk Reference fresh lemons have a pH of 9.9, so they are definitely alkaline.

      • Raquel Rego

        I agree with this. Lemons are alkaline based and not acidic at all.

  64. patricia psalmiero

    I bought the save our bones program,I’d like to see more recipes.Also what do you think of discontinuing arimedex,after taking for over 5 years?Its causing me bone loss.

  65. Judith Brooksbank

    I am not at all convinced. I have read your information in your online booklet and you say that we need alkaline foods to avoid robbing our bones of calcium. But lemons are high in acid – citric acid. Sorry, it’s just not logical to espouse their use.

    • Rebecca

      Hi Judith, I can only say that I use lemons on a regular basis, in my water and my recipes, on my skin. People ask me things like …What am I using on my skin? Who cuts my hair? You’re how old?
      I turned 50 last month and that gets met with shock.
      God Bless ( :

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Judith,

      Lemon has an alkaline effect in the human body, despite its high acid content; once it has been sufficiently digested in the stomach it tends to alkalize.

    • jesi

      VIVIAN,
      I think STRESS steals our bone health, (among other things)…when stresssed your body produces cortisol. then your body tries to protect itself and steals the calcium from your bones and produces fat around your belly to neutrailize the cottisol what a vicious cycle…

      • Rebecca

        Oh sorry! That was meant for another post. I will say I read many sites for nutritional topics and I greatly enjoyed this site for it’s info.
        Thank you!

  66. Cindy

    I drink distilled water with lemon every day as you suggest in the saveourbones program. Occasionally I make lemonade using truvia. I tried the stevia powder but did not like the bitter after taste. I was wondering what you know about the new natural sweetener Lo Han that I have seen advertised in my vitamin catalog. It is made from monk fruit.
    Thanks always for sharing from your wealth of knowledge.

    • Jo Lynne

      I have been using liquid stevia and do not find it has the bitter aftertaste. It is also easier to add to the water. It only takes 6-8 drops of stevia to make my lemon water very pleasant. A bottle is a bit expensive, but has over 400 drops so lasts and lasts.

  67. jean

    Hi,

    Thank you again for this advise and imformation.

    I know my bones are mutch stronger now and that ofcourse has helped my whole being.

    I will ofcourse use more lemons to help keep me healthy. I have tried silicia for my bones and my hair as well but have had dreadful side effects.

  68. Marysia Dunlop

    Hi Vivian 🙂

    Thanks for your recipe. I have actually passed this on to my children who incidentally are both married and have family of their own. My son is a health fanatic and does everything he can to make sure nothing will ever pass his lips until he has investigated the contents, so this recipe is ideal for him. My daughter will love it too.

    As for myself having SJOGRENS makes taking lemons or any other acidic fruits actually burn my mouth so badly and causes me to have mouth ulcers. The sourness of the fruits try to make my saliva flow but as there is no saliva the glands become very painful trying and my mouth just “burns”.

    Now most of you out there who have this condition will know exactly what this means to SJOGRENS sufferers. We have no tears or saliva.

    I just wish I could make and take this for myself.

    have a nice day
    Marysia 🙂

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Marysia,

      You certainly don’t have to eat lemons to do well with the Save Our Bones program. Lemons are just one of many bone-supporting foods. The program isn’t dependent on eating any one food. If you can’t tolerate (or don’t like) any particular food, simply choose from the wealth of other options.

  69. Susan Beidelschies

    I just started drinking a Crystal clear natural flavor Key Lime sparkling warter beverage, its a carbonated water, citric acid, potassium citrate, potassium benzoate (preservative) natural flavor, sucralose.acesulfame potassium, neotame, I don’t care for water that much but I find I like this flavored water , could you let me know if drinking this is o.k. and what is stevia and where would I get it.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Susan,

      Sucralose is a toxic and acidifying artificial sweetener. You’d be much better off adding a few drops of lemon or lime to plain water. You should be able to get stevia at any health food store. You can also order it online. A couple of good sites are https://vitacost.com and https://puritan.com. Both sites have excellent discounts on supplements. Do a search for “stevia” at either one.

    • D. Maggie Bauer-Dilts

      Stevia is a sugar substitute. Contains no Aspartame, no carbohydrates and no calories. Use with caution if you have known allergies to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family (ragweed)

      • Susan Weston

        Hi, Vivian,

        Thank you very much for always share the healthy info for us.

        Lemonate is of one of our favorote drink. with your recipes my husband and I don’t need to worry about caloris now.

        Thanks again.

        Susan

  70. Judy

    How about limes – do they have the same nutriunts as lemons. I have a tree in my yard so they are always available.

    • Marion

      I enjoy the articles we receive and the lemon one sounds great. Since I don’t like lemons would limes be a good substitute.

    • Irma

      I grow up having lemonade made from limes, and also use them in cooking and salads; I wonder if I can get the same benefits that we get from lemons.

  71. Carol

    I have been a plain water drinker and pretty much only drank water for some years now. Adding a little lemon to my distilled water makes me feel like my thirst is never quenched. Will this go away eventually?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You should become accustomed to it. If you’re drinking the water at room temperature, you might try drinking it chilled. And you only need to add a few drops of lemon juice. If it’s changing the taste of your water that drastically, perhaps you’re overdoing it with the lemon.

  72. Linda Fox

    Would love to make your version of lemonade but stevia is not available in the UK. Do you know of an alternative available here?

    • Dawn

      It is available on the internet, just type Stevia into you browser.

      • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

        Hi Dawn,

        You might try https://vitacost.com or https://puritan.com. Both sites have excellent discounts on supplements. Do a search for “stevia” at either of these sites.

      • Mary

        I purchase stevia drops and tablets from the health food store.

        My sister told me she used to buy the plant and then grind it to use as a sweetener.

        But people didn’t like the look of a green sweetener so now they bleach it to make it saleable.

        Once man starts interfering with products they are ruined.

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