Last Updated on May 28, 2021 by Lori Geurin
You can do many things to improve your health, but it may surprise you that drinking lemon water is one of them. Here are 9 health benefits you can enjoy from drinking lemon water.
Lemons have an amazing ability to boost your health and vitality. They contain Vitamin C, which is crucial for the immune system. They’re also high in fiber and antioxidants. And best of all, the fresh, clean scent of lemons can brighten your mood and put a smile on your face! Yes, they smell that good.
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Let’s take a quick look at the nutritional facts about lemons before exploring the health benefits.
Lemon Water Nutrition Facts
One cup of fresh lemon juice in a glass of water has:
- 61 calories
- 6 grams of sugar
- 3 grams of protein
- 0 grams of fat
- 1 gram fiber (4 percent DV)
- 112 milligrams vitamin C (a whopping 187 % DV!)
- 0.1 milligrams thiamine (5 percent DV)
- 303 milligrams potassium (9 percent DV)
- 31.7 micrograms folate (8 percent DV)
- 0.1 milligrams vitamin B6 (6 percent DV)
- 0.1 milligrams copper (4 percent DV)
- 14.6 milligrams magnesium (4 percent DV)
- 0.4 milligrams vitamin E (2 percent DV)
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What Are The Health Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water?
1. Helps You Maintain A Healthy Weight
Lemons contain a type of soluble fiber called pectin. Pectin is found in fruit and can help you feel full longer because it expands in your stomach. Some animal studies show that plant compounds in lemon extracts may prevent weight gain (1).
Related: 22 Essential Tips To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
2. Prevents Kidney Stones
Citric acid is a plant compound found in lemons which may help prevent kidney stones from forming (2).
3. Promotes Healthier Skin
The antioxidants in lemons fight damage caused by free radicals, which gives the skin an incredible glow from within. If you’ve ever used a vitamin C serum on your face, you know what I’m talking about.
Vitamin C also helps the body produce collagen, which smooths out wrinkles (3).
4. Protect Against Anemia
Anemia is often related to an iron deficiency. Drinking lemon water can help enhance the body’s ability to absorb iron from food (4).
So if you have iron-deficiency anemia, you may want to try drinking lemon water when eating iron-rich foods.
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5. Improves Digestive Health
D-Limonene is a plant compound found in lemon peel. It is what gives lemons their delightful, fresh scent.
It also helps calm an upset stomach and can relieve reflux and heartburn symptoms (5).
6. Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
The d-limonene and hesperidin plant compounds found in lemons may help reduce the risk of many types of cancer (6, 7).
7. Promotes Heart Health
The most common cause of death throughout the world is cardiovascular disease. This includes both strokes and heart attacks.
Did you know low vitamin C levels in the blood are a risk factor for stroke (7)? But, consuming fruits high in vitamin C can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease (8).
Plus, the fiber in citrus fruits was shown to decrease cholesterol levels (9).
8. Boosts The Immune System
The vitamin C found in lemons was shown to enhance the immune system (10).
Related: How To Strengthen Your Immune System Naturally
9. Boosts The Energy Level And Mood
Lemons are known as a natural energizer. Who (with the exception of a small child), couldn’t use more energy? Vitamin B6 includes a group of vitamins that help convert food to energy.
Plus, lemon essential oil can ease stress and boost your mood (12). You can simply smell the oil or apply it to your neck, wrists, or hands to experience the effects.
Please note, if you have sensitive skin you may want to dilute the oil (with olive, coconut, or another favorite carrier oil) to prevent irritation.
Related: How To Boost Your Energy Levels Naturally
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Drinking Lemon Water
Drinking lemon water is a simple way to enjoy the health benefits of lemons. It’s so refreshing and healthy!
I typically add the juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon to a large glass of water. You can also add a bit of honey if you like. You can drink lemon water lukewarm, or even cold if you prefer.
And drink it in the morning, throughout your day, or in the evening too. You can drink lemon water any time of day or night (just make sure you brush your teeth afterward. See the special considerations below for more information.).
Special Considerations About Drinking Lemon Water
Lemons are highly acidic and can eat away at the tooth enamel. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help prevent this from happening.
- Always dilute lemon juice by adding water.
- Drink lemon water first thing in the morning, before you brush your teeth. The bacteria present on your teeth will help protect the enamel. (Sounds gross, but it works!)
- Consider drinking it through a straw to lessen contact with teeth.
- After drinking lemon water, rinse your teeth with baking soda.
Other Uses For Lemons
Lemons are great for cleaning and deodorizing your kitchen. And who doesn’t love that all-natural fresh, clean scent?
Or clean your tarnished silverware with a drop of lemon essential oil on a cloth.
Whiten your teeth using a mixture of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, baking soda, and coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your toothbrush or simply use a clean finger to apply to the teeth. Leave this on your teeth for 2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
For more about natural teeth whitening, see 81 Uses For Coconut Oil.
Drinking Lemon Water With Honey
You may have heard, or even tried drinking warm lemon water with honey. Not only does it taste delicious and soothing, but there’s also scientific evidence showing it can help with a couple of things.
Honey has been shown to reduce coughing so this makes a great drink when you’re feeling under the weather. Plus, raw honey may benefit the bacteria in your gut.
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Summary – Health Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water
Considering all the health benefits of lemon water, is it any wonder so many of us are using lemon essential oil or drinking lemon water?
Who knew the impact of this tart, yellow fruit was so far-reaching? So, go on and enjoy a refreshing glass of lemon water!
Do you drink lemon water? What benefits have you noticed?
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I need to start drinking more lemon water. I saw a recipe yesterday that was coconut water and green tea with lemon and I am going to try that!
Oh, that’s sounds yummy – I love green tea!
I always drink lemon water. My mom and grandma ingrained it into my lifestyle but I just knew t was healthy. Not why.
Good for you, Brittany – Sounds like you have some smart ladies in your family!
I’ve heard such great things about lemon water, but yet I never get around to trying it. I do add lemon to my ice water because I like the flavor and I know how good it is for you. I really do need to try it in the morning.
Isn’t it refreshing? If you can’t drink it first thing in the morning, no worries…just drink it whenever fits your schedule.
I’ve been wanting to try lemon water, for all of the reasons you listed. I really need to get on it. Thanks for the reminder.
Hey Jenny, You’re so welcome…hope this helps. 🙂
I cannot drink water on its own. I need to add lemon to make it palatable to me. Glad to see it has so many benefits.
I think a lot of people feel the same way, Kelly. The lemon really helps to perk up it up and make it more flavorful, doesn’t it?
Who knew that there were so many additional benefits. I just always assumed it just helped me drink more water.
I know, right?!
It is such a coincidence that you are showing me the health benefits of lemon juice because we were putting fresh lemon in our seltzer. I will remember to add this at every opportunity.
That’s awesome (and sounds so refreshing), Melissa!
I never thought that lemon would have this much benefits, it’s amazing! Thanks for all of these, now I’m determined to drink more lemon water! Love it.
The benefits are pretty great. You’re so welcome. 🙂
Lemon water is amazing, it definitely has a lot of benefits. I’ve always used it for water detox, but I didn’t know that it helps heart health and energy!
It’s excellent for detoxing, isn’t it?! Thanks for sharing this, Karen.
I definitely had no idea there were so many benefits to drinking lemon water. I must admit it’s one of those things I don’t do regularly enough
It’s pretty powerful stuff, right?! And I hear you….I can always drink more lemon water. 🙂
Several of my family members have been trying to get me to use more lemons because of the health benefits. I just have a really hard time with the taste.
It sounds like your family really cares about you. Sometimes I put Stevia in my lemon water to make a sort of natural lemonade. You might like to try it sometime.
I LOVE lemon water so much! Actually — I love water in general but knowing that adding lemon has so many health benefits, I love drinking it even more. Lol.
Awesome, Kaylyn!
I am a gym addict and I love lemon water. This is perfect for gym going guys and is one of the favorite drink to hydrate while work out.
Thanks for sharing your love for lemon water!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the benefits of drinking it at the gym. It’s the perfect work out drink, and so refreshing.
Thanks for reading the blog and hope you come back soon!