I have heard that drinking lemon water, especially in the morning, is beneficial for overall health. It is something I have been interested in learning more about for months now.
As I was praying recently, I was inspired to drink lemon water each morning. I was also inspired to write a post about the benefits of drinking lemon water. There is a lot of research out there, some of it conflicting. I found the following benefits consistently in my research.
This post contains affiliate links. For more info, see my disclosures here.
5 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
1. It keeps you hydrated.
A fully hydrated body functions better. When you wake up in the morning you haven’t had anything to drink for hours. Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning helps restore hydration to your body.
The general recommendation is drinking about half your body weight in ounces of water each day. So if you weigh 100 pounds, you would drink 50 ounces of water every day. Because lemon water is a mild diuretic, plain water is best after a glass or two of lemon water.
2. It delivers extra Vitamin C.
The extra vitamin C found in lemon water helps with many bodily functions. Vitamin C is best known for boosting the immune system. It positively impacts cardiovascular, bone, skin and mental health as well.
Lemon water is a great way to fighting a cold. It even has beneficial properties for those exposed to colds and other illnesses.
3. It may aid in weight loss.
Drinking plenty of water has many benefits. Drinking a glass of water, especially before a meal, helps your body achieve a full feeling faster. This means you will need to eat less to feel satisfied.
Water has also been shown to raise metabolism levels. These benefits can be accomplished through drinking regular water or lemon water. Often, people who dislike plain water are happy to drink lemon water. It gives an extra burst of flavor. Because lemon water is a mild diuretic, it does help with bloating as well.
4. It may prevent kidney stones.
Citric acid decreases chances of kidney stones forming. A compound, called citrate, that is found in lemons decreases the chances of kidney stones forming. Citrate prevents calcium from binding with other compounds to form kidney stones. Therefore, drinking lemon water could prevent kidney stones.
5. It aids in digestion.
Adding lemon to your water slows the digestion process. Is slowing down the digestive process a good thing? Actually, yes. When digestion is slowed, your body is able to absorb more nutrients from the food eaten. This means you gain the benefits of more nutrients in your system without eating any extra food. Lemon water is also reported to flush toxins from your system. That is another reason why it is so important first thing in the morning.
Related Post: Fit by 40, Week 1
Points of Caution
Keep in mind that the acidity of lemons can affect tooth enamel. It is important to drink lemon water through a straw or to rinse with plain water after drinking lemon water. These habits will help protect your tooth enamel. Another recommendation is to wait at least an hour to brush your teeth after exposing them to acidic foods. This means you may want to brush your teeth before consuming lemon water in the morning.
Also, lemon water is a mild diuretic. About 12 -16 ounces of lemon water daily delivers all of the benefits needed. After that, plain water is best.
Lemon Water Recipe:
Squeeze one half to one whole lemon into a glass (8 oz.) of water. Enjoy!
Yes, it really is that simple!
Moving Forward
Drinking plain water is extremely beneficial to overall health. My plan is to drink lemon water in the morning. I may also drink it at occasionally during the day. More likely, I will be drinking club soda made at home with our Soda Stream and squeezing some fresh lemon juice into it. Since club soda is carbonated water, I figure I will get the same benefits as I do from drinking still lemon water. Nick likes to drink club soda with lemon and lime that he makes with our Soda Stream.
I am interested in getting a lemon squeezer to keep the seeds out of my water, like this one:New Star Foodservice 42856 Enameled Aluminum Lemon Squeezer, Yellow
If you’re more likely to sip lemon water throughout the day you may want to invest in a fruit infuser water bottle like the one below. (Contigo AUTOSPOUT Straw Ashland Infuser Water Bottle, 26oz, Greyed Jade
What are your thoughts on drinking lemon water?
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this website is helpful for buying a glass
When I first started drinking lemon water, I noticed a strange, almost burning sensation, in my neck for a few days. Maybe this was unrelated, but I felt like it was my lymph nodes detoxing. Anyone else experience anything similar?
Wow Elena, I’ve never heard of this! Thanks for sharing.
Nice article Keri. Thanks for sharing it. I need to drink more water, and with the extra pounds from the holidays I think drinking lemon water in the morning is good motivation to start loosing a little weight.
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Nice article Keri. Thanks for sharing it. I need to drink more water, and with the extra pounds from the holidays I think drinking lemon water in the morning. Good motivation to start loosing a little weight.
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Thank you Denise! I’m glad you found the article motivating!
I love lemon water in the morning! I need to get back on track with this!
Nina, I am working on finding a routine where I remember to drink it each morning too!
I just read another article about the benefits of drinking lemon water, so it’s on my list of things to do. I’m sold!
It’s pretty delicious too!
I’ve read these benefits before and something that I need to do more, drinking water regularly. Thank you for the post and motivation!
You’re welcome. Glad to help Belinda!
I really need to start drinking lemon water again! I used to drink it regularly and then I stopped (not sure why!). I should get back in the habit again for all the reasons you mentioned in this post!
I’m glad to help out! 🙂
I used to do this and really noticed a difference in my health and wellbeing. Reading your post has made me want to start doing it again. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Sarah, I’m so glad to help!
There’s some great points here. I definitely think I need to try it as I struggle to drink enough water in the day. I live on cups of tea which has net 0 hydration 🙁
I also have a hard time getting in all the necessary hydration. I’m hoping this helps a little!
I love lemon water and drink it everyday! I like it hot and cold!
I haven’t tried it hot yet. That sounds like something I will have to do!
I love lemon water and drink it everyday! I like it hot and cold!
I have to try it hot!
I’m a big water drinker but I never have done lemon water. After reading your post though I feel like I need to try it! This was a great read!
Thank you Amy! It is really simple. The hardest part is remembering to do it!
Thank you Amy. It is really simple. The hardest part for me is remembering to do it!
That’s so good to know about not brushing your teeth! I didn’t know that.
I was glad to learn that too Bailey!
I know lemon water is good for you, but I always forget to make it. Thanks for the reminder. Great tip about the straw, I wasn’t aware of that problem!
Glad to help! I am thinking about getting reusable straws now that I’ll be using them frequently… 🙂
I need to be better about this since these are such great benefits! I should probably add it to my list of New Year Resolutions!
I also need to be better about this! I just realized I never drank my lemon water today!! Let me know if you find an easy way to remember.
I like lemons in my water and gives it a better taste for me to drink it. I’m not a fan of water but I’m going to start adding them to my water at home. I also like lemons in my hot tea. Thanks for sharing the benefits of drinking lemon water!
I use our soda stream all the time to help me drink more water. I’ve never tried adding ? but I’ll have to now! Love drinking out of straws too… Somehow I drink more when I have a fun straw lol. Thanks for sharing!
April, we add lemon or lime (or sometimes both) to the club soda we make and it’s delicious! I agree that a fun straw makes a big difference when trying to drink more! 🙂
Ive been meaning to look up the benefits! Thanks for sharing!! Drinking some now!
Erin, I’m so glad this is helpful!
I love lemon water. I definitely have to incorporate more into my daily routine. So many good benefits! 🙂
Nicole, I also have to find a failproof reminder to drink it daily. So far I’ve had two days where I don’t have it until lunchtime and I’ve been drinking it less than a week! Let me know if you find something that works for you!
Oh YES!!! I drink it everyday (through a straw). Sometimes, for a special treat, a put it in sparkling mineral water! I am prone to kidney stones (I’ve had 4), I can attest to this information. Also, lemon water aids in alkalinity of your body! <3
Katie, thank you for the additional information! I have also been drinking it through a straw to help maintain healthy teeth.
I do this every now and then and it does help me personally with weight loss. I’m just not too keen on the taste.
Wendy, I wonder if adding other fruits too might help you overcome the taste?
I always get told I must drink boiled water and lemon in the morning.
I really need to make an effort to do it. Mainly to add my digestion which isn’t very great at all!
Lisa, I read multiple articles that said it would aid in digestion. I hope it helps you!
I actually doing this everyday and yes, it does good benefits on my body and health! 🙂
I’m so glad to hear this. I just started a few days ago so I haven’t noticed anything significant yet!