I drink lemon water every day ~ I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now and love it, but there’s a lot of misinformation swirling around out there, so today I’ll separate the myths from the facts when it comes to this healthy hydrating habit!
Drinking lemon water every morning is something that I started a couple of years ago on a whim and it’s turned into a habit I’ll keep for life. I’m someone who’s always struggled with getting enough water every day, and for years I jumped out of bed and couldn’t get that first cup of coffee fast enough. This little morning routine has changed my life!
Here’s why I drink lemon juice every morning:
- it hydrates me, and helps me get a head start on my daily water intake.
- it stimulates my digestion and prompts elimination.
- it gives me a dose of Vitamin C and important heart healthy antioxidants.
- lemon makes water taste better than plain water and I’m more likely to drink it and stick to the habit.
- I love the way the cool water feels going down my throat after a long night.
- it sets the tone for healthier habits for the rest of the day.
how to make lemon water
- Pour 8 ounces of filtered water into a glass.
- Add the juice of half a lemon ~ it has to be fresh lemon juice! (The juice of half a lemon is approximately 1 – 1 1/2 tablespoons.)
the lemon water habit
Knowing how to make lemon water isn’t enough ~ it’s how to to make it a habit that’s important!
- I like to leave it out by the sink the night before, so I don’t even have to think about it in the morning.
- Sometimes if I’m thinking ahead I’ll make a week’s worth in a pitcher and store it in the refrigerator, this is especially nice during the summer. (See the directions in the recipe below.)
- I drink it first thing, before I do anything else.
lemon water myths
Drinking a glass of lemon water seems simple enough, but there are a lot of hyped up claims and misinformation surrounding this simple habit, so let’s get after it and break it down…
Myth: lemon water detoxifies your body
- Fact: drinking lemon water doesn’t magically detox your body. However drinking water helps the kidneys and liver do their job of flushing toxins from the body. (Eating plenty of fiber is important too.)
Myth: lemon water makes you lose weight
- Fact: again, no magic wand here, but water itself is a helpful tool in any weight loss program because it simply fills you up (with zero calories.) If you regularly down water, including first thing in the morning, it will help stave off cravings. If you substitute water for sugary drinks like soda, you’ll consume fewer calories.
Myth: lemon water balances your ph (making it more alkaline)
- Fact: lemon water is acidic, but no matter how much you drink it doesn’t have an effect on your body’s overall ph balance (no food can do that.)
Myth: lemon water speeds up your metabolism
- Fact: lemon water doesn’t have an effect on metabolism, that has more to do with your DNA, lifestyle, exercise, etc.
Myth: drinking lemon water will prevent colds and flu
- Fact: lemons are super healthy and contain a good amount of Vitamin C, but the link between that and preventing colds and flu has just not been proven. It has been studied a lot, and the results are mixed. The bottom line is that lemon water gives you a boost of Vitamin C which is one of the essential nutrients our bodies needs to stay healthy. As for colds and flu, it might be of help, and it can’t hurt.
Myth: lemon water fights cancer
- Fact: lemons contain antioxidant flavonoids that have been scientifically studied and are thought to help protect our cells against damage. But the amount of flavonoids in a glass of lemon water is negligible.
Myth: lemon water improves skin
- Fact: Vitamin C plays a natural roll in skin health, but a glass of lemon water won’t clear skin or erase wrinkles. Drinking plenty of water is helpful in keeping skin looking plump and hydrated, though!
Myth: drinking lemon water will prevent kidney stones
- Fact: some studies link citric acid in citrus fruits with reducing the risk of kidney stones, or dissolving existing stones, but you’d need more than you get from a daily glass of lemon water. However, the National Kidney Foundation’s #1 recommendation for preventing kidney stones is to drink plenty of water.
Myth: it’s best to drink hot lemon water
- Fact: it doesn’t matter whether you drink lemon water hot, warm, or cold. I like to vary it according to the season.
Are there disadvantages to drinking lemon water daily?
- One disadvantage is that lemon juice can erode tooth enamel over time, so you might want to drink your water through a straw to avoid contact with your teeth.
- One of my favorite ways to drink my lemon water is in my straw top Lifefactory glass water bottle, you’ve heard me mention these before, I absolutely love them. The flip up straw is comfortable to use, and allows you to sip the water slowly, avoiding your teeth.
- If you’re worried about this, consider using less lemon in your water, such as adding slices of lemon to lightly infuse flavor instead of squeezing the juice.
- You can also simply rinse with plain water after drinking lemon water, and this will help rinse away acid on your teeth.
- Citrus fruits, including lemons, contain compounds like tyramine and histamine, which are known to trigger migraines in some individuals. However, the relationship between citrus fruits and migraines is complex and can vary from person to person.
- Some people may find that the acidity of lemon water exacerbates acid reflux or gastrointestinal discomfort. If you have these conditions, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional.
Bottom line ~ even though it’s not a miracle cure-all, I’m convinced drinking lemon water first thing every morning is a good thing ~
it hydrates
stimulates the digestive system and promotes elimination
gives you a dose of healthy Vitamin C
and feels so good!
Would you like to see more posts about healthy habits? What are some topics you’d love to see me cover? (Let me know in the comments.)
Staying healthy and keeping up with the latest news and trends is something I struggle with all the time, sometimes with success, sometimes not so much. On the positive side I’m religious about exercising every day, I don’t smoke, and I eat a healthy Great Island diet 🙂
But I do carry a few extra pounds these days ~ and remember my post about giving up alcohol? That hasn’t gone so well, I’m back to drinking a glass of wine every night, but I continue to try to fine tune it for the ultimate goal of living a healthy, happy, (long!) life.
More healthy hydration recipes
Lemon Ginger Smoothie
How to Make Healthy Infused Water
Healing Conifer Tea
How to Make Lemon Balm Tea
Cranberry Cleanse Smoothie
Honeysuckle Iced Tea
Healing Turmeric Tea
How to Make Bee Balm Tea
Lemon Water Recipe
Ingredients
- 56 ounces filtered water
- 3 large lemons
Instructions
- Put the water in a large pitcher or refrigerator container, preferably glass.
- Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons into the water, making sure to avoid the seeds.
- Thinly slice the last lemon and add all the slices, without seeds, to the water. Cover and keep in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Sue,
Thank you for the Lemon water blog, I was just told to start drinking it by a trainer at my local gym. Also, my husband was told by his urologist to start eating more citrus after a very bad bout with kidney stones. I’m making a pitcher of lemon water now.
Heidi Rogers
A friend who grows oranges brought us a generous part of the harvest. Orange water is just as delicious! Especially with some lemon verbena and mint.
I bet, and less acidic. Love the herbs, too.
I really appreciate you being honest and not making unfounded claims!
Thanks Nicole, I’m a stickler about that.
Do you briefly microwave the lemons to make them easier to juice?
That’s a good idea. I also roll them on the counter.
I’ve often wondered if lime water has the same benefits. Any thoughts or research on that? Thanks!
Great question Christy, I’ll have to look into that, but my guess is yes.
I love to have healthy food
Can ulcer person use lemon juice?
Best to check with your doctor!
Sue, why do you say to remove the seeds when making lemon water?
The seeds are bitter.
Thanks for the nice article! Is it still as healthy and beneficial if you use the lemon juice from the store bought bottles?
You can certainly use bottled lemon juice, but for me I feel that fresh is superior.
If you make a week’s worth of lemon water ahead of time, will it still be as healthy as when it was just made?
It will be good for three days. It’s better to buy the squeeze bottles if you need something quick. Bottled lemon juice has often been touted as unhealthy, but it’s not true. The main difference is taste, and fresh lemon will always win in that area. But for myself, I find it more cost effective to buy the bottled lemon juice because I use a lot of it.