11 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water (And How to Drink It for Health)

I was first introduced to the concept of lemon water when I started doing yoga. As an avid drinker of water, it was refreshing to learn a new spin on an old favorite. When I started having a glass of lemon water every morning, it was after learning only two of the benefits of lemon water.

Little did I know just how many there are.

There are many benefits of drinking lemon water, so let’s dive in to learn more about this valuable fruit!

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Lemons are packed like a clown car of nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. They even contain more potassium than apples or grapes!

Let’s take a look at the nutritional value of lemons:^[1]

The nutrients in 1/2 cup (100 grams) of raw, peeled lemon include:^[2]

• Calories: 29
• Water: 89%
• Protein: 1.1 grams
• Carbs: 9.3 grams
• Sugar: 2.5 grams
• Fiber: 2.8 grams
• Fat: 0.3 grams

Because of how hard lemon juice can be on the enamel of your teeth, it’s important to dilute it with water of any temperature (though lukewarm is recommended), and not to drink it throughout the day.^[3] Drinking lemon water through a straw is also recommended to limit the exposure of acid in the lemon to your teeth.

1. Banishes Acne

Lemon water fights acne and other blemishes by giving your kidney and liver a boost. It allows the liver to purify your blood more efficiently.^[4] Additionally, the antioxidants in lemons (like vitamin C) fight the development of acne (teenagers, take note!). Drinking hot lemon water in the morning is known to do wonders in terms of eliminating any toxins present in your system.

It can also be applied to scars and age spots to reduce their appearance. Because it’s detoxifying your blood, it will maintain your skin’s overall radiance.

2. Helps Aid Digestion

Lemon juice not only encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract, it helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping, and bloating. Drinking warm lemon water before eating is suggested because it helps to prepare your body for the meal you are about to eat.

It does this by kick-starting the production of bile in your system, which in turn is used to break down all of the things that you eat. As a natural diuretic, lemon water also helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly by clearing it of possible obstructions, which is the key to maintaining your overall health. ^[5]

3. Helps You Lose Weight

Lemons contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings. While it won’t actually burn off any of your excess fat, it can help you replace the empty calories in soda or sweetened coffee with something that is much healthier in comparison. Do note that pectin fiber is mostly in the peel and the seeds of a lemon. There is some in the pulp of the lemon but only when it is being put in the water will the benefit be reaped. Pure lemon juice will not contain enough pulp to get you the satiating feeling.^[6]

Lemon water indirectly does help you in releasing excess pounds by tackling your hunger pangs. The pectin fiber present in lemons acts to give you a feeling of fullness, meaning you won’t have to eat as much to feel satisfied.

4. Reduces Inflammation

If you drink lemon water on a regular basis, it will decrease the acidity in your body, which is where disease states occur.

It removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation. If you have sore or achy knees and joints, starting the day off with a nice cup of warm lemon water might be just what the doctor ordered. This is mainly because the beverage helps to eliminate the uric acid that is responsible for many of your aches and pains. ^[7]

5. Freshens Your Breath

Lemon water relieves toothaches and gingivitis. The citric acid can erode tooth enamel, either hold off on brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water or brush your teeth before drinking it.

This can be especially useful in the morning when “morning breath” might persist even after you brush your teeth. Lemon water works to keep your mouth smelling great thanks to its antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the cause of most bad breaths is a dry mouth, and lemon water works to cure that. ^[8]

Almost everybody likes the smell of lemons, so that helps too!

6. It Boosts Your Heart Health

Heart disease is a major threat to human health. But honey lemon water can also help to reduce your chances of developing this serious condition.

Lemons are rich in potassium, which has been shown to lower blood pressure levels, a major risk factor for heart attacks. Also, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to protect the heart muscles from inflammation and other forms of stress.

7. Prevents Allergies

Thanks to the vitamin C and antioxidants in lemons, lemon water does a great job of both boosting your immune system and balancing your body’s chemical properties. Thus, it equips your body to fight off allergy attacks. So if there’s a lot of pollen in the air and you feel the sniffles, grab a lemon and go to work.^[9]

8. Revitalizes Your Eyes

The numerous antioxidants and nutrients present within lemon juice do a great job of fighting off many of the more common eye-related maladies, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. ^[10] Though drinking lemon water alone won’t be enough to outright cure any eye problems you might have currently, it does serve as an easy way to take preventative measures against any further damage.

9. Serves as a Natural Antacid

As a citrus fruit, you might think it to be a bit strange that lemons reduce the amount of acid in your system, but it’s true. What it does is replace acid with alkaline, essentially tackling your acid problems at the source instead of just addressing the symptoms (which is what many over-the-counter drugs do).

10. Gives you an Energy Boost

Lemon juice provides your body with energy when it enters your digestive tract. It also helps reduce anxiety and depression. Even the scent of lemons has a calming effect on your nervous system!

How to Drink Lemon Water for Better Health

To prevent the acid in the lemon from damaging your teeth, you are recommended to:^[11]

• Use one wedge of fresh lemon
• Drink through a straw to minimize contact with the teeth
• Drink it at room temperature

You can also consider drinking lemon water first thing in the morning as this can jump-start your day with a good source of vitamin C from the lemon and all the benefits of naturally hydrating with water.^[12]

Drinking lemon water is one of the most substantial yet simple changes you can make for your health. Here are some recipes you can try with simple ingredients at home.

1. Cucumber Lemon Water

It takes only a few minutes to make this simple cucumber lemon water recipe by the blog A Couple Cooks. But if you want a deep flavor, you can wait for an hour for the lemon and cucumber to infuse fully into the water!

Simply cut up a cucumber and lemon into thin slices. Add the slices in a pitcher and mash them up. Then, add up to 8 glasses of water.

Cucumber lemon water benefits include it being:

• An awesome, flavorful replacement for water
• Rich in vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium
• An excellent replacement for sugary drinks
• Quite fancy looking!

2. Honey Lemon Water

Simply add the juice from one-half of a lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water, stir it together and drink. It is most effective if enjoyed in the morning before breakfast.

And that’s it! But don’t underestimate the amazing health benefits of this incredibly simple drink. Explore the benefits of honey lemon water here.

3. Ginger, Turmeric, and Lemon water

This is where you really spice things up.

Take 4 thin slices of fresh ginger root, juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, and 8 cups of water. Mix all the ingredients together.

You can take this cold (refrigerate for a few hours) or hot. If you prefer a hot serving, add all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat to prepare soothing tea!

Ginger and turmeric benefits include:

• Turmeric is powerfully anti-inflammatory. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
• With these wonderfully healthy ingredients, this concoction helps fight off allergies and boost digestion.
• Serves both as a wonderful cold and hot drink!

4. Strawberry-Infused Lemon Water

Add a cup of fresh strawberries and slices of half a lemon in a pitcher. Mash them up. Add 8 glasses of water. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving to allow the flavors time to develop.

Strawberries and lemons are both rich in vitamin C. Also, strawberries are great for your skin. All in all, this makes an amazingly refreshing and delicious drink!

5. Cantaloupe and Mint-Infused Lemon Water

Cutting down on sugar and artificial sweeteners is great. But what if you want some sweet flavor to go with the tanginess of lemon water? Try the cantaloupe and mint-infused lemon water by the blog Taste of Home.

Add in a cup of peeled cantaloupe, a few mint leaves, and slices of half lemon in a pitcher. Mash them up and pour in about 8 cups of water. Refrigerate for up to 12 hours to bring out the flavors.

Whether you opt for the ‘fancier’ recipes or you reach for the simple but powerful lemon water, you’ll be taking sure steps to improve your health!

Final Thoughts

Lemon juice is packed with numerous nutrients, ranging from vitamin C to calcium, potassium, and iron. Not only that, but it also contains certain antimicrobial agents, allowing it to enhance your immune system.

If you feel tired often, get sick easily and have digestion problems, consider to start drinking lemon water today. Simply use everyday ingredients and drink the benefits with easy-to-make lemon water right at home!