17 Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Lemons are a nutritious fruit packed with vitamin C and a host of antioxidants. Consuming lemon water has ample benefits, including kicking the digestive system into action, fighting off infections, and boosting the immune system.

Aids in Digestion

Drink a cup of lemon water on an empty stomach in the morning to ease bloating, gas, and constipation. Lemon contains minerals that promote healthy digestion, alleviate heartburn, and stimulate healthy bowel function by reducing bloat and stimulating bowel movements.

Promotes Weight Loss

Evidence suggests lemon water may help shed those stubborn pounds. The tart citrus flavor makes lemon water more refreshing and easier to drink than plain water, and this could encourage people to drink more fluids. It also curbs the appetite, hydrates, and helps prevent binges on sugary sweets.

Encourages Liver Detox

Lemon can help remove toxins that, over time, accumulate in the blood and may cause a wide range of health issues. Symptoms of toxin overload include constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, aches and pains, and even memory loss. Lemon water assists the liver in cleansing the body of these damaging invaders.

Boosts Immune Function

The abundance of vitamin C in lemon provides a powerful immune boost and increases electrolytes to help support the immune system when the body is fighting off infection or illness. Lemons also contain bioflavonoids, which fight free radicals that can cause inflammation and blood vessel damage. Add lemon juice, honey, and ginger root to a cup of hot water for a potent immune-enhancing drink.

Freshens Breath

Bacteria or lingering food particles can cause bad breath. Lemon water can help alleviate many causes of bad breath by neutralizing the odor from foods like onion and garlic. It also stimulates saliva production, which helps flush the mouth of food and bacteria. A dry mouth can also cause bad breath, so staying hydrated with lemon water can prevent this issue.

Nourishes the Skin

Lemon contains nutrients that nourish and revitalize the skin. Vitamin C can protect against free radical damage and improve hydration to prevent or reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keep skin supple. Lemon water helps flush toxins that can speed aging and damage the skin. It also supports hydration, which helps keep the skin healthy.

Reduces Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is the root of many modern diseases. Again, lemon water can help fend off free radicals and inflammatory markers in the blood. Uric acid in the joints also leads to inflammation, and lemon water can prevent this buildup as well, easing joint pain and stiffness.

Provides an Energy Boost

Lemon has an energizing, revitalizing, and refreshing scent. It awakens the senses and stimulates physiological functions. Lemon water offers energizing effects without the proceeding crash that often comes with caffeine. Furthermore, drinking water of any kind provides hydration that keeps the mind alert throughout the day, fending off afternoon fatigue.

Helps Fight Infection

Lemon juice has antibacterial and antiviral components that help fight off infections. This, combined with the immunity boost, keeps the body primed to fight off infections as soon as they develop. Lemon can also soothe sore throats caused by a viral infection, helps relax the lungs, and thins mucus.

Lowers blood pressure

Lemon is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that can regulate blood pressure and maintain heart health, factors that reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, anxiety, and depression. Potassium deficiency can cause abnormal heartbeat, palpitations, anemia, and headaches. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is the best way to get enough potassium, but lemon water can increase the quantity of this mineral without extra calories.

Soothes Respiratory Problems

Lemon has compounds that ease breathing and calm the respiratory tract, effects that could benefit people with asthma and respiratory infections. This is due in part to the fruit’s ability to reduce inflammation and mucus production. Studies show the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C may also reduce the severity of colds, allergies, and asthma.

Treats Gallstones

The citric acid in lemon juice can help treat gallstones, calcium deposits, and kidney stones. For centuries, people have used a gallbladder flush made from lemon juice and olive oil. This method involves fasting for 12 hours and then drinking 4 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice eight times every 15 minutes. While lemon juice shouldn’t take the place of medical attention in these instances, it could serve as a supplementary treatment.

Delivers Vitamin C

As a citrus fruit, lemons are high in vitamin C, which studies suggest has numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system and reducing your risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease and stroke. You will need more than one slice of lemon to provide a good top-up to your daily vitamin C, so be sure to add plenty of lemon wedges to your water.

Early-Morning Hydration

After spending the night with no fluid intake, our bodies need hydration first thing in the morning. While water provides the fluid, lemon provides additional benefits. Researchers believe warm water kick-starts your digestive system, making early-morning hot water and lemon drink a great choice. Many people find that the burst of flavor encourages them to drink more, so they are more likely to have that important first cup of the day.

Delivers Potassium

Lemons also contain potassium, among a whole host of important minerals. Potassium aids muscle movement and helps balance fluid levels. Compared to other fruits, grapes have less potassium than lemons, while apples or bananas are richer in this mineral. Every lemon water you drink tops up your potassium, getting you closer to your recommended daily intake.

Prevents Kidney Stones

Developing kidney stones is a very unpleasant and painful experience. Unfortunately, if you’ve had a kidney stone in the past, you’re more likely to get one again. Kidney stones are a build-up of substances, including calcium, that crystalizes into a small, hard mass the body then has to remove. The citric acid in lemons can help break down calcium crystals and reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Prevents Anemia

The process of absorbing iron into the body relies on the presence of vitamin C. By drinking lemon water, you are increasing your intake of vitamin C and, therefore, your ability to absorb iron from your diet. This helps keep the important mineral at a healthy level and reduces your risk of developing anemia from an iron deficiency.