Drinking a cup of warm, fresh lemon water in the morning is something that even nutritionists do every day. You can start your day with a cup of lemon water that has great health benefits and can cure almost all ailments.

A natural detoxifying agent is lemon with hot water, because it wakes up the liver and destroys harmful toxins. While lemons seem acidic, they are actually a great alkaline food that can balance the body’s pH. Lemon with hot water also awakens the digestive tract. This drink invigorates the gastrointestinal tract, which improves the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Hot lemon water additionally soothes an upset stomach. After going to bed on a full stomach, heartburn or bloating can bothersome in the morning. Hot water cleanses the body system while acidity in the stomach is decreased by the flavonoids in lemon juice.

Even though there are some health benefits of drinking warm lemon water in the morning, the downside is that lemon can cause erosion to the teeth. Whfoods.org reminds us that lemon juice has a pH between 2 and 3, which is detrimental to teeth. Due to this, it is crucial to take other measures to protect the enamel on the teeth. In order to minimize the damage to the teeth you should avoid vinegar based foods as well as candy. Always rinse out the mouth after eating sugar or carbohydrates.

A final way to care for your teeth is to clean them properly throughout the day. If you drink a lot of water, that will help to flush impurities out of the mouth. Brushing for two minutes twice a day is vital, but according to mouthhealthy.org it is also important to not over brush, because it can wear down the teeth. Utilizing a straw can also help acidic drinks bypass the teeth, saving them from harm.

The distinction between lemon juice and lemon oil is lemon juice comes from the pulp of a lemon, while lemon essential oil is distilled from the lemon rind. The citric acid that is present in the juice makes it sour, and seemingly acidic. Individuals with delicate stomachs may be sensitive to this citric acid. If you only use the rind, the sour taste is avoided, as it does not have citric acid. This is the reason why the lemon essential oil is easy to ingest.

The health benefits of lemon are almost without an end. However, it is important to care for your teeth. The best way to have the best of both worlds is to ingest lemon essential oil, bypassing the citric acid of the fruit. Lemon essential oil has the same health benefits like drinking a warm cup of water with fresh lemon in the morning.

A glass of lemon water to start your day can help keep the doctor away. Why do I say that? According to Hippocrates “All disease begin in the gut”, and modern research has also concluded that an unhealthy gut environment impacts the immune system and leads to a myriad of diseases.

Drinking vitamin C rich lemon water (especially first thing in the morning) helps your gut by stimulating the production of hydrochloric acid, a critical ingredient needed by our stomach to digest and expel waste. Lemon is known to neutralize free-radicals in our body, and helps greatly in balancing our body’s pH levels (more on that below). And there are more benefits that I want to share with you too.

As recently as a few years ago, I would start my day by drinking a cup of coffee to “wake myself up”. It was a habit that lasted around 7 years until I replaced coffee with juice this year. I have to admit, I still drink coffee but only on occasion when I’m with friends, but it is nowhere near the amount I was drinking before.

Overall, this little yellow fruit packs a lot of nutritional punch. It is rich in antioxidants that will neutralize free radicals from oxidizing cells and it stimulates our digestive system to flush out toxins from the body.

The biggest benefit in my book is the very low sugar levels. According to ThePaleoDiet, per 100 grams it only has 0.2 grams of fructose and 0.2 of glucose which makes this fruit suitable for almost anyone looking for a quick nutritional boost every morning.

Here’s the nutrition you’ll get from 100 grams of lemon juice:

Source: Nutrition Data

Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Post-Workout Recovery

Lemon is rich in electrolytes and an be used alone or in combination with apple and celery to as a post-workout recovery drink. This recipe includes lemon, lime, water, sea salt, and honey/natural sugar and provides a safer, more affordable alternative to commercial “energy drinks”.

One thing people don’t realize when they workout is that their body becomes very acidic after an intense workout. Lemon is a great neutralizer of that high acidity inside your body. [1]

Tip: You can also replenish loss fluids during workouts by drinking lemon water instead of just plain water to improve muscle endurance (particularly for running).

Alkalizes the Body, Helps Maintain pH

Nutritionists like Gareth Edwards say that has a great alkalizing effect on the body because “minerals in it disassociate to make it alkaline” as it gets absorbed by the body.

Even though lemon is acidic itself, when it enters the bloodstream “the alkalizing salts override the presence of acids” during the metabolic processes that happens when it enters the bloodstream. [2]

When our body becomes more acidic, it is more prone to disease. A great way of balancing pH levels is drinking water infused with fresh lemon juice to alkalize the body and lowering acidity levels. [5]

Tip: Avoid adding honey, maple syrup or any type of sweetener because doing so will just have the opposite effect which is to raise the body’s acidity levels.

Asthma Treatment

Lemon has been listed in countless home remedies lists as one of the best natural treatments for asthma that’s because it is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free radicals which causes smooth muscle contraction and airway constriction, both symptoms of asthma. It also helps clear out mucus from air vessels. [3]

Tip: Don’t just rely on lemon for treatment, if your doctor prescribes an inhaler by all means use it just in case you have asthma attacks. Lemon is only meant to provide you with the dietary supplement you need to fight this condition.

Balances Blood Sugar Levels

Lemon is rich in bioflavonoids which give this fruit its yellow color. This same compound also naturally stimulates the production of insulin in our body which in turn balances our blood sugar levels. [4]

Tip: If you juice try using lemon as the only sweetener in your recipes, it has very little sugar and calories. It takes takes a little bit to get used to but the results will be well worth it. If it’s too bitter or sour, add one apple to the mix.

Brain Food

This little yellow fruit is rich in potassium which is considered brain food. [6]

Caffeine Replacement

Lemon is a natural energy booster, even more so if you add honey to it. I’ve said earlier in this article that I was a chain coffee drinker, and I’ve replaced it lemon water with no regrets whatsoever. [7]

Detoxifies

The citric acid present in lemon helps flush toxins from the colon, gallbladder and liver that otherwise would be absorbed by the body. The best effect can be had by drinking this first thing in the morning before any meals. [8]

Dissolves Phlegm

Citric acid present in lemon will help dissolve phlegm. In addition to that it is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and K that help fight off cough and colds.

The traditional concoction involves combining lemon with warm water and honey. Warm water in a way sooths irritation (at the same time is a decongestant) caused by cough. William Sears says that honey is a very effective at dissolving phlegm, more effective than cough syrups. [9]

Tip: Remember that if your cough does not improve a few days after drinking this mixture, consult a physician and take proper medication. This only serves as a natural first aid alternative.

Fights Cancer Cells

Remember about the compound Bioflavonoids I was talking about earlier, it turns out that this also works as an antioxidant that fights cell oxidation and free radical damage which are the main culprits of cancer. Theresa Chung who wrote “The Lemon Juice Diet” went as far as saying that it can help prevent cancer. It also contains pectin that according to Vijaya Kumarhave been known to protect the intestines from cancer.

Heart Food

Potassium found in lemon is vital for the function of our heart, it does not treat any ailment but it helps in preventing heart related illnesses like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and irregular heartbeat.

Helps Hydrate the Lymphatic System

According to Dr. John Douillard, the lymph system largest circulatory system in our body, twice as large as the arterial system, it is responsible for flushing out waste and toxins out of our system. Keeping it hydrated is important to our overall health.

Actually, water alone is enough to hydrate the lymph system but I added lemon here because it helps in alkalizing thus balancing acidity levels.

Helps Relieve Constipation

This combo is great as a home remedy for constipation. Water helps lubricate the digestive system and soften stool. Citric acid found in lemon induces bowel movement that will flush out undigested waste from the colon. [10]

Helps Treat Scurvy

Scurvy for those who don’t know is a disease that is a direct result of vitamin C deficiency. Sailors are most prone to this disease because of their extended mission trips on sea that often outlast their produce supply. Lemon water is the treatment of choice for this ailment because it is rich in vitamin C. Water is great as masking the sharp flavor thus allowing them to drink this concoction in large amounts.

Supports Digestive Health

A cup of warm water before any meal in the morning will help break down waste and flush out to toxins from the gut. That’s because at a molecular level, lemon is similar to your saliva that encourages the liver to produce bile – a fluid needed by our intestines to dispose waste and toxins. [11]

Tip: Warm lemon water should be the first thing that goes in your stomach in the morning, before having breakfast or any other liquid.

Helps Prevent Eyesight Degeneration

Being rich in vitamin C also has a positive effect on your eyesight as this will help prevent eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataract. [12]

It also contains a tiny bit of vitamin A (1% per 244 grams), another key nutrient for good vision.

Supports the Immune System

Lemons are rich in nutrients like bioflavonoids, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, citric acid, folate and pectin that boost our body’s immune system and immobilize free radicals (the cause of many ailments).

18. Increases Metabolism and Promotes Weight Loss

It is a little known fact that drinking 8 glasses of water (8 ounces per glass) each day actually boosts your metabolism or how much your body burns calories by 30%. This is based on a study done by Michael Boschmann of the Franz Volhard Research Center. Lemon adds some flavor to water which will help you drink more plus it has pectin which suppresses appetite. [13]

Tip: Most of the pectin and dietary fiber is found in the white pithy part under the skin, make sure to eat this as well.

Helps Keep the Body Hydrated

If drinking pure water is a chore for you, consider adding a few slices of lemon in there to add a bit of flavor and sharpness to it. It’ll help hydrate your body and replenish lost vitamin and minerals you lose when you get stressed. [14]

Kills Free Radicals

Per 100grams of lemon juice, you’ll get 77% of your daily vitamin C requirements which is known to neutralize free radicals in our body.

Kills Worms

Parasites like worms thrive in an acidic environment. Drinking lemon mixed in water helps in flushing them out.

Lowers High Blood Pressure

Citrus fruits like lemon are rich in vitamin C that helps in thinning the blood, in addition to its antioxidant properties. Another mineral found in this fruit that helps lower blood pressure is potassium that flushes out excess sodium. [15]

Tip: if you suffer high blood pressure it is important that you keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. A lack of water in the body tells your system to go into preservation mode, which means it will hang on to every last drop of water your body has, the effect of which is the thickening of the blood – another cause of high blood pressure.

Lowers Stress Levels

One thing that gets depleted when you’re stressed is vitamin C so the next time your stress levels go up, take a break and replenish that lost vitamin C with a cup of warm lemon water. [16]

Helps Prevent Bad Breath

It helps two ways here. First by killing the bad-breath-causing bacteria in your mouth and second, by flushing away toxins in your liver that when overworked releases bad smelling substances to the bloodstream, lungs then out the mouth. [17]

Radiant Skin

Its antioxidant properties help you get more radiant skin from the inside out by repairing damaged cells, flushing out toxins and killing free radicals that can ruin our skin. [18]

Reduces Uric Acid and Inflammation

Lemon is rich in potassium and citrate that prevent the crystallization and buildup of uric acid inside the body which also causes swelling. Since it is a diuretic it will help flush out excess fluid from the body and that includes the uric acid thus reducing inflammation. [19] Inflammation is associated with a range of common diseases.

Tip: To get the maximum benefit, drink a glass after every meal and avoid adding any sweeteners in there like honey because this is a byproduct of fructose metabolism. [20]

Treats Kidney Stones (and Prevent It)

Dr. Hoffman said in this article that the citrate present in lemon help inhibit oxalate crystals from forming, one of the most common kidney stones. He recommends mixing 4 ounces of lemon juice to two liters of water to increase urinary citrate levels. Oh, avoid adding any sugar or honey for the maximum benefit.

Helps Prevent Urinary Tract Infection

My wife has had her battles with UTI and a recent bout with it left her weak and unable to work for almost a week. Her friend’s sister had it much worst; the UTI she had led to septic shockwhich almost took her life – but fortunately she was able to overcome it.

Studies have shown that lemon has antiseptic properties that prevent sepsis – a conditionwhen left untreated may lead to septic shock. If you have UTI, drink lots of water to flush out toxins and facilitate the healing process. Lemon juice is a natural antibiotic that kill the bacteria inside the bladder and urethra so adding this to water will help in naturally relieving the pain. [21][22]

Your Liver Will Love It

Vitamin C, which is abundant in lemon, is needed by our body to produce glutathione which is needed to detoxify the liver. Also its antiseptic properties stimulate the liver in flushing out uric acid and other impurities. [23] Consult your health professional first if you have a serious liver complaint.

Some Handy Tips

General use

1. The best time to drink lemon water would be in the morning 15 to 30 minutes before having any type of meal because your body will be able to absorb more nutrients on an empty stomach.
2. Avoid any type of bottled/concentrated lemon juice as these are already pasteurized and contain artificial sweeteners that we don’t want. Remember adding sugar to a citrus fruit raises the body’s pH level. Using fresh lemon is always the best.
3. I’ve read some articles that go as far as saying to drink this even before brushing your teeth, I say that’s going overboard but it’s worth a shot.
4. Lifehack recommends that you use half a lemon if you weigh 150 pounds or less and a whole lemon if you weigh over 150 pounds.
5. You can use a straw to drink this since the acids found in lemon can eat away at the teeth’s protective enamel coating.
6. You could follow up with a glass of water to wash away those acids.

Looking to add more lemon to your diet?

1. You could squeeze lemon on meat, seafood or salad dishes to add a contrasting flavor to these dishes
2. Add lemon zest on drinks or desserts
3. It could be used as a base for cakes, cookies and other desserts

Sweeten it up, naturally

The most straightforward recipe would be squeezing half-a-lemon on a glass of warm water but if you think this is too sour for your taste, sweeten it up a bit by adding a teaspoon or two of pure honey. You can do this not only for added flavor but also to help you…

Pick up your energy level (by adding calories) – If you’re drained by 2 in the afternoon, trying drinking lemon water with honey. It helps in boosting energy levels because both of these ingredients are natural energy boosters. This certainly beats drinking artificial energy drinks like Red Bull.

Treat sore throat – This combination works well together in treating a sore throat. Lemon helps dissolve mucus and lemon acts as a lubricant that coats the backside of your throat providing some relief, plus the natural vitamin c aids the immune system.

Treat coughs – This is my personal home remedy for when I have cough. I’ll mix in honey plus half a lemon in a mug of hot water and will feel relieved afterwards. According to the Mayo Clinic, honey contains dextromethorphan, an ingredient found in over-the-counter cough medications, which works well as a home remedy to suppress coughs and sore throat.

Please note: Adding honey (or any type of sugar for that matter) to lemon water could turn it into an acidic concoction that could lower your body’s pH levels. According to Ross Bridgeford(the alkaline diet advocate) if your body’s pH levels go down, the red blood cells turn into mold, bacteria and yeast which in turn excrete acid waste. In short, sugar, whether it be honey or processed sugar combined with citrus makes the body highly acidic – a breeding ground for a lot of ailments.

Hot or cold?

As much as I’d like to drink it hot in the morning to wake up my senses, a lot of nutritionists and health experts say that you should only use lukewarm water because boiling water may kill the enzymes and cold water may disrupt the digestive benefits, causing your body to use more energy to absorb and heat the water, as compared to absorbing lukewarm or body-temperature water.

The only time I would recommend you drink it hot would be if you want to relieve constipation, nausea and heartburn.

Don’t throw away the skin

Don’t throw away the skin as it is a rich source of nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin A and C, calcium, beta carotene and iron. It is known to be a great anti-cancer agent because it flushes away carcinogenic stuff from our body.

You could eat the skin but I’d prefer to grate it on your desserts, food or drinks. It will all boil down on your preference. Remember if you’re planning on eating the skin make sure that you are using organic, that way you don’t have to worry about pesticides going into your system.

But.. Avoid eating the rind if you have kidney or gallbladder stones avoid eating the skin as it contains high amounts of oxalates that can crystalize and become stones.

How to prepare?

You can do what I do and squeeze it on a cup of warm water but that’s messy and you’ll need to exert some effort. To get more juice out of lemon, you could use an old fashioned reamer or a juicer.

Another way to prepare lemon water is chopping them off in slices and soaking them in a pitcher of water. This will help add to the flavor of water and help you drink more. Just make sure to wash it thoroughly and scrub the rind.

If possible, avoid using the microwave

I’d avoid using the microwave to heat this because of the radiation that could possibly kill the nutrients in this drink, if possible use a thermos and fill up 3/4’s of the cup with water (at room temp) and the other 1/4 with hot water, that should do the trick. If you need to use the microwave cover the cup with a small ceramic (not plastic) plate so it shields the drink from radiation

Can pregnant women drink this?

Dietitian Julie Redfern says that drinking lemon water can provide some relief from dizziness, headaches, endema, and cramps. The American Pregnancy Association says that even lemon scent helps provide relief to morning sickness. Only avoid this when you have allergies to citrus or if you have ulcer. Make sure to consult with your gynecologist before making any diet changes during pregnancy.

Finally, avoid lemon if…

Avoid lemon juice if you have an ulcer, or if you’re by chance allergic to lemons.

It would be best to consult your health care professional before regularly consuming lemon water if you think you may have an ulcer, allergy, or any other serious medical condition.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is, drinking lemon water promotes healing and improves our health.

This fruit from the rind all the way to its juices is a rich source of nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes that help flush out toxins, prevent diseases and promote healing in our bodies. Adding this drink to your diet will do a great deal in balancing your body’s pH levels that prevents it from being too acidic. It’s in an acidic environment where bacteria, parasites and cancer cells tend to thrive.

Remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to keep your body hydrated.

Ayurveda enables you to give a jump-start for the day by focusing on morning rituals that work to align the body with nature’s rhythms, balance the doshas & foster self-esteem alongside self-discipline. Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning will have tremendous impact on your overall health.
Lemon juice provides a high amount of Vitamin C. One lemon gives 30.7 mg Vitamin C, according to theU.S. Department of Agriculture. The recommended daily amount is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. People who consume more Vitamin C have more efficient digestive systems than people who don’t.

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water in the Morning:

Improves Digestion: Lemon juice helps loosen and flush out toxins from the digestive tract. Lemon juice can help ease indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. It also helps to move your bowels in the morning, hydrates your colon, and stimulates bile production.

Boosts Energy: Lemon water gives you an instant boost of energy and improves your mood right at the start of your day.

Weight Loss Aid: Although lemon water on its own is no weight loss miracle, it can definitely help you to achieve faster and long term results. Lemons assist in fighting hunger cravings, boost metabolism, and give you a stuffed feeling, making it less likely to snack in between meals.

Antibacterial and Antiviral: Lemons have antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help fight the flu, cold, and soothe a sore throat.

Boosts Brain Power: The high levels of potassium and magnesium show beneficial effects on our brain and nerve health. Lemon water can give you the boost you need to fight depression and stress.

Anti-cancer: Lemon’s antioxidants also reduce the risk of several types of cancer.

A glass of lemon water to start your day can help keep the doctor away. Why do I say that? According to Hippocrates “All disease begin in the gut”, and modern research has also concluded that an unhealthy gut environment impacts the immune system and leads to a myriad of diseases.

Drinking vitamin C rich lemon water (especially first thing in the morning) helps your gut by stimulating the production of hydrochloric acid, a critical ingredient needed by our stomach to digest and expel waste. Lemon is known to neutralize free-radicals in our body, and helps greatly in balancing our body’s pH levels (more on that below). And there are more benefits that I want to share with you too.

As recently as a few years ago, I would start my day by drinking a cup of coffee to “wake myself up”. It was a habit that lasted around 7 years until I replaced coffee with juice this year. I have to admit, I still drink coffee but only on occasion when I’m with friends, but it is nowhere near the amount I was drinking before.

Overall, this little yellow fruit packs a lot of nutritional punch. It is rich in antioxidants that will neutralize free radicals from oxidizing cells and it stimulates our digestive system to flush out toxins from the body.

The biggest benefit in my book is the very low sugar levels. According to ThePaleoDiet, per 100 grams it only has 0.2 grams of fructose and 0.2 of glucose which makes this fruit suitable for almost anyone looking for a quick nutritional boost every morning.

Here’s the nutrition you’ll get from 100 grams of lemon juice:

Source: Nutrition Data

Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Post-Workout Recovery

Lemon is rich in electrolytes and an be used alone or in combination with apple and celery to as a post-workout recovery drink. This recipe includes lemon, lime, water, sea salt, and honey/natural sugar and provides a safer, more affordable alternative to commercial “energy drinks”.

One thing people don’t realize when they workout is that their body becomes very acidic after an intense workout. Lemon is a great neutralizer of that high acidity inside your body. [1]

Tip: You can also replenish loss fluids during workouts by drinking lemon water instead of just plain water to improve muscle endurance (particularly for running).

Alkalizes the Body, Helps Maintain pH

Nutritionists like Gareth Edwards say that has a great alkalizing effect on the body because “minerals in it disassociate to make it alkaline” as it gets absorbed by the body.

Even though lemon is acidic itself, when it enters the bloodstream “the alkalizing salts override the presence of acids” during the metabolic processes that happens when it enters the bloodstream. [2]

When our body becomes more acidic, it is more prone to disease. A great way of balancing pH levels is drinking water infused with fresh lemon juice to alkalize the body and lowering acidity levels. [5]

Tip: Avoid adding honey, maple syrup or any type of sweetener because doing so will just have the opposite effect which is to raise the body’s acidity levels.

Asthma Treatment

Lemon has been listed in countless home remedies lists as one of the best natural treatments for asthma that’s because it is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free radicals which causes smooth muscle contraction and airway constriction, both symptoms of asthma. It also helps clear out mucus from air vessels. [3]

Tip: Don’t just rely on lemon for treatment, if your doctor prescribes an inhaler by all means use it just in case you have asthma attacks. Lemon is only meant to provide you with the dietary supplement you need to fight this condition.

Balances Blood Sugar Levels

Lemon is rich in bioflavonoids which give this fruit its yellow color. This same compound also naturally stimulates the production of insulin in our body which in turn balances our blood sugar levels. [4]

Tip: If you juice try using lemon as the only sweetener in your recipes, it has very little sugar and calories. It takes takes a little bit to get used to but the results will be well worth it. If it’s too bitter or sour, add one apple to the mix.

Brain Food

This little yellow fruit is rich in potassium which is considered brain food. [6]

Caffeine Replacement

Lemon is a natural energy booster, even more so if you add honey to it. I’ve said earlier in this article that I was a chain coffee drinker, and I’ve replaced it lemon water with no regrets whatsoever. [7]

Detoxifies

The citric acid present in lemon helps flush toxins from the colon, gallbladder and liver that otherwise would be absorbed by the body. The best effect can be had by drinking this first thing in the morning before any meals. [8]

Dissolves Phlegm

Citric acid present in lemon will help dissolve phlegm. In addition to that it is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and K that help fight off cough and colds.

The traditional concoction involves combining lemon with warm water and honey. Warm water in a way sooths irritation (at the same time is a decongestant) caused by cough. William Sears says that honey is a very effective at dissolving phlegm, more effective than cough syrups. [9]

Tip: Remember that if your cough does not improve a few days after drinking this mixture, consult a physician and take proper medication. This only serves as a natural first aid alternative.

Fights Cancer Cells

Remember about the compound Bioflavonoids I was talking about earlier, it turns out that this also works as an antioxidant that fights cell oxidation and free radical damage which are the main culprits of cancer. Theresa Chung who wrote “The Lemon Juice Diet” went as far as saying that it can help prevent cancer. It also contains pectin that according to Vijaya Kumar have been known to protect the intestines from cancer.

Heart Food

Potassium found in lemon is vital for the function of our heart, it does not treat any ailment but it helps in preventing heart related illnesses like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and irregular heartbeat.

Helps Hydrate the Lymphatic System

According to Dr. John Douillard, the lymph system largest circulatory system in our body, twice as large as the arterial system, it is responsible for flushing out waste and toxins out of our system. Keeping it hydrated is important to our overall health.

Actually, water alone is enough to hydrate the lymph system but I added lemon here because it helps in alkalizing thus balancing acidity levels.

Helps Relieve Constipation

This combo is great as a home remedy for constipation. Water helps lubricate the digestive system and soften stool. Citric acid found in lemon induces bowel movement that will flush out undigested waste from the colon. [10]

Helps Treat Scurvy

Scurvy for those who don’t know is a disease that is a direct result of vitamin C deficiency. Sailors are most prone to this disease because of their extended mission trips on sea that often outlast their produce supply. Lemon water is the treatment of choice for this ailment because it is rich in vitamin C. Water is great as masking the sharp flavor thus allowing them to drink this concoction in large amounts.

Supports Digestive Health

A cup of warm water before any meal in the morning will help break down waste and flush out to toxins from the gut. That’s because at a molecular level, lemon is similar to your saliva that encourages the liver to produce bile – a fluid needed by our intestines to dispose waste and toxins. [11]

Tip: Warm lemon water should be the first thing that goes in your stomach in the morning, before having breakfast or any other liquid.

Helps Prevent Eyesight Degeneration

Being rich in vitamin C also has a positive effect on your eyesight as this will help prevent eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataract. [12]

It also contains a tiny bit of vitamin A (1% per 244 grams), another key nutrient for good vision.

Supports the Immune System

Lemons are rich in nutrients like bioflavonoids, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, citric acid, folate and pectin that boost our body’s immune system and immobilize free radicals (the cause of many ailments).

18. Increases Metabolism and Promotes Weight Loss

It is a little known fact that drinking 8 glasses of water (8 ounces per glass) each day actually boosts your metabolism or how much your body burns calories by 30%. This is based on a study done by Michael Boschmann of the Franz Volhard Research Center. Lemon adds some flavor to water which will help you drink more plus it has pectin which suppresses appetite. [13]

Tip: Most of the pectin and dietary fiber is found in the white pity part under the skin, make sure to eat this as well.

Helps Keep the Body Hydrated

If drinking pure water is a chore for you, consider adding a few slices of lemon in there to add a bit of flavor and sharpness to it. It’ll help hydrate your body and replenish lost vitamin and minerals you lose when you get stressed. [14]

Kills Free Radicals

Per 100grams of lemon juice, you’ll get 77% of your daily vitamin C requirements which is known toneutralize free radicals in our body.

Kills Worms

Parasites like worms thrive in an acidic environment. Drinking lemon mixed in water helps in flushing them out.

Lowers High Blood Pressure

Citrus fruits like lemon are rich in vitamin C that helps in thinning the blood, in addition to its antioxidant properties. Another mineral found in this fruit that helps lower blood pressure is potassium that flushes out excess sodium. [15]

Tip: if you suffer high blood pressure it is important that you keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. A lack of water in the body tells your system to go into preservation mode, which means it will hang on to every last drop of water your body has, the effect of which is the thickening of the blood – another cause of high blood pressure.

Lowers Stress Levels

One thing that gets depleted when you’re stressed is vitamin C so the next time your stress levels go up, take a break and replenish that lost vitamin C with a cup of warm lemon water. [16]

Helps Prevent Bad Breath

It helps two ways here. First by killing the bad-breath-causing bacteria in your mouth and second, by flushing away toxins in your liver that when overworked releases bad smelling substances to the bloodstream, lungs then out the mouth. [17]

Radiant Skin

Its antioxidant properties help you get more radiant skin from the inside out by repairing damaged cells, flushing out toxins and killing free radicals that can ruin our skin. [18]

Reduces Uric Acid and Inflammation

Lemon is rich in potassium and citrate that prevent the crystallization and buildup of uric acid inside the body which also causes swelling. Since it is a diuretic it will help flush out excess fluid from the body and that includes the uric acid thus reducing inflammation. [19] Inflammation is associated with a range of common diseases.

Tip: To get the maximum benefit, drink a glass after every meal and avoid adding any sweeteners in there like honey because this is a byproduct of fructose metabolism. [20]

Treats Kidney Stones (and Prevent It)

Dr. Hoffman said in this article that the citrate present in lemon help inhibit oxalate crystals from forming, one of the most common kidney stones. He recommends mixing 4 ounces of lemon juice to two liters of water to increase urinary citrate levels. Oh, avoid adding any sugar or honey for the maximum benefit.

Helps Prevent Urinary Tract Infection

My wife has had her battles with UTI and a recent bout with it left her weak and unable to work for almost a week. Her friend’s sister had it much worst; the UTI she had led to septic shock which almost took her life – but fortunately she was able to overcome it.

Studies have shown that lemon has antiseptic properties that prevent sepsis – a condition when left untreated may lead to septic shock. If you have UTI, drink lots of water to flush out toxins and facilitate the healing process. Lemon juice is a natural antibiotic that kill the bacteria inside the bladder and urethra so adding this to water will help in naturally relieving the pain. [21][22]

Your Liver Will Love It

Vitamin C, which is abundant in lemon, is needed by our body to produce glutathione which is needed to detoxify the liver. Also its antiseptic properties stimulate the liver in flushing out uric acid and other impurities. [23] Consult your health professional first if you have a serious liver complaint.

Some Handy Tips

General use

1. The best time to drink lemon water would be in the morning 15 to 30 minutes before having any type of meal because your body will be able to absorb more nutrients on an empty stomach.
2. Avoid any type of bottled/concentrated lemon juice as these are already pasteurized and contain artificial sweeteners that we don’t want. Remember adding sugar to a citrus fruit raises the body’s pH level. Using fresh lemon is always the best.
3. I’ve read some articles that go as far as saying to drink this even before brushing your teeth, I say that’s going overboard but it’s worth a shot.
4. Lifehack recommends that you use half a lemon if you weigh 150 pounds or less and a whole lemon if you weigh over 150 pounds.
5. You can use a straw to drink this since the acids found in lemon can eat away at the teeth’s protective enamel coating.
6. You could follow up with a glass of water to wash away those acids.

Looking to add more lemon to your diet?

1. You could squeeze lemon on meat, seafood or salad dishes to add a contrasting flavor to these dishes
2. Add lemon zest on drinks or desserts
3. It could be used as a base for cakes, cookies and other desserts

Sweeten it up, naturally

The most straightforward recipe would be squeezing half-a-lemon on a glass of warm water but if you think this is too sour for your taste, sweeten it up a bit by adding a teaspoon or two of pure honey. You can do this not only for added flavor but also to help you…

Pick up your energy level (by adding calories) – If you’re drained by 2 in the afternoon, trying drinking lemon water with honey. It helps in boosting energy levels because both of these ingredients are natural energy boosters. This certainly beats drinking artificial energy drinks like Red Bull.

Treat sore throat – This combination works well together in treating a sore throat. Lemon helps dissolve mucus and lemon acts as a lubricant that coats the backside of your throat providing some relief, plus the natural vitamin c aids the immune system.

Treat coughs – This is my personal home remedy for when I have cough. I’ll mix in honey plus half a lemon in a mug of hot water and will feel relieved afterwards. According to the Mayo Clinic, honey contains dextromethorphan, an ingredient found in over-the-counter cough medications, which works well as a home remedy to suppress coughs and sore throat.

Please note: Adding honey (or any type of sugar for that matter) to lemon water could turn it into an acidic concoction that could lower your body’s pH levels. According to Ross Bridgeford (the alkaline diet advocate) if your body’s pH levels go down, the red blood cells turn into mold, bacteria and yeast which in turn excrete acid waste. In short, sugar, whether it be honey or processed sugar combined with citrus makes the body highly acidic – a breeding ground for a lot of ailments.

Hot or cold?

As much as I’d like to drink it hot in the morning to wake up my senses, a lot of nutritionists and health experts say that you should only use lukewarm water because boiling water may kill the enzymes and cold water may disrupt the digestive benefits, causing your body to use more energy to absorb and heat the water, as compared to absorbing lukewarm or body-temperature water.

The only time I would recommend you drink it hot would be if you want to relieve constipation, nausea and heartburn.

Don’t throw away the skin

Don’t throw away the skin as it is a rich source of nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin A and C, calcium, beta carotene and iron. It is known to be a great anti-cancer agent because it flushes away carcinogenic stuff from our body.

You could eat the skin but I’d prefer to grate it on your desserts, food or drinks. It will all boil down on your preference. Remember if you’re planning on eating the skin make sure that you are using organic, that way you don’t have to worry about pesticides going into your system.

But.. Avoid eating the rind if you have kidney or gallbladder stones avoid eating the skin as it contains high amounts of oxalates that can crystalize and become stones.

How to prepare?

You can do what I do and squeeze it on a cup of warm water but that’s messy and you’ll need to exert some effort. To get more juice out of lemon, you could use an old fashioned reamer or a juicer.

Another way to prepare lemon water is chopping them off in slices and soaking them in a pitcher of water. This will help add to the flavor of water and help you drink more. Just make sure to wash it thoroughly and scrub the rind.

If possible, avoid using the microwave

I’d avoid using the microwave to heat this because of the radiation that could possibly kill the nutrients in this drink, if possible use a thermos and fill up 3/4’s of the cup with water (at room temp) and the other 1/4 with hot water, that should do the trick. If you need to use the microwave cover the cup with a small ceramic (not plastic) plate so it shields the drink from radiation

Can pregnant women drink this?

Dietitian Julie Redfern says that drinking lemon water can provide some relief from dizziness, headaches, endema, and cramps. The American Pregnancy Association says that even lemon scent helps provide relief to morning sickness. Only avoid this when you have allergies to citrus or if you have ulcer. Make sure to consult with your gynecologist before making any diet changes during pregnancy.

Finally, avoid lemon if…

Avoid lemon juice if you have an ulcer, or if you’re by chance allergic to lemons.

It would be best to consult your health care professional before regularly consuming lemon water if you think you may have an ulcer, allergy, or any other serious medical condition.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is, drinking lemon water promotes healing and improves our health.

This fruit from the rind all the way to its juices is a rich source of nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes that help flush out toxins, prevent diseases and promote healing in our bodies. Adding this drink to your diet will do a great deal in balancing your body’s pH levels that prevents it from being too acidic. It’s in an acidic environment where bacteria, parasites and cancer cells tend to thrive.

Remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to keep your body hydrated.

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Most of us have seen the Top 10 lists of why we should be drinking lemon water.  But do we really know the added vitality and cleansing effects on the body lemon water provides?

Lemon water sounds like a good idea, and you’ve probably seen pictures on Pinterest of large pitchers of water with vibrant lemons and the top 10 reasons why you should be drinking it.

It’s easy to take these images and lists at face value, and most won’t end up actually drinking lemon water regularly, rather be able tell their friends the top 10 reasons lemon water is good for you.

We’re interested in the part that adds vitality and incredible cleansing effects on the body. If you’re just getting started on a path of feeling better through diet change then making a replacement of lemon water for a morning coffee is a great first step. I truly believe that we have the power to heal our bodies by adapting what we consume every day. Our challenge is to:

1. Look through the top benefits we’ve listed below and find the one benefit that will motivate you to start incorporating lemon water into your daily life.
2. Commit to 14 days of lemon water
3. Write down how you feel on day 1, then on day 14
4. Let us know what you experienced.

What We Know About Lemons

Botanically, it is a citrus fruit in the Rutaceae family (scientifically known as Citrus Limon), and while being the smallest in its family has more comprehensive health benefits than its family members (1).

They are likely to have originated in India around the Himalayan foothills and spread from there.  The two main types of lemons are the Lisbon and Eureka.  There are other’s that have come into vogue such as the sweeter Meyer Lemons.

The fruit is lower in calories about 29 per 100 grams, which makes it one of the lower in its family.

Lemons as a Source of Vitamin-C

We know lemons are high in vitamin C which is essential for normal growth and development (2).  A single lemon contains around 30-40 mg of vitamin C (3) (in comparison an orange contains around 80-90 mg of vitamin C).

Vitamin C has been studied extensively and shown to have a myriad of health benefits from protecting against prenatal problems, cardiovascular disease, eye diseases, skin wrinkles, and immune system deficiencies (4).

It acts as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals (5).

If you’d like to go down the rabbit hole of vitamin c start with this fact sheet, as we’ll be focusing on some of the more unique properties of lemon water.

Unique Health Benefits of Lemons

1. Lemon Water as Detox and Cleanse

This is the first benefit that comes to mind when it comes to lemon water, and usually the most overstated.  We’ve cited a few scientific sources that give true insight on the potential for lemon water as a natural detox.

Not surprisingly, the amount of urine is increased when drinking lemon water however lemon water brings with it the primary compound known as Citrate.

This is a naturally-occurring inhibitor of toxins (which can build up in the form of crystals in the body).  The Citric acid enhances your body’s ability to naturally flush out these unwanted toxins.

Toxins come into our systems through various sources from the air we breathe to some of the foods we eat. Two of the more well known studies shed some light on the use of lemon as a cleanse:

• As published by Dutch researchers in a 2002 edition of the European Journal of Nutrition, lemon peels and the waste stream of the lemon peels are effective in lowering blood and liver cholesterol levels. Although performed on animal subjects, these results insinuate that lemon peel consumption could be beneficial to those with fatty liver disease.
• As published by Indian researchers in a 2005 edition of BMC Pharmacology, hesperidin (a citrus bioflavonoid found in lemons) demonstrates the ability to protect the liver from damage. After administration of CCl4 (a well known liver toxin), the authors concluded that hesperidin demonstrates a protective effect on the liver (6).

Our liver is where we filter everything we consume and neutralize many toxins.  We’ve covered the various methods of cleansing with related products like apple cider vinegar.

These studies shed light on the lemon’s ability to enhance the liver’s function of filtering out unwanted toxins.

The main premise behind lemon water as a detox revolves around its ability to enhance your bodies enzyme function and stimulate the liver.

Studies indicate that in cases where toxins have built up in the body, the lemon juice and peel have cleansing properties. Using lemon water, especially after meals may help you lower the amount of toxins in your body.

2. Improve Digestion with Lemon Water

Citrus flavonoids are the primary cause of improved digestion when drinking warm lemon water.  They aid in the assimilation of food, help prevent fatty liver, decrease chances of cardiovascular disease, fat-lowering, and reduced insulin sensitivity.  This has to do with it’s ability to inhibit certain synthesis of fat in the body (7).

Citrus flavonoids act as a great digestive tonic, with appetite suppressing abilities (8).  It has also been shown to calm an upset stomach or mild indigestion.  This has to do with the hydrochloric acid in your stomach that start the process of breaking down your food.  It is believed the citrus flavonoids in lemon water support the hydrochloric acid in the stomach in breaking down food (9).

The best way to utilize lemon water as a digestion aid is to also include the zest of the lemon which will improve the good bacteria in your gut.

3. Alkalize with Lemon Water

If you’re new to the concept of alkalinity, it’s the process of neutralizing acid in the body.  The basic idea is your body has certain acids that can build up causing negative side effects such as acid reflux, upset stomach, acidosis, and  beyond (10).

There are various ways to check the pH levels of your body to find out if you are too acidic.

An ideal range to fall between is 4.6-8.0 and can be tested with pH strips using saliva or urine (11).

If you plan to use lemon water or alkaline drinking water to manage your body’s acid levels we recommend speaking with your doctor first and identifying your pH levels.

If you identify a need to alkalize, then we recommend getting some home pH strips that will allow you to stay within the recommend ranges.

Lemon water is a safe and effective way to manage your pH levels and achieving healthy alkalinity may benefit in bone health, reduced muscle wasting, decrease chances of hypertension and strokes, improved cardiovascular health, and improved memory (12).

4. Weight loss/Appetite Suppressant

We’re approaching this claim with caution since any new health fad that becomes popular can get turned into a “fat burning miracle”.

There is a lack of scientific research that supports the claim of weight loss fully, however this doesn’t mean the claims are false, simply that additional research is needed (13).

Pectin and polyphenols are the main substances found in lemons that have more research available showing weight loss and appetite suppressing qualities.

Pectin gives a feeling a fullness much like other soluble dietary fibers, that may help reduced caloric intake.

In one study these two substance increased fat metabolism, increased HDL (good) cholesterol & lowered LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreased the production of inflammation (15).

The main study was carried out by Drs. Sheau C. Chai, Shirin Hooshmand, Raz L. Saadat, and Bahram Arjmandi, of Florida State University.

“It’s a Slow Process Don’t Make it Slower by Quitting.”

Every “body” will respond differently to lemon water, which is why we recommend adding this to your diet without any other major changes to isolate the effects.

This will allow you to better attribute any changes you experience and not be confused if it was the new multivitamin you started taking.

While additional research is needed regarding the weight loss benefits of lemon water, positive benefits are achieved by replacing sugary drinks for lemon water.

We recommend replacing your morning coffee with lemon water for at least 2 weeks.  Keep a journal of your mood, energy, and cravings for the 2 weeks to see what positive benefits you experience.

5. Reduced Wrinkles and Improved Skin

This claim states benefits from both drinking lemon water and applying topically.  Lemons have been found to be high in antioxidants (16) which are linked to anti-aging properties.

The primary cause of aging comes from free radicals that cause the breakdown of various tissues in the body, namely skin.

Research showed that plant derived antioxidants were able to reverse the breakdown of collagen fibers in the skin (17).

Collagen gives skin it’s strength, structure, and plumpness while protecting the skin from absorbing toxins (18).

Now the next time you see your friend with great skin you can tell her you’re jealous of her collagen.

Free radicals in small amounts are not damaging to the body, but you should be aware of practices that increase your exposure to free radicals.

The most common and most dangerous forms of exposure can come from drugs, radiation, pesticides, air pollutants, solvents, alcohol, tobacco smoke, pollution, and even foods we eat (19).

Most healthy people who do not smoke should not be overly concerned with too much free radicals in their system.

If you are concerned or curious you can take a urine test to get an idea of where you’re at (20).

If you want to apply lemon juice topically there are various ways depending on preference.  The simplest way is to dilute in water and pat on the face with a damp cloth avoiding the eyes.

Other methods range from creating sugar scrubs to combining with Greek yogurt.  In all cases the antioxidants in the lemon will be the active ingredient.

6. Benefits of Essential Oils in Lemons

Essential oils as a whole is a topic we will cover in greater detail since there is a lot of debate on their effectiveness, especially when you look at the claims.

There are however plenty of benefits that come from essential oil use, but we’ll stick to those that have been researched and tested.

At the time of this writing we found 14000+ articles that had essential oils being studied and researched (25), and lemon oil had over 500 alone.

If you’re looking to get the oils into your lemon water simply take the peel and squeeze or twist the outer zest portion.

If you watch closely you’ll be able to see the lemon oils coming out of the zest.

One of the most interesting benefits that has been linked to lemon oil is its moderate antimicrobial activities against bad bacteria, yeast and fungi such as Candida albicans more commonly known to cause yeast infection (26).

These antimicrobial effects have a range of benefits when ingested and used topically, and are the core of where the benefits are derived.

A study was published took a look at how lemon oil would affect pregnant women dealing with vomiting and nausea.  Around 100 women participated and after just 2 days reports of dramatically decreased symptoms were reported as compared to the placebo group.

After 4 days a decrease of nausea and vomiting was seen on average of 33% (27).

While this study was specific to pregnant women, it may suggest that those dealing with similar issues who are not pregnant would see similar benefits.

In another study performed by the Central Food Technological Research Institute looked at how geraniol, a phytonutriant found in lemon, aided in reversing diabetic neuropathy.

The study showed that sciatic nerve damage was reduced through lemon oil (geraniol) use.  In the full 8 week study cellular function was restored, suggesting that the use of lemon oil regularly can assist in regulating energy stores, and as previously mentioned help preventing disease (28).

Lemon oil is perhaps the most researched part of the lemon and also the part no one seems to include when making their lemon water.

Consider using the zest of the lemon in your drink or extracting the oils to include in your drink for maximum benefit.

Lemon Water Safety Measures

Safety measures for lemon water?!?  I know what you’re thinking but there are a few things to keep in mind:

First off you really shouldn’t be eating the seeds of the lemon.  A few here and there aren’t going to be terrible for you, but if you plan to drink lemon water regularly then make sure you’re avoiding the seeds.

They contain small amounts of salicylic acid which is the main ingredient in asprin, along with the bitter/astringent coating on the outside of the seed which gives it the bitter taste.

The easiest way I’ve found to get rid of them is to use a small strainer or a lemon press.

If you’re used to sweetening your tea or coffee then your taste buds are going to want a spike of sugar in your lemon water.

Try and avoid adding sweeteners other than raw honey as it will negate many of the benefits I mentioned.

If you can start to cut more and more sugar out of your diet, you will find your taste buds resetting and your cravings for sugar drop dramatically.

I had never experienced this until I cut out most of the sugars in my diet, but I can honestly say my cravings for sugary foods dropped dramatically.

Another common concern is what effects lemon juice has the enamel of your teeth.  As long as you’re not using it like mouthwash your teeth will be safe.

With the amount of soda that people drink in our time, substituting lemon water will actually save your teeth.  If you’re super concerned about it then try using a straw

Drinking lemon water is one of these little things that we can do on a regular basis that can have long term benefits.

The people who will the most dramatic effects in the beginning will be those who can replace a morning coffee or soda with lemon water.

As with any new addition to your diet, I recommend giving it a minimum of 2 weeks to see what positive benefits you’re getting.

We’re so used to instant gratification in almost everything we do, so when it comes to healthy diet and exercise it can be easy to get discouraged if we don’t see results in a few days.

Lemon is rich in Vitamin C that helps in enhancing our body by rejuvenating our body skin from within bringing a glow to our face. One of the health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it helps in losing the weight more quicker over a certain period of time. For more information on how to lose weight read the blog here.
Benefits of Vitamin C

A few benefits of vitamin C includes protection against immune system deficiencies, prenatal health problems, cardiovascular disease, skin wrinkling, eye disease and etc. A researcher Mark Moyad, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan says that “Vitamin C has received a great deal of attention, and with good reason. Higher blood levels of vitamin C may be the ideal nutrition marker for overall health,”

Health tips and benefits of drinking lemon water in early morning in empty stomach

1. Lemon helps in protecting our body against the immune system deficiencies, as it is rich in vitamin C.

2. Drinking lemon water helps in maintaining the pH levels in the body.

3. Lemons acts as a powerful antibacterial as it contains pectin fibers which is beneficial for colon.

4. Drinking lemon water in morning empty stomach will helps in flush out of toxins.

5. Helps in digestion.

6. Lemon contains great source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, citric acid, phosphorus and etc.

7. Drinking lemon water helps in preventing the multiplication and growth of pathogenic bacteria that causes disease and infections.

8. Helps in curing common cold

9. Helps in nourish brain and nerve cells.

10. Helps in reducing pains in knees and joints as it dissolves uric acids.

11. Helps in replenish body salts after you do exercise.

12. Helps in strengthening liver by supplying energy to liver enzymes.

13. Helps in protecting eye and thus fights again eye problems. Read more about Health Tips for a Healthy Eyes.
14. Lemon water helps in protecting skin from skin problems like wrinkles, rashes, acne and etc. Read more about Skin Care Health Tips – Tips for a Healthy and Good Skin Care
15. Drinking lemon water, helps in maintaining the oxygen and calcium levels in the liver.

16. Drinking lemon water will helps in reducing the body weight over all. Here are few tips on how to lose weight.
Hope the article on Health benefits of drinking lemon water in morning empty stomach will be useful for everyone.
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