How do you kick off your day? Wake. Stretch. Brush your teeth. And then perhaps a morning beverage to kick your system into gear.
Of course, some folks go for a cup o’ joe to power through their morning commute. Others may opt for an herbal tea to try and relax before work. And some mornings, you just want a glass of OJ to complement a hot breakfast. And sure, they’re all fine options.
But, sometimes the most simple option is the best. And a drink of warm lemon water may be just the thing to make your mornings blissful – for your body and your taste buds.
Lemon Water Benefits
First of all, lemon water doesn’t have a ton of ingredients. It’s straightforward… simple. And the nutritional benefits of lemon are pretty special. You see, while lemons may not have the high profile of other fruits, they do have plenty to offer.
In fact, take a look at what adding one cup of lemon juice to your water can add to your daily diet:
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Potent antioxidants
- Magnesium1
So, How Can Lemon Water Help?
Well, one of the lemon’s best attributes is its vitamin C content. Vitamin C is such a major player because it’s a powerful antioxidant. Now, antioxidants protect cells from free radical damage, which can be associated with many serious conditions.2 There’s a bit more to this when it comes to lemon water, though.
On top of their high vitamin C content, lemon also contains a set of natural chemicals known as phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are also full of antioxidants which gives the lemon a powerful one-two punch when it comes to keeping your body healthy.3
How Does Lemon Water Benefit Your Skin?
Now, when it comes to lemon water’s ability to help your skin, you may already know that regular hydration is great for skin health and appearance.And many experts recommend at least eight glasses of water daily to stay hydrated.4 So, a glass of lemon water in the morning can be of real use here.
It’s especially great for people who don’t like water – because changing the flavor a little bit can be the kick you need to drink up.
Also, adding lemon to your water can be a great skin-friendly trick. In fact, vitamin C is thought to lessen the appearance of wrinkled and dry skin.5
But, lemon water can contribute to your body in other ways as well.
More Great Benefits
In addition to its antioxidant power and ability to help your skin, several studies show that lemon may actually help with kidney stones. Part of the reason is that lemon water is high in citrate – a substance typically used in traditional kidney stone treatments. 6
Furthermore, lemon water might also be great way to support digestion. That’s because the citric acid from lemons may help work alongside your own stomach acids to break food down.
Also, lemon is a great source of potassium, to help transport waste and carry out many other necessary functions within your body.7
Are There Myths Out There About Lemon Water?
Sure, there are. Though lemon water has plenty to offer, it has also been the subject of certain health myths. People started talking about lemon water when celebrities spread the idea that lemon water could be used to help you lose weight. Sure, it’s healthy, but the idea behind lemon water as a weight loss supplement wasn’t really founded in deep research.
For one, the initial studies only involved animals. And to date, there haven’t been any equivalent studies done on the human body. Equally problematic is the fact that the studies focused on the lemon rind, not the fruit or juice of the lemon. It’s an issue because the nutrient profiles of the rind and the fruit are not the same. Even if you zest your lemon water with rind, it would still be different.8
And if you’re worried about ingesting too much citric acid and if that can negatively impact your teeth, just swish some plain water around in your mouth after drinking your lemon water – this will help a great deal if you end up drinking lemon water more frequently.9
How to Make Your Own Lemon Water
So, if you’re ready to give it a go, making lemon water is super-simple. All you need to do is –
1. Squeeze a half lemon into 8 ounces of boiling, cold, or warm water.
2. Give it a little more flavor by adding some mint, ginger, or even cinnamon.
3. Add a slice of limes, orange, or cucumber to kick the nutrient content up a notch.10
In Review
What you drink can have a great impact on your health… especially if you’re consciously taking better care of your body.
So go ahead and enjoy that lemon water – it could have some health benefits, especially if it leads to better hydration. But don’t expect weight loss miracles from it!
Want more health tips? Learn more:
Meal Planning: How Often Should You Actually Eat?
Sources:
1. http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1938/2
2. http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/antiox.html
3. https://www.rd.com/health/diet-weight-loss/lemon-water-health-benefits/
4. https://www.uwhealth.org/madison-plastic-surgery/the-benefits-of-drinking-water-for-your-skin/26334
5. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/86/4/1225/4649573
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18946667
7. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/06/7-reasons-to-start-your-day-with-lemon-water-infographic/
8. http://time.com/4701447/lemon-water-weight-loss/
9. https://wellnessmama.com/35192/lemon-water-benefits/
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-lemon-water#4