Can lemon reverse pre-diabetes? French biochemist shares study on ways it can help

How to reverse pre-diabetes: According to the expert, eriocitrin in lemons can help with reversing pre-diabetes and managing it better (Image: Pexels)

Lemons are often found in many Indian households as they add a citrusy, zingy flavour to foods and drinks. Besides their taste, they pack a punch when it comes to health benefits, as they contain fibre and vitamin C, both good for immunity, digestion, and skin health. And that’s not all.

According to French biochemist Jessie Inchauspé, lemons can also help with reversing pre-diabetes and managing it better. She took to her Instagram account to share a study that found eriocitrin in lemons caused a complete reversal in 24 percent of pre-diabetes cases.

“In this study, 100 people with pre-diabetes, on their way to type 2 diabetes, took 200 milligrams of this lemon substance every day, and 24 percent of the cases of pre-diabetes were completely reversed.”

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A post shared by Jessie Inchauspé (@glucosegoddess)

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“So people who had their fasting glucose in the pre-diabetes range were able to get their levels down to the healthy range just by supplementing 200 milligrams of eriocitrin per day, and this was placebo-controlled. This was a very high-quality study,” she added.

Praising the approach, the French biochemist said it’s a highly effective method to lower glucose levels, as it works through a different pathway than DNJ. However, she cautioned that drinking lemon juice instead of taking supplements is not the wisest idea.

“It’s kind of the same thing with mulberry leaf tea. You can’t get enough concentration of eriocitrin from just lemon juice. You would have to drink two litres of lemon juice per day. Don’t do that.”

“When we extract molecules from plants and concentrate them, we make our lives much better because scientists are able to identify which specific molecule in the lemon produces the effect. They extract just that and concentrate it,” she explained.

Also read | Protein and steady blood sugar level: Here's how to reduce diabetes and prediabetes risks

Gut doctor Nate Fulton replied to the post, praising the benefits of lemon in helping control blood sugar, but pointed out that this must be combined with a nutritious diet, a workout routine, and a healthy lifestyle.

“Love seeing more spotlight on citrus polyphenols like eriocitrin. Blood sugar balance isn’t just about carbs or willpower—it’s about mitochondrial signalling, insulin sensitivity, and real-time nutrient support. Stack this with movement, protein-forward meals, and nervous system regulation,” he wrote.

FAQs on How To Reverse Pre-diabetes

1. What are the benefits of lemons for health?

Lemons are rich in fibre and vitamin C, which are beneficial for immunity, digestion, and skin health.

2. How can lemons help in reversing pre-diabetes?

Eriocitrin in lemons has shown to reverse pre-diabetes in 24% of cases, according to a study shared by French biochemist Jessie Inchauspé.

3. How much eriocitrin is needed for reversing pre-diabetes?

A daily supplement of 200 milligrams of eriocitrin was found effective in reversing pre-diabetes.

4. Is drinking lemon juice as effective as taking supplements for eriocitrin?

No, drinking lemon juice alone is not sufficient. You would need to consume two litres daily to match the supplement concentration.

5. What should accompany eriocitrin supplementation for better results?

Combining eriocitrin supplementation with a nutritious diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle enhances blood sugar control.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.