9 Amazing Benefits of Lemon Water + How To Drink It

Drinking water has a ton of health benefits. This post will tell you the amazing benefits of lemon water and give you 9 reasons why you should drink it every day.

We all know the drill. We’re supposed to drink lots of water every day. It’s the best thing for you, hydrating your body and giving your skin a beautiful boost.

When you drink water, there are no worries about empty calories or too much sugar. It’s really the only beverage that truly quenches your thirst. 

And, it’s easily accessible, too, right?

I drink about 140 ounces of water a day. I’m a big fan of water with apple cider vinegar. In fact, I have written a post all about how drinking apple cider vinegar reduces bloating and belly fat, lowers cholesterol, and more. Take a look at the post, and you’ll see that apple cider seriously does great things for you.

Sometimes, when I want to switch things up a little, I’ll go for a nice tall glass (or two, or four) of lemon water. It’s mega-refreshing, and I love the tangy taste.

But even better are the benefits of lemon water. Let’s go over them now, and you’ll see why you’ll want to start including lemon water as a healthy way to hydrate.

NUTRIENTS IN LEMONS

Believe it or not, lemons are actually a mini-powerhouse. Let’s look at some of the good stuff packed into a tiny lemon:

• Lemons contain carbs in the form of natural sugars
• Lemon has soluble fiber, like pectin
• Vitamins in lemons include Vitamin C and B6
• Lemons have potassium
• Citric acid is a healthy component
• Lemons contain antioxidants

HOW TO DRINK LEMON WATER

Squeezing the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water is the typical way to drink it, but I also like to slice a lemon and pop the slices into a tall glass of water. I add a few ice cubes, and now and then I’ll stir in a dash of turmeric. Turmeric has many benefits, too, and is a healthy addition to your diet.  See my post about it and learn about how turmeric is good for the brain, the heart, and even your thyroid. 

A slice of fresh ginger gives a great zing, too. Not only that, adding ginger to your diet has multiple health-related advantages, like fighting infection and lowering blood sugar, and has awesome benefits. Some people like to drink their lemon water hot, like a tea. Room temperature is fine, too. 

Get inventive and add whatever you like to your water (except tons of processed sugar). If adding flavor helps you up your water intake, it’s a good thing:

• A teaspoon of raw honey
• A teaspoon of pure maple syrup
• A few mint leaves
• A sprinkle of cinnamon

WHEN IS IT BEST TO HAVE LEMON WATER?

Drinking lemon water any time of day is beneficial. If you are someone who finds it hard to remember to drink water, start the morning off with glass or two. It’s a great way to begin the day and ensures that you replenish water lost overnight. Doing so is also thought to help get the digestive system moving for the day. Then, try to fit in more as you go about your activities.

HOW MUCH LEMON WATER SHOULD I DRINK?

I drink about 140 ounces of water every day, but that's because I am quite active end I workout.  A minimum amount of water to drink for me would be 70 ounces, which is comparable to the recommended 9 cups for women and 12 cups for men a day. If you are prone to kidney stones, you may want to drink more.

I drink lots of water as part of my intermittent fasting regimen (find out everything you need to know about intermittent fasting in my post!). Lemon water is a good option for quenching your thirst during a fasting period. You don’t have to worry because it won’t break your fast at all. Lemon water does not affect your blood sugar, causing it to spike as some other drinks will. 

When fasting, drink as much water with lemon as you’d like. There is a thought that the citrus may affect your tooth enamel. If you are consuming a lot of water mixed with lemon or apple cider vinegar, use a straw to drink.

LEMON WATER IS GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Drinking water can benefit weight loss. Adding extra water intake to your daily regimen is always a good thing. It sates your thirst and fills you up. One of the benefits of lemon water is that the pectin in the lemon can curb hunger. The flavonoids in lemons can also speed up the metabolism of fats and sugars. Replace your morning glass of orange juice with lemon water, and you are saving calories and reducing your sugar intake, too.

LEMON WATER HELPS WITH INFLAMMATION

Drinking lemon water can help with inflammation. When you drink sufficient amounts of water, you flush toxins out of the body. Lemons boost that effect in that they contain antioxidants that help get rid of the impurities.

LEMON WATER IS GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN

Drinking water in any form is excellent therapy for the skin. It’s thought that Vitamin C has some intervention against wrinkling, dryness, and even sun damage. There is proof that lemon water may prevent skin aging because of the action of the enzymes and antioxidants.

LEMON WATER FRESHENS YOUR BREATH

There are a lot of health conditions that can cause a dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath. Issues that result, like gum disease, are helped by lemon water. Drinking water, in general, helps keep the saliva moving and the breath fresher. But adding lemon to drink and also rinsing with the lemon water has been proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

LEMON WATER HELPS TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES

Flushing the kidneys with lemon water works to break up stone particles. The citric acid in lemons prevents the formation of crystals leading to kidney stones. Four ounces of lemon juice a day (which you would mix in your water) increases citrate levels. Drinking lots of lemon water will also increase your urine volume, which is known to help with kidney stones, too.

LEMON WATER HELPS YOUR IMMUNITY

Lemons are chock full of Vitamin C, a known antioxidant that fights free radicals. This multi-purpose vitamin is known to help with bone formation, heal wounds, and more. It is becoming even more apparent that Vitamin C protects the immune system.

Other good sources of Vitamin C are:

• Red and green peppers
• Strawberries
• Brocolli
• Turnip
• Brussel sprouts
• Tomatoes

LEMON WATER BOOSTS YOUR POTASSIUM

Bananas aren’t the only fruit high in potassium. Lemons are a good source, too. What does potassium do? Potassium can regulate fluid balance (less bloating is a benefit of lemon water, folks!) and help to prevent muscle cramps.

LEMON WATER IS AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF HYDRATION

Let’s think about it - anything that helps you drink more water is a good thing. The benefits of lemon water are numerous, and that’s why you should add it to your glass, whether your preference is hot or cold. I like any kind of infused water and have come up with 5 combos of yummy add-ins to make drinking water an enjoyable part of your day. So, whether it’s lemon, strawberry, or cucumber that makes you love water more, it’s all good.

LEMON WATER IS GOOD FOR DIGESTION

Drinking lemon water is a great way to get the body’s digestive system up and moving. Water on its own is essential for maintaining all bodily functions. Lemons have a lot of pectin, and this fibrous compound promotes good gut health. 

MORE HEALTHY FOODS WITH ADDED NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

Eating well and being the best we can be is a goal a lot of us have. I’ve listed a few other guides to get you that much closer!

• 10 Benefits of Eggs and Why You Should Eat Them More Often!
• 19 Benefits of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar + How to Drink It
• Eating Clean for Beginners
• 21 Top Foods High in Fiber | How and Why to Get More Fiber in Your Diet
• 10 Amazing Benefits of Turmeric | More Than Just for Inflammation!

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