Lemon water is a refreshing drink and an easy way to add a little extra vitamin C and antioxidants into your diet. Adding a splash of lemon to your water may make water more appealing to drink, which could help you cut back on drinking sugary sports drinks and juices.
Headlines have linked drinking lemon water to many health claims, including weight loss, improved digestion, 'alkalising' effects on the body, improved skin and detoxification.
Lemon water can promote fullness, support hydration, boost metabolism and increase weight loss. However, lemon water is no better than regular water when it comes to losing fat. That being said, it is tasty, easy to make and can be used as a low-calorie replacement for higher-calorie beverages.
How much lemon water should you drink? Stephens recommends using the juice from two to three lemons (about four to six tablespoons) throughout the day, and drinking one or two glasses of lemon water with meals, and one glass in between meals.
“Drinking water with an ounce of lemon juice can provide about 13% of your daily vitamin C requirement. It also has small amounts of potassium, thiamin, vitamin B6, and folate.” Of course, part of the benefit of drinking lemon water is simply that it helps you stay hydrated, which is important for overall health.
The answer to this is easy: No. Lemons do not have special fat-burning qualities, explains Czerwony. A squeeze of the fruit's pucker-inducing juice won't help you squeeze into a smaller pair of jeans. “That mechanism of action is just not there,” says Czerwony.
Despite its multiple benefits, consuming lemon water in excess may lead to damaging side effects. Too much lemon water can upset your stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting. Frequent exposure to the acid in the citrus fruit can also erode your tooth enamel.
Drinking lemon water regularly can cause enamel erosion or tooth decay because of the acid in the citrus fruit. Too much lemon water can also lead to heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and other gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.
The surprising thing is, I actually saw results. First off, upon the completion of my one-week lemon water challenge, I noticed my skin was almost flawless: no breakouts, no excess oils, no new blemishes. I also found that, to the touch, my skin was much softer and appeared to be much brighter.
Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. To help improve liver function, enjoy 4-6 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with water each day.
Warm water with lemon in the morning is one of the most used and very effective remedies to get rid of belly fat. All you need is warm water, a few drops of lemon, and if you would like, you can add a dash of salt. You even add a teaspoon of honey.
Upon the completion of my one-week lemon-water challenge, I noticed my skin was almost flawless: no breakouts, no excess oils, no new blemishes. I also found that my skin was much softer to the touch and appeared to be much brighter. Essentially, drinking the lemon juice created a natural highlight on my face.
Drinking hot lemon water before bed could help with nasal congestion or soothe a sore throat. Lemons also contain vitamin C. A 2017 paper suggested that vitamin C can shorten the duration of colds.
For the best flavor, add whatever fruit or vegetables you want to the water. Allow lemon to steep for 30 to 60 minutes. The other fruits, vegetables, and herbs may take longer to make their presence known. This is because they have to infuse their flavor into the water rather than just being added to it.
Drinking it ice cold may hinder the digestive benefits of the lemon water. And it makes your body spend more energy trying to heat it up. But lemon water at warm or room temperature provides you with the most health benefits.
Drink the juice of one lemon in one cup of warm water first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach). 2. Make sure to wait 30 minutes before eating breakfast, as this will ensure your body gets the most energy and nutrients from the food you eat.
Plus, the powerful antioxidants found in vitamin c help fight the damage caused by free radicals. Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning gives your body the antioxidants it needs to rejuvenate your skin and keep it looking fresh.
3. It can aggravate stomach problems and heartburn. People who consume too many citrus fruits often suffer from gastrointestinal problems, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. Therefore, you should consult a doctor before drinking lemon water if you experience any symptoms.
Drinking warm lemon water is good for you because it can help get your digestive system get moving in the morning without overloading it. Plus, efficient digestion reduces heartburn and constipation, so you won't have to worry about the acid in lemons giving you heartburn.
Boosts metabolism: It is said that the best time to consume lemon water are mornings. Mornings are said to be the best time to put in all effort to lose weight as at this time your metabolism is at its peak.
Lemon water is low in calories
If you replaced one glass of juice or a can of soda with a glass of lemon water every day for a year, you could save yourself the equivalent of 10-16 pounds of weight gain per year.
The bottom line is that both citrus fruits are good for you.
They're only a slightly better choice for those looking for a true detox. Limes are slightly higher in calcium and Vitamin A, but experts suggest the amounts aren't significant enough to choose limes over lemons.
Lemons contain citrate, which helps prevent calcium from building up and forming stones in your kidneys. Interestingly, the benefit doesn't seem to be present in oranges, making lemon a unique tool in kidney stone prevention.
Also, how much lemon water you drink daily is important. According to Bengaluru-based nutritionist Dr Anju Sood and consultant nutritionist Dr Rupali Datta, having the juice of 2 lemons per day is enough to keep you hydrated in the summers, and it is perfectly healthy to drink lemon water every day.