After researching the benefits of lemon water, I began drinking warm lemon water each morning when after waking up. The number of benefits are staggering, but I wanted to share the top 10 benefits that I think are most beneficial. It is amazing how one small fruit that most of us take for granted is so powerful. I was amazed by the health benefits of drinking lemon water that I experienced, and how quickly I saw improvements.
Drinking lemon water each morning is a daily habit that I no longer have to think about. After I roll out of bed and get myself going, I head to the kitchen to make my lemon water. I add the juice of half a lemon to a glass of warm water. I do this within 20 minutes of waking up in the morning. There is some debate on how long after you can eat, but I stick to eating no sooner than 30 mins after I have my drink.
Below are the benefits of drinking lemon water each morning:
Aids in Weight Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber. This helps fight hunger cravings. I have noticed that if I am hungry before drinking my water it does curb the feeling for a good while after drinking. People who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.
Clears Skin. The Vitamin C component and other antioxidants help fight free radical damage and decrease wrinkles and blemishes. It’s said to clear the skin from the inside out. The alkaline nature of lemons kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age spots to help reduce their appearance. You can mix this into a serum to use on the skin. The vitamin C contained in the lemon rejuvenates the skin from within your body.
Cleanses System / Diuretic. Lemons increase the rate of urination; therefore, toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. Lemons stimulate the liver and aids in detoxification because the citric acid helps maximize enzyme function.
Aids Digestion. Its make-up is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemons are also high in vitamins and minerals which help loosen toxins in the digestive tract. The digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.
Boosts Your Immune System. Lemons are high in Vitamin C and are great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium that stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure. The Vitamin C found in lemons has anti-inflammatory effects and is used as a support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms. It enhances iron absorption in the body Lemons also have antimicrobial properties that may help fight cold and flu.
Balances pH Levels. Despite the acidic properties, lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. The citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized. Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood. Diseases occur when the body pH is acidic. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.
Energizes You and Enhances Your Mood. Lemons are one of the few foods that contain more negative ions that provide your body with extra energy when it enters the digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.
Promotes Healing. Vitamin C found in lemons promotes wound healing and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.
Freshens Breath. Lemons freshen breath and can help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. However, use with caution as the citric acid can erode tooth enamel. It’s best to brush your teeth just after drinking your lemon water or to wait a significant amount of time after to brush your teeth. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with purified water after you finish your lemon water.
Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling fatigued, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep and lack of mental clarity
Lemon is a super fruit that can help with a number of benefits. Despite having a love-hate relationship with lemons, most of us can agree there awesome benefits of drinking lemon water daily. An alternative to drinking lemon water is taking Vitamin C in the form of a pill. Honestly, I do both. I drink lemon water in the morning and I take a vitamin c tablet in the evenings to boost the benefits of taking MSM.
Recently, a reader mentioned adding cinnamon to the lemon water and I can definitely see where that is beneficial. I’m going to give it a try because I add cinnamon to a number of food and drink items daily to regulate my blood sugar.
Have you tried drinking warm lemon water? How did you benefit?
Thank you, girl, for this post. I haven’t been feeling well lately with intestinal issues. I don’t drink enough water for one thing. But I’m eager to try this. Does the water have to be warm, or can I drink cold lemon water throughout the day?
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Warm lemon water is best within 20-30 of waking up.
I love, love to have lemon and lime around the house. I mix lime juice with honey and rub it on my face. I also squeeze some lemon juice in some hot water with some cinnamon powder and drink it in the morning for weight loss. I truly enjoyed reading this post. Thank you so much for sharing, Tiki!
I’m going to have to try my lemon water with cinnamon. Lord knows that I put it in everything else…might as well. lol
I’m going to have to try my lemon water with cinnamon. Lord knows that I put it in everything else…might as well. lol
I love lemon water. But I notice I drink it more in the summer than I do in the winter. I might even try growing my own indoor lemon tree so I can keep up with it year round.
Thank you very much for this information. I will put add it to my daily routines
I knew about lemons clearing your skin but not all the other benefits! I tend to go through phases of drinking lemon water every day for a couple of weeks and then don’t for about 6 months! x
Yes it has a ton of benefits. I hope you give it a try again.
Wow! I knew about lemons aiding in digestion and cleansing your system. But I didn’t know about the other advantages. Thank you for sharing this list. We keep lemons in my house all the time. I’m going to try this. Pinned it to my Pinterest board too.
I just ran out of lemons. I plan on restocking tomorrow. Doesn’t seem right not to have any lemons around.
Great tips! I’ve never thought of these benefits where lemon water is concerned but they make sense when I think of the reasons why I take Vitamin C every day. I suffer from chronic back pain and it was suggested by a couple people to take Vit C. Upon doing some research, I discovered what you listed about healing bones and cartilage. I’ll definitely be adding this to my diet!
I didn’t know there was a link with Vitamin C and back pain. *runs off to research*
Wow! I had no idea of all the benefits of lemons! I learned a couple months ago about the benefit of alkalinity in the body. But had no idea I could get that and so much more from just one delicious little fruit!
A couple questions though:
Why warm water? Are there added benefits to warm water versus cold water?
Would drinking bottled lemon juice give the same benefits as drinking the juice of a fresh lemon?
Warm water is best. Hot water destroys the enzymes and cold water interferes with the digestive benefits
WOW! I did not know that even though they’re an acidic fruit, they alkalize the body! I’ve heard so much about the importance of that. Reading this post has me excited to start drinking lemon water in the mornings for all these wonderful benefits! I’ll have to get some next time I’m at the store!
I know it does seem odd that an acidic from would be alkalize the body. I’ve been more concern with that b/c of a high cancer risk based on family history.
Wow! thanks for sharing the awesome benefits of lemon water. this was actually going to be one of my future posts, but you nailed it. Lemon water is just amazing, and it’s definitely helping me fight my morning sickness these days! love your blog and i am subscribing!
Thanks so much! Glad you decide to stick around and hang out:)
Wow! I had no idea. I drink 64 oz. of water daily, and I try to drink it at room temperature. I haven’t tried warm lemon water. Good to know as I definitely could benefit from the results.
I used to drink lemon water in the morning when I was actively trying to lose weight. I drink it with honey warmed when I have a sore throat.
I’ve never heard of the benefits of drinking warm lemon water until now. I wish I had lemons so I could try this tomorrow morning!
Great post! I will have to include it to my daily routine!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a great suggestion especially now that cooler weather is upon us! Thanks for the health info!
I really like the all the benefits of this. I will have to try this. I drink lots of water but not sure if i can handle warm lemon water.
The idea of warm water does not sound inviting BUT I love the benefits of drinking warm lemon water. I especially like the weight loss and clear skin! Will be trying this! Thanks for sharing!
Love, love, love this post. I like drinking hot lemon water (although it’s not from freshly squeezed lemons), and I have read about the benefits, but haven’t come across as many as you have mentioned in this post. I want to go out and grab some fresh lemons right now! Also, I have to remember to drink it first thing in the morning.
Fresh lemon is the best to use b/c it has all of the enzymes.
Thanks for sharing these! I had no idea lemons had all these benefits. My daughter would like the acne and digestion benefits, and I like the mood enhancing benefit!
Give it a try and let me know how it works for both of you
I tried this for a while, and it was a great way to start my day. Then summer came and I found it too hot to drink. The cooler weather is setting in, thanks for the reminder that I need to start this again!
No problem! Glad it helped
ok, I think you have convinced me that I need to try this…you had me at promoting weight loss!
Good! LOL!
I’ve been hearing about this more and more, but I’ve never given it a try.
Gina, give it a try and see what benefits you notice:)
I have started doing this every morning (I drink mine cold), makes me feel so GOOD! I feel like it acts as a mini detox and I find my energy increases and I feel lighter over all. I highly suggest doing this every morning! Thanks !
I’m glad to hear you have an increase in energy. It does act as a min detox. The reason for the warm water is b/c it absorbs into the body faster and the body doesn’t have to work to heat it up
Interesting! I haven’t tried this, but I often use lemon in my diet.
Give it a try! 🙂
I’ve been doing it on and off – I often forget because I’m always so hungry in the morning that I automatically grab some food. However, I can report clearer skin and better digestion. 🙂
I can understand that but it’s great that is gave you clearer skin and better digestion. 🙂
I had no idea how many benefits there were with drinking lemon water! I’m curious about the reason for drinking warm water?
Do you mean my reason or the reason why the water has to be warm?
The reason the water has to be warm!
It’s said that cold water will is hard to break down and will interfere with the digestive benefits of drinking lemon water.
I didn’t know most of these. Sounds like dh could benefit greatly from this.
Let me know if you can get him to try them and how it works for him. Thanks for dropping by
I love this really nice tips, i would try for loss weight. But i learn so mamy benefits that i can try, thank so much for sharing! 😉
It does help with weight loss. I have an extra glass during the day when I get hungry and it’s not time for me to eat.
I will have to try this. It sounds like a lot of great benefits from drinking lemon water.
There are and I’m glad I started drinking my lemon water.
I drink this sometimes – I should do it more often though. Lemon is fabulous! I put lemon in cold water also,
Give it a try more often and see what happens:)
I love lemon water! I never realized how healthy it was and all the benefits it had to offer. Thanks for sharing!
I know it shocked me. I started drinking it for digestion help and found so many other benefits.
I have tried it and felt better, but just can’t seem to get into a routine and do it everyday. I would love my son to try it for his acne.
I definitely understand. I have things that I have not been consistent with too. My friends said it worked for her acne. If you can talk him into it, it’s worth a try.
I’m not much of a health-nut (as evidenced by my love of cupcakes and all things chocolate), but I do drink a lot of water. I don’t like it warm and I don’t like lemons, but I do drink it first thing in the morning before I eat and try to drink water when I start feeling hungry. 🙂
I had no idea! Thanks so much for the great info. I’m going to try this tip. Even if I only get half of the results listed above, it’s a win! 🙂
Indeed. I have a friend that tried it for acne and noticed other benefits.
I didn’t know there were so many benefits to lemons! I have a few in the fridge. I’m going to have to try this!
It’s an inexpensive way to boost your health. I saw go for it!
I haven’t tried it. I normally don’t enjoy warm drinks, but looking at all of the health benefits, I may give it a try! Thanks for the tips!
I hope you do.
I’ve always loved the taste of lemon water, but I had no idea it had so many health benefits. Do you have to use fresh lemons or would lemon juice work?
You get the benefits listed from using fresh lemon.
Great article, however, I drink a shot of ACV with room temp water each night before bed which also aids in weight loss and digestion.
I tried the ACV but it was just to strong for me. I still have a huge bottle I picked up from Wholefoods