11 Zesty Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water in the Morning
By Christina Lyon
Forgive us for saying so, but the zest is best!
Ready to add some zest to your mornings? Starting your morning on the right foot can set your entire day into positive motion. And no, you don’t need an intricate morning routine or an intense 5 AM workout to kick your day into high gear. Starting your day with intention can be as simple as journaling for five minutes or drinking lemon water!
What a breeze! Drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning has many benefits that can boost both your health and your beauty routine.
So before you slice those cucumbers to depuff, slice some lemons and pour yourself a refreshing glass of lemon water.
If you’ve ever craved more from those precious first hours of the day, this zesty glass of goodness can give your mornings the boost you crave.
And there’s a body of research to support its health benefits. Drinking lemon water can foster clear skin, boost your immune system, and round out a heart-healthy diet.
Ready for a lemon zest that carries you through your entire day?
Keep reading to learn about eleven health and beauty benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning!
Why Drink Lemon Water in the Morning?
In addition to giving you a tangy, tasty wake-up call, there’s a myriad of reasons to drink lemon water in the morning.
Most people recognize lemons for their sour kick full of vitamin C. While vitamin C is an excellent nutrient for hydration, there is more to lemons than you might think.
Lemons are chock-full of bountiful nutrients like vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, and thiamin.
Additionally, citrus fruits contain healthy minerals and electrolytes your body craves, including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Lemons have so much to offer beneath their briny peel!
So what do all of these feel-good nutrients do for your mind and your body? Let’s find out!
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water in the AM?
When life gives you lemons, make lemon water! If you wake up and pour yourself a cup of lemon water every day, you’ll begin to notice how good it makes you feel and look from the inside out.
The potent properties of lemons can improve skin texture, boost your immune system, support brain health, and much more.
Want to learn about how the incredible nutrients work in action? Next time you head to the grocery store, grab a bag of lemons and reap these 11 benefits.
1. A Shot of Immunity, Please!
We all need immune protection more than ever right now. Ready to ward off the cold and flu season with your daily serving of lemon water first thing in the morning. The nourishing vitamin C in real lemons is great for fighting common colds and the nasty symptoms that accompany them.
The powerful vitamin increases the production of white blood cells, which work to protect your body from harmful bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, the vitamin C found in lemons has anti-inflammatory effects to minimize swelling and inflammation.
In addition to vitamin C, lemons are a great source of potassium! So, if you’re sick of snacking on bananas every day, switch it up with lemon water!
Potassium helps control blood pressure and regulates fluid balance in the body. Lastly, lemons contain saponins, an antimicrobial property that keeps that sore throat and runny nose away.
With the help of a bit of lemon water in the morning, your immune system is ready to take on the world!
2. Promotes Clear, Blemish-Free Skin
Clear skin is always in! So why not give your skin an extra boost with something as simple and satisfying as a glass of lemon water in the morning?
The vitamin C and antioxidant components in lemons go to war with free radicals to purge harmful toxins from your blood. Externally, this leads to fewer fine lines and blemishes. Extra Vitamin C can be your way to glowing skin too.
Plus, applying lemon water directly to problem areas on your skin acts as a soothing ointment! Who knew that just a glass of lemon water could accelerate your skincare routine to the next level? Sign us up!
3. Supports a Heart-Healthy Diet
Heart disease is a ubiquitous issue in the United States, so eating a heart-healthy diet is vital.
As mentioned above, lemons are a fantastic source of potassium. The rich mineral helps regulate blood pressure, promoting the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart.
Additionally, the potassium combined with the vitamin C found in your daily lemon water can lower your risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Of course, lemon water alone isn’t going to keep your heart in tip-top shape; you’ll want to couple it with cardio exercise and a nutritious diet.
Bottom line: lemon water is a healthy, natural supplement for a heart-healthy lifestyle!
4. Balances pH Levels in the Body
Despite the concentration of citric acid in lemons, they’re one of the most alkalizing foods for the human body once they fully metabolize.
Your body’s enzymes need an alkaline environment to work correctly. Therefore, alkaline foods are an essential addition to your daily diet because of their ability to balance pH levels in the body and keep conditions like acid reflux at bay.
Getting your daily intake of lemon water can help raise your body’s pH balance and prevent bacteria growth and viruses from attacking your health. Extra lemons, please!
5. Promotes Weight Loss
If you’re struggling to lose those last stubborn pounds on your weight loss journey, hot lemon water in the morning might be the kickstart your metabolism needs.
When combined with a healthy diet that includes a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, along with regular exercise, lemon water can accelerate weight loss.
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The pectin fiber found in lemons and the full helping of hot water helps fight hunger cravings. In turn, you’ll feel fuller longer and increase your metabolic rate. Goodbye diet fads, hello zesty lemons!
6. Smooths Digestive Issues
Let’s face it: no one wants to battle symptoms of indigestion like bloating, painful bowel movements, heartburn, and constipation.
Lemon water to the rescue! Because lemon juice is a diuretic, it helps flush out toxins and keeps your digestive system running smoothly. You’ll have less gas, smoother BMs, and neutralize acid reflux.
Drinking lemon water in the morning can prevent issues like kidney stones by making your urine less acidic. It also encourages the liver to produce bile that is necessary for healthy digestion.
Additionally, lemons contain vitamins and minerals that help loosen toxins throughout the digestive tract. Smooth sailing from here, ladies!
7. Need A Breath Freshener?
We all know someone who could use a zesty lemon rind to freshen their breath. And let’s be honest, none of us are impervious to bad breath.
Whether it was the onions from lunch or garlic from Italian, you can keep your tongue and pearly whites fresh with the help of lemon water in the morning.
Additionally, lemon juice relieves tooth pain and gingivitis, giving you a fresher mouth and better breath to boot! However, one thing to note is that the acidity in lemons can erode tooth enamel, so hold off on brushing your teeth directly after drinking your warm lemon water in the morning.
Our suggestion? Sip your lemon water through a straw to avoid any further enamel breakdown.
8. Stay Calm All Day Long
Need a little R&R? Take a sip of lemon water! Your body gets depleted of vitamin C when you’re feeling stressed or anxious.
Not to worry, because lemons replenish this shortage, which can help ease mental and physical stress.
So give that whole lemon an extra squeeze on days when you’re not feeling your best. Daily lemon water will seriously take your self-care routine up a notch!
9. This is Your Brain on Lemons…
Need a boost in brainpower? If you’re struggling to find the bandwidth to do taxes, exercise, or simply get ready, fuel your brain power with lukewarm lemon water.
The potassium in lemons stimulates brain and nerve function while keeping energy levels high. Be sure not to skip your glass of lemon water in the morning so you can stay more focused and alert throughout your day.
Fun fact: a single lemon contains more potassium than an apple or a serving of grapes!
10. Your Liver Loves Lemons
It’s no secret that we sometimes struggle to bounce back after a night of one too many drinks. Well, lemon water can ward off the negative symptoms of one too many lemon drops!
Lemons increase the urination rate, which means they flush harmful toxins in alcohol and excess materials out of your body faster. The citrus flavonoids in lemon reduce fat in the liver and protect it from damaging toxins.
Trust us; your liver will thank you for your new morning ritual!
11. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
As we age, many of us experience joint pain and stiffness. Put the troubled areas of your body at ease by drinking lemon water in the morning.
Daily intake of lemon water and other joint-friendly foods like leafy greens and berries can soothe aches and pains in the long run.
For an extra anti-inflammatory kick, eat a handful of blueberries with breakfast 15 to 30 minutes after you finish drinking lemon water.
Choosing to follow an anti-inflammatory diet can prevent further joint damage and minimize the need for painkillers.
Now that you know all the benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning, let’s equip you with our favorite recipe to start your morning right!
Our Favorite Lemon Water Recipe
The main ingredients in every cup of lemon water are, wait for it: lemon and water. OK, you already knew that, right? Well, you can spruce up your lemon water recipe with a few key ingredients that’ll up the dosage on health benefits and flavor.
Our favorite? Something we like to call the Morning Detox:
- 8 oz. of hot water
- Juice of one fresh lemon or bottled lemon juice
- 1 Tsp. of cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. of honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar
Mix the above ingredients for a cup of warm, detoxifying goodness. Drink this detox cocktail first thing in the morning to flush out your liver and reset your metabolism. Your tastebuds will have a field day, and you’ll be on the right track from morning till night.
Sip, sip, hooray!
Tips to Optimize the Benefits
Now that you’re ready to start each morning with a soothing glass of warm lemon water, how can you optimize the effects? Follow these tips:
- Drink lemon water 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast. Drinking enough water on an empty stomach gives the lemon water time to work its magic before filling your digestive tract with food. To make this process easy, we recommend doing it first thing in the morning. Set a second alarm five minutes after your first alarm goes off, so you don’t forget!
- Shake up the added ingredients. We get it; drinking the same glass of warm lemon water every day can get a tad monotonous. Try new lemon water recipes like the Morning Detox we shared above. When you get bored, try adding turmeric or apple cider to mix things up. Plus, changing up the additional ingredients will give your body a mix of health benefits.
- Practice a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, you can’t only rely on your daily lemon water to keep you healthy and thriving. The best way to reap the benefits of drinking warm lemon water in the morning is by pairing this with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
- Use the best lemons. The better the lemon, the more nutrient-dense juice in your cup! When you’re grocery shopping, look for dense lemons with thin skin to get the most health benefits. These usually have the greatest amount of juice inside – bonus points if you pick out an organic lemon. Lastly, make sure your lemons are bright yellow with no green patches!
- Prep a pitcher for the week. Suppose you find yourself struggling to make your morning glass of lemon water before the day takes off; why not prep a full pitcher on Sunday night? Planning ahead makes the process quick and smooth so you can soak in all of the benefits without being late to the office!
If you follow the tips above daily, you’ll surely optimize the abundant benefits of your newest morning ritual!
Start Your Morning With Zest!
Whether you drink lemon water with honey or drink it with hot or cold water, drinking lemon water in the morning provides a zesty dose of wellness that stays with you all day long! Repeat after me:
Start your morning with zest, and get ready to feel your best!
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