Is Lemon Water Healthy For You
When it comes to finding new ways to stay hydrated (open in new tab), you have likely seen endless headlines about lemon waters wonder properties, ranging from losing weight quickly to washing out toxins in your body. Several studies have been conducted into the health benefits of drinking lemon water, and results show lemon water can do everything from aiding digestive tract and weight loss, to improving skin tone. Headlines have linked drinking lemon water with a number of other health claims, including weight loss, improved digestion, an alkalizing effect on the body, improved skin, and detoxification. 5, 1
By drinking lemon water instead of less healthful drinks such as soda, lemon water may help limit your caloric intake and may help with your weight loss efforts. The benefits of lemon water include increased vitamin C, weight loss, preventing kidney stones, and refreshing your breath. Plus, by adding lemons to water, you are adding a number of important vitamins and nutrients to your beverage, as well as fresh flavors that pose little health risks. 2
If you are one that finds drinking water challenging, or does not like the taste much, adding lemon to hot or cold water may make drinking water more appealing. Or, you can juice the lemon, or use a juicer to first extract juice from the fresh lemon, then add that to the beverage. You can also just drop slices of lemon into water, so you will have pulp in your drink as well as the juice. 1, 5, 3
Adding lemon juice to water is a delicious alternative that can help you reach both your water goals and vitamin C requirements. Fruit juices and acidic liquids can affect the enamel on your teeth, so you are best off diluted concentrated lemon juice in water or drinking through a straw. The citrus fruits acidity may irritate the mucosal surfaces; consider that the pH of lemon juice is slightly lower than vinegar, but it can be more alkaline than stomach juice. 4, 1, 9
Bottled lemon juice is also often just water and citric acid mixed together, either with some lemon flavoring, or very little lemon juice. Lemon juice can even be applied to scars and age spots to lessen their appearance, and since it is cleansing the blood, it will keep the skin looking radiant. Lemon juice gives your body energy as it goes into your digestive tract, and also helps reduce anxiety and depression. 10, 7
Lemon juice not only promotes healthy digestion by breaking down toxins in the digestive tract, but also helps alleviate the symptoms of digestive discomfort, like heartburn, burping, and bloating. Lemon juice contains a variety of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, which promotes healthy brain and heart function. Lemons are an excellent source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects your body against harmful free radicals. 7, 4, 3
Vitamin C is a known antioxidant that may help to protect the skin from free radicals, so it is possible that drinking lemon water may help to enhance its appearance and decrease signs of ageing. Lemon Water Improves Skin Quality The vitamin C found in lemons can help reduce wrinkling, age-related dry skin, and damage caused by the sun. Regular drinking of lemon water can help build bones, promote oral health, and prevent anemia and kidney stones because of its citrate content. 5, 8, 4
Drink the juice of 2 lemons, diluted with water, daily, and you can lower the risk of developing kidney stones. Mixing the juice of two or three lemons into water each day may be enough to reduce low-density lipoprotein, otherwise known as bad cholesterol, and lower the risk of heart disease. Overall, there are many health benefits of drinking several glasses of lemon water every day, particularly when compared with other sugary drinks. 11, 6, 2
Water also keeps you full without consuming calories, so drinking a glass of water before meals may decrease how much you eat. Samantha Kassetty suggests using one lemon juice throughout your day, drinking one to two glasses of lemon water at meals, and a glass between meals. Starting the day with a cup of warm lemon water, or having lemon water at any temperature during the day, can provide benefits that range from reducing hunger pangs to better digestion. 0, 2, 9
If you are ever experiencing digestive discomfort, belly rumblings, or digestive issues in general, drinking hot lemon water 10-15 minutes before eating can aid enzyme production in the intestines and help digestion. While anecdotally, lemon water can help some people with digestion and ease acid reflux, it can also boost stomach acidity and esophagus, exacerbating existing digestive issues. While it seems that adding just one simple lemon juice to a cup of plain water is incredibly simple, it can offer some pretty big health benefits. 10, 3
If you think that water is kind of boring, adding zesty lemon may make drinking it a little more enjoyable, which can help increase your overall water intake. Fortunately, there are a variety of options that will help you to inject a little flavor, and lemon juice can make for a hot, cold, or chilled citrusy beverage you can enjoy any time. In fact, the water and natural hydration from lemon juice will boost hydration, as well as giving you a very mild diuretic effect that can alleviate bloating. 3, 6, 10
Drinking plain water will keep your skin moisturized naturally, but adding in a splash of lemon juice will give your skin that extra kick. One mom-expert claims hot lemon water helps to break down oils in our food (I am not so sure of this); but, subjectively, it really does aid in digestion, and I really like the flavor, as well as the natural vitamin C, with no calories. In fact, the National Kidney Foundation recommends drinking four ounces of lemon juice mixed in with water daily for preventing kidney stones. 6, 9, 3
About the Author
Becky Freeman is the founder of BVTalks® and Bee Vee Clean. She focuses on women’s intimate health, vaginal microbiome education, and creating practical, easy-to-understand content for everyday care.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider if you have questions about your health or symptoms.
