Lemon water has become a popular drink that many believe can improve their health and well-being. While it’s unlikely to be a miracle cure, lemon water is widely regarded to have several health benefits. But is drinking lemon water really good for you? Although very unscientific, drinking lemon water regularly might help your body in several ways.
The benefits of drinking lemon water
Drinking plain water may be the best way to stay healthy, hydrated, and refreshed, but it can be a bit ‘one note’. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to help you add some flavour, and lemon juice can create a hot, cold, or lukewarm zesty drink that you can enjoy anytime. And, being packed with vitamins and minerals, lemon water might be an even healthier option. Here are a few reasons why:
Lemon water for your skin
Lemons are packed with a naturally high vitamin C content. This compound helps to produce collagen, which will help improve and maintain a healthy skin appearance. Drinking plain water will keep your skin naturally moisturised, but adding a shot of lemon will give your skin that extra boost.
Lemon water for your immune system
Another benefit of lemon’s high vitamin C content is its importance in maintaining a healthy immune system. Your body doesn’t produce vitamin C, so it needs to come from the food and drink you consume. So lemon water is a great way to help support the cells that help fight bacteria and viruses.
Lemon water for your digestion
Drinking warm lemon water before each meal may help improve your digestion. Lemon contains citric acid, which has shown to increase gastric acid secretion in the stomach, and these fluids help your body break down and digest what you eat. However, drinking citrus-based drinks may not be suitable if you suffer from digestive issues like IBS.
Lemon water for your kidneys
It’s also those high levels of citric acid that can help to prevent kidney stones. As a hard deposit of minerals that build up, kidney stones are a painful issue. But citric acid can help suppress their formation and even break down smaller stones that may be forming. The NHS also recommends adding lemon juice to your water to help prevent kidney stones.
Lemon water for your cholesterol
Thanks to their naturally high vitamin C levels, lemons are also beneficial in helping to lower blood cholesterol levels. Mixing the juice of two to three lemons in water each day can be enough to lower your low-density lipoprotein (also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol) and lower the risk of heart disease.
Healthier water with Thirsty Work – just add lemons
All in all, drinking lemon water can be good for you. But there can be some drawbacks, such as citric acid not being kind to your tooth enamel or increasing the chance of getting heartburn, so moderation is key. But a sensible intake of lemon juice mixed with pure-filtered water from a mains-fed water cooler each day should offer you these health benefits – and maybe a few more.
Still waiting to get a mains-fed or bottled water cooler in your office or workplace? Contact our customer service team at 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com to get your free quote for our installation and service packages. We can even get you started on a no-obligation, 10-day free trial. You just need to bring the lemons!
FAQs
The health benefits of drinking lemon water may include adding vitamin C and antioxidants to your diet, cutting back on sugar-sweetened drinks, and aiding weight loss. You may not want to drink it too often, though. One glass of lemon water containing one 48-gram lemon, squeezed, contains : 10.6 calories.
How much lemon water should you drink a day? ›
A glass of lemon water first thing in the morning is an age-old remedy. To get your recommended daily intake of vitamin C (75 and 90 mg for women and men, respectively), you may need to drink about three-fourths of a cup of pure lemon juice per day. Mix the juice with 250 to 350 mL of water.
Does lemon water burn belly fat? ›
Can Lemon Water Help You Lose Weight? According to experts, all adding lemon to water really does is make your water taste like lemon. “It's not going to burn fat by any stretch of the imagination,” says Karen Ansel, R.D.N., author of Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging.
What are the benefits of lemon water? ›
Lemon water is a refreshing drink that can provide vitamin C and help someone maintain hydration. However, lemon water is unlikely to add any significant nutritional benefits. Lemon water is a popular home remedy, with some online sources claiming it can improve digestion, detox the body, or promote weight loss.
Does lemon water detox your body? ›
Fresh lemon juice mixed with water does not have a detoxifying effect, but it has a healthy vitamin C supplement effect. If you find it difficult to drink plain water, try adding some fresh lemon juice. The taste of lemon can make you feel better and enjoy drinking more water.
Is it OK if I drink lemon water everyday? ›
What happens if I drink lemon water every day? Drinking too much lemon water may lead to tooth erosion and heartburn over time, due to the acidic content of lemons. However, no side effects have been reported regarding drinking one cup of lemon water every day.
Does lemon water flush out sugar? ›
Lemon water may not directly impact your blood sugar levels and cause it to come down, but it can surely help prevent untimely spikes. The easy to make beverage is very low in carbohydrates and calories, and keeps you hydrated, which is very essential for diabetics to ensure.
Who should not drink lemon water? ›
If you are sensitive to tyramine, drinking lemon juice can trigger migraine headaches. Lemons can worsen heartburn symptoms in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In high amounts, lemon juice can also irritate your stomach and cause nausea.
What to drink for a flat tummy? ›
- Mar 29, 2023. Detox drinks and juices to lose belly fat. ...
- Beetroot juice. Whole beets are low in calories and high in fibre, which can support regularity, slow stomach emptying, and prolong satiety to support weight management. ...
- Carrot juice. ...
- Celery juice. ...
- Cinnamon water. ...
- Fennel water. ...
- Ginger water. ...
- Green vegetable juice.
Lemon Cinnamon Water: Squeeze half a lemon in lukewarm water and add a pinch of ground cinnamon. Drink it early morning every alternate day. Make sure you have your breakfast after 20-30 minutes.
While the jury remains out on Lemon Bottle's long-term benefits and risks, the experts all agree that patients should be sceptical of grand marketing claims. Those considering fat-dissolving injections should seek treatment from an aesthetic doctor or healthcare professional who is trained and properly insured.
Can I drink lemon water at night? ›
Dehydration can cause problems that include changes in mood, difficulty thinking, and other physical complications. Drinking a glass of hot lemon water before bed is a good way to stay hydrated. Lemon is also a source of vitamin C, which has several health benefits .
Does lemon water clean out your colon? ›
The idea that a lemon water detox can “cleanse” your body is false, Dubost said. The body removes toxins through its gastrointestinal tract. For that, it needs fiber. Lemon water doesn't contain the fiber necessary for the body to “self-cleanse.”
Does lemon water flush the liver? ›
Experts disagree on whether lemon does indeed detox the liver, however studies suggest that lemon water may improve liver function. Lemon water also holds a number of other benefits such as boosting the immune system, aiding digestion and helping with weight loss.
Does the 14 day lemon water diet work? ›
There are a few detox diets that feature a form of lemon water — such as the lemon detox or the fat flush. Both of these diets are used for rapid weight loss; lasting 10-14 days and replacing at least some food with a version of lemon water. Research has found little evidence to say that detox diets work.
What is the best time to drink lemon water? ›
The best time to drink lemon water is in the morning, on an empty stomach. This practice jumpstarts your metabolism, aids digestion, and provides a burst of hydration.
What is the lemon water diet for 3 days? ›
The lemon diet for 3 days typically refers to a short-term detox or cleanse using lemon water. During these three days, you would consume a mixture of freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and other ingredients such as maple syrup and cayenne pepper.
Is lemon water good for kidneys and liver? ›
Lemons are a natural diuretic, which helps to reduce water retention and bloating. 4. Lemons provide antioxidants that help to protect the liver and kidneys from damage.
Is it good to drink hot lemon water at night? ›
Dehydration can cause problems that include changes in mood, difficulty thinking, and other physical complications. Drinking a glass of hot lemon water before bed is a good way to stay hydrated. Lemon is also a source of vitamin C, which has several health benefits .
