10 Results of Drinking Lemon Water Every Morning

The use of lemons as a health-booster has been around for centuries, and lemons are well known for their antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting properties. If you fancy giving the lemon water challenge a go, here’s 10 reasons to start drinking warm lemon water in the morning before you eat anything.

1. Lemon Aids Digestion

Lemon juice flushes out toxins from the body, and it encourages the liver to produce bile, which is needed for digestion. Lemons are also full of minerals and vitamins, which help relieve indigestion symptoms such as heartburn, bloating and belching. The American Cancer Society also recommends that cancer sufferers drink warm lemon water to help stimulate bowel movements.

2. It’s a Diuretic

Lemons increase the rate of urination, which means that toxins are removed at a faster rate. The citric acid in lemons also helps maximize enzyme functioning, which helps the liver with detoxification. Some who drink lemon water find that they are much less bloated.

3. Clears Skin

The vitamin C in lemons helps to combat free radical damage to the skin, and can help clear up acne breakouts and excess oils. Some people also find that their skin is softer to the touch and appears brighter.

4. Can Help Combat Bad Breath

Some people find that the lemon water can help fight bad breath in the mornings. The citric acid in the fruit helps to break down the bacteria that cause halitosis. Be aware, thought, that citric acid can erode tooth enamel.

5. Can Help Reduce Caffeine Intake

Some who drink lemon water in the morning find that they don’t crave coffee first thing anymore. There’s no scientific explanation for this yet.

6. Relieves Respiratory Problems

Warm lemon water can help get rid of chest infections and coughs. It is thought to help with asthma and allergies too.

7. May Aid Weight Loss

This claim should be approached with caution, as there is a lack of scientific research on this subject. There have been animal trials using lemon as a weight loss aid which have been successful, but there needs to be more research done using human subjects.

Pectin and polyphenols are the substances in lemons that have been linked with weight loss and appetite suppressing. Pectin gives a feeling of fullness that may reduce calorie intake.

8. Lemons can Help Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are solid mineral formations that collect in the kidneys. The most common type is made of a substance called calcium oxalate, and it’s treated with a compound called citrate. Increasing the amount of citrate in your urine by drinking lemon water is thought to help prevent kidney stones forming in the first place.

Although lemon water is generally safe to drink, there are a couple of reasons why it might not be the best thing for you if you suffer from either of these conditions:

9. Lemons can Worsen Canker Sores

If you have these shallow sores inside your mouth at the base of the gums, lemon juice can make it worse. The citric acid in lemons or other citrus fruits can worsen these painful sores, so avoid if you suffer from this issue.

10. Lemons can Trigger Migraine in Sufferers

Though there isn’t a lot of research into this, certain experts believe that citrus can trigger migraines in those who suffer from them.