Why Drink Lemon Water In The Morning? Health Tips & More
What Happens When You Drink Lemon Water Everyday?
January 23, 2024
By Haley Holt
Image by Vladimir Gladkov
Have you ever wondered what happens when you drink lemon water in the morning, or add lemon water to your morning routine? Well, same.
Drinking water with a whole lemon in the morning is one of the most vouched-for wellness tips.
But, is it worth the hype? Through experts, conducted research, and our own experience, we now have all the answers.
This year, the journey towards becoming our best selves will involve embracing a slower pace, focusing on the broad scope of our vision board, and getting things right.
Honestly, taking it one step at a time.
Through our experience (primarily fuck ups), attempting a complete overhaul of change all at once often leads to setbacks. Instead, we are adopting a gradual approach to change. Focusing on one element, only then, to continue and progress toward your goals steadily - think building blocks.
This wild, ‘never heard of’ approach, calls for a Vision Board mini-series. Yes, we are building together.
image by Ghislaine Guerin
Why should you drink lemon water in your morning routine? Health tips & more
If you share a similar perspective, increasing water consumption in your morning routine may appear, well, as exhausting as it sounds.
The constant advice to embrace additional elements into our wellness routine can create the impression that a 4 am wake-up is essential to accommodate everything. It is highly unlikely that Lauren from Los Angeles rises at 4:30 am every day, effortlessly completes a 26-step wellness morning routine, attends to family responsibilities, fulfills a full day of work, prepares a nutritious dinner meal, and still finds time for her evening skincare routine.
Even we needed a break after grasping that entire theory together.
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Our motivation behind drinking lemon water in our morning routine
The medical advice at the Cleveland Clinic addresses 7 powerful reasons to start drinking lemon water in the AM along with additional information and facts.
In total transparency, our reason was this - In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, many individuals turn to simple, yet powerful habits, that can make a significant impact on their body and overall well-being. This was a habit that seemed easy enough to try out.
So - we tested out the lemon water hype for over 6 months on our terms.
(Our terms: making it as simple as possible.)
Image by Anda Ambrosini
How to make lemon water a part of your morning routine
The concept we followed, to be able and integrate our daily dose of lemon water, is described as habit stacking.
In 2018, James Clear introduced this term in his book, Atomic Habits. The idea you can accomplish more by focusing on less, habit stacking involves associating a new habit with an already existing one.
The idea is to "stack" the new habit on top of an established routine that already exists. The key to a successful habit stack is selecting a cue or action that you already perform regularly and linking it with the new behavior you want to adopt.
Our popular habit stacks
Let’s say you already have a daily routine of a morning walk on your treadmill. Before the everyday walk, fill the water bottle with lemon water.
Walking is part of your routine, and incorporating lemon water serves as a stacking element. Or -
Each morning you prioritize a brief skincare routine the moment you are out of bed. Before beginning with the Gua Sha, fill a large glass with lemon water, and include your favorite straw to sip on during the skin care regimen.
*Quick tip - While lemon water has its benefits, it's essential to be aware that it may potentially weaken tooth enamel and cause irritation to the gums according to our friends at Healthline.
Consuming lemon water using a straw can help minimize direct contact with citric acid and your teeth.
Image by Jake Charles
Now, let’s continue ...
What are the benefits of lemon water in the morning?
Lemon water has received considerable attention for its purported gut-balancing, fat-burning, and skin-clearing properties.
However, it's essential to note that there is limited scientific research supporting the notion that adding lemon juice to water results in miraculous health benefits.
While both lemons and water individually offer significant health advantages, the belief that combining them, particularly as a morning routine, is questionable for enhancing our well-being.
Moving on, let's get to the good stuff.
Image by David Lalang
For over a year now, we've maintained a regular habit of consuming approximately 24 ounces of lemon water each morning with one whole lemon.
We have made a few observations...
Lemon water benefits for staying hydrated
Basically, hydration with a zest.
Staying adequately hydrated is fundamental to good health, and lemon water provides a delicious twist to this essential habit. The infusion of lemon adds a burst of flavor to water, making it more palatable for those who struggle to meet their daily water intake goals.
In layman’s terms, we were able to intake a lot more water this way each day. The enhanced taste can serve as an enticing reminder to stay hydrated throughout the day.
*Quick lemon water recipe tip - When preparing homemade lemon water, we suggest selecting lemons with thin peels, as they tend to be juicier. A ripe lemon will exhibit softness and display no signs of green on the outer surface.
Keep in mind to make use of the whole lemon to harness its full potential; employing a lemon squeezer can be beneficial in this regard.
Image by Jeff Siepman
Lemon water benefits are great for skin health
Lemons, similar to other citrus fruits, boast a high vitamin C content. Vitamin C is a crucial element in collagen production and contributes a vital role in supporting the immune system. Collagen, pivotal for skin elasticity and strength, relies on adequate vitamin C levels.
Regular consumption of vitamin C has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases and may contribute to a faster recovery from illnesses. Starting your day with lemon water can be a proactive step in fortifying your immune defenses.
According to the USDA, the juice of a whole lemon provides 21% of the daily recommended value for vitamin C. By integrating two whole lemons into our daily routine, we observed daily improvements in clearer skin and a heightened appearance of hydration.
*Quick tip - Pair warm lemon water with minced ginger for a fantastic detox regimen.
This pairing not only strengthens the immune system but also boosts metabolism. The active substance in ginger, known as gingerol, acts as an immune-stimulating nutrient, providing additional benefits of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection.
Image by Jane Palash
Supports the gut microbiome for gut health
Lemon water has been touted for its digestive benefits, we love this for us.
Consuming lemon water in the morning is believed to initiate the digestion process, aiding in the prevention of indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. Furthermore, lemon is recognized for its ability to stimulate the production of bile and gastric juices, potentially preventing the formation of gas.
The beverage is also thought to enhance gut transit and colon hydration, making it beneficial for alleviating constipation, particularly when consumed on an empty stomach at the start of the day.
Additionally, the richness of fiber in lemons contributes to promoting overall gut health.
*Quick tip - It’s important to note that while lemon water can contribute to gut health, it should not be solely relied upon as the primary factor. Consider it as a beneficial addition to support overall gut health.
We rely on probiotics to move the gut along.
Image by Giorgio Trovato
Lemon benefits for liver detoxification
The liver can also be cleaned by drinking lemon detox water.
Lemon’s vitamin C has antioxidant properties that shield the liver from damage caused by toxins. Lemon water has been shown to aid in liver detoxification and improve liver function.
*Quick tip - Keep in mind, a lemon drop martini doesn't qualify as a suitable substitute, well - we can pretend on the weekends!
Blood Pressure Regulation
The potassium content in lemons can help manage blood pressure levels by counteracting the effects of sodium and promoting vasodilation, which may contribute to lower blood pressure.
Kidney Stone Prevention
Lemons are rich in citric acid, which can increase urinary citrate levels. Citrate helps inhibit the formation of calcium-based kidney stones by binding to calcium in the urine and preventing crystal formation, reducing the risk of stone formation. Regular consumption of lemon water, as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, may contribute to these positive health outcomes.
*However, individual results may vary, and it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.
Image by Boxed Water Is Better
Lemon Juice, Metabolism, and Weight Loss
While lemon water is not a miraculous solution for weight loss, it can play a supportive role in a well-rounded weight management strategy.
The fiber content in lemons, coupled with enhanced hydration, may contribute to a sense of fullness, potentially aiding in the reduction of overall calorie consumption.
*Quick tip - While dehydration can slow metabolic rate, most lemon-water-linked weight loss happens when people use it to replace high-calorie beverages like soda or fruit juice.
We combine warm lemon water with our most admired tea, Yogi, as our supplementary choice to add variety to our routine - this can factor towards your goal to lose weight.
Image by Jelena Mirkovic
Embracing lemon water or an increased water consumption can be simple. We discovered that this approach has been highly effective in promoting health and boosting our daily water intake.
From hydration and immune support to aiding digestion and weight management, the benefits of this citrus-infused elixir are plentiful. While it's not a substitute for a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle, the addition of lemon water can be a refreshing and enjoyable step toward wellness on your terms.
Raise your glass and toast to a new daily dose of lemon water.
Thoughts? Comment below.
