Fact Check: Can mixture of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder increase brain function by 100%?
An Instagram post claims that drinking a mixture of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder increases brain function by 100%. The claim is False.
Claim
The Instagram post claims that drinking a mixture of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder increases brain function by 100%. The user weightlosmystery posted the reel which state, "This is the strongest Fat Loss drink that works faster than so many expensive supplements. This drink. Not only burns your belly fat but also increases your brain function by 100%. Start by adding half teaspoon of coffee powder, in one cup of warm water. Then squeeze half a lemon in it for better results. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder in it, stir it for five minutes and drink this daily on an empty stomach."
The post can be accessed here.
Fact Check
The claim is False. The brain works through different regions that activate based on various activities and states, and no combination of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder can fully optimize its function to 100%.
Understanding Brain Function
The human brain is the control centre of the nervous system. It allows us to think, remember, move, and feel emotions, making it one of the most advanced outcomes of biological evolution.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines brain health as "an ability to perform all the mental processes of cognition, including the ability to learn and judge, use language, and remember." The brain is a highly complex organ with three primary functions that shape every aspect of our daily lives: it interprets sensory information and controls movement, supports cognitive processes along with mental and emotional well-being, and regulates behaviour while facilitating social interactions.
The brain has three main parts that carry out essential functions: the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for managing motor and sensory information, as well as conscious and unconscious behaviours. It plays a key role in emotions, intelligence, memory, and complex thinking.
The cerebellum helps control movements by making them smooth and accurate. It also plays a role in thinking, focusing, understanding language, and managing emotions like fear and pleasure. The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls essential automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, body temperature, sleep cycles, digestion, and reflexes like coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting.
Exploring the Truth Behind 100% Brain Function
It is incorrect to say that the brain functions at 100%. The brain has over 120 billion neurons responsible for transmitting information, and while not all regions are active at the same time, all areas of the brain are active to some degree over the course of the day.
The brain remains active all the time, even when we are at rest. Studies using resting-state fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) have shown that the brain continuously communicates between different regions through interconnected networks, like the default-mode network, which remains active even when we’re not performing specific tasks. However, not all parts of the brain are equally active at all times—different regions activate depending on tasks, experiences, or resting conditions.
Health Benefits of Coffee, Lemon Juice and Cinnamon Powder
Coffee, scientifically known as C. arabica, is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. It is a complex chemical mixture that contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acid, polyphenols, methylxanthines (such as caffeine), carbohydrates, lipids, nitrogenous compounds, nicotinic acid, and minerals like potassium and magnesium. Some studies suggest that coffee consumption may help in the prevention of certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver disease. Additionally, it may assist in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), support liver function, and potentially provide a protective effect against certain neurodegenerative conditions and specific types of cancer. However, these potential benefits should be interpreted cautiously and within the context of overall dietary and lifestyle factors.
Lemon (Citrus limon L.) is a widely used citrus fruit known for its rich content of vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants that may benefit health. Lemons may boost immunity by supporting white blood cells, improve heart health by lowering homocysteine levels, and help prevent kidney stones due to their high citric acid content. Lemon extract has shown potential cancer-fighting properties in studies, and folate in lemons supports pregnancy health. They may also aid weight loss, improve liver health, and possess antimicrobial properties against harmful bacteria.
Cinnamon is known as the eternal tree of tropical medicine and is a popular spice used daily around the world. It is packed with beneficial compounds, including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate, which contribute to its numerous health-promoting properties. Cinnamon is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and heart-protective effects. It may also help lower cholesterol levels and support overall heart health. Additionally, research suggests that cinnamon could have potential benefits for brain health, including conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Can drinking a mixture of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder increase brain function by 100%?
Coffee, lemon, and cinnamon offer various health and nutritional benefits. Limited coffee consumption may help in the prevention of certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Lemons may support immunity by boosting white blood cell function and promoting heart health. Cinnamon is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. While some studies suggest these ingredients may support cognitive function, memory, learning, and mental well-being, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to confirm that they can increase brain function by 100%.
A systematic review published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience concluded that cinnamon and its bioactive compounds may positively influence brain function, particularly in areas related to memory and learning. Having said that, it does not mention anything about the 100% improvement of brain function.
Another review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlighted that low to moderate consumption of coffee, whether regular or decaffeinated, may support improvements in various health aspects, including cognitive function and mental well-being. However, the review does not suggest that coffee consumption increases brain function by 100%.
A study published in the journal Antioxidants on the role of lemon in brain function found that Lemon IntegroPectin, derived from organic lemon waste, shows strong potential to protect brain cells and mitochondria from oxidative stress, a factor linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s. While its unique structure and compounds may support brain health, further research is needed to confirm these findings. Notably, the study also does not mention lemon juice or any claims about increasing brain function by 100%.
While studies highlight the role of coffee, cinnamon, and lemon in supporting cognitive function, memory, learning, and protecting brain cells from neurological disorders, it is false to claim that these or any ingredients can increase brain function by 100%. Different brain regions activate based on specific tasks, experiences, or resting states. Furthermore, there is no medical consensus supporting the claim that a mixture of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder can enhance brain function by 100%.
Dr Vikram Sharma, Clinical Director & Senior Consultant Neurologist CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, told Medical Dialogues, "While a cup of coffee or a squeeze of lemon may energize in their own right, together with cinnamon they form no magic elixir. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that consuming them together on an empty stomach can increase brain function by 100%. Though caffeine can stir alertness and focus in the short term, such household items hold no secret to doubling brain function overnight. Cinnamon may support neural processes through time, and vitamin C aids overall wellness, but their mixture creates no overnight intellectual transformation. It’s important to rely on balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and proper sleep for optimal brain health. Always approach such claims critically and consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice."
Dr Avinash Kulkarni, DM( Neurology), MRCP SCE ( Neurology), Fellowship in Neuroimmunology, added, "Drinking a mixture of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder on an empty stomach is unlikely to increase brain function by 100%. While each ingredient has individual health benefits—caffeine in coffee can boost alertness, lemon juice is rich in antioxidants, and cinnamon may support blood sugar regulation—there is no scientific evidence to support this specific combination dramatically enhancing brain function. Improving brain health requires a holistic approach, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, proper sleep, and mental stimulation."
Medical Dialogues Final Take
Coffee, lemon, and cinnamon are known to provide various benefits for brain health, such as supporting memory, learning, and cognitive function. However, it is incorrect to claim that these ingredients can increase brain function by 100%. The brain’s activity involves different regions working based on specific tasks, experiences, or rest, and no combination of these ingredients can enhance its function to such an extent. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle remain essential for maintaining overall brain health.
Hence the claim drinking a mixture of coffee, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder increases brain function by 100% is False.
