Why should you start your day with a glass of lemon water?

Even the smallest changes in your habits can have a big impact on your health. For example, start your day with lemon water.

According tofine ClinicWe all know the benefits of drinking water (and drinking plenty of it) throughout the day. In the morning, you need even more water. After sleeping, your body is dehydrated, so a glass of cool water is a great way to start the day.

But does drinking lemon water every day offer any other health benefits?

Is lemon water good for you?

Yes, lemon water definitely has its benefits. It's a great way to add vitamin C and antioxidants to your daily diet. And lemon water provides a natural flavor to your drink, instead of relying on sugar or artificial flavorings.

Lemon water is low in calories and rich in vitamins and nutrients. One glass of lemon water, with 48 grams of juice (squeezed from one whole lemon), contains 11 calories and 18.6mg of vitamin C (21% of the daily value).

However, a minor risk of constantly drinking lemon water is damage to tooth enamel. This is due to the high concentration of citric acid in lemons. Therefore, for safety, drink lemon water through a straw to protect your teeth.

While starting the day with lemon water is a healthy habit, it's not a panacea.

You may have heard of a method called lemon water cleanse, which involves drinking a mixture of lemon and ginger to lose weight.

This unhealthy diet consists solely of drinking a lemon juice mixture for one to three weeks without eating any solid food. This is not recommended and is not a suggested method for weight loss.

According to Dr. Phung Tuan Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Institute for Research and Development of Traditional Medicine, lemons are safe and pose the least risk to humans. A small number of cases involve allergies to lemons or citrus fruits, which may cause rashes, swelling, redness, asthma, and other food allergy symptoms.

Drink 1-2 glasses of lemon water daily. Although rich in nutrients, it also contains a high amount of citric acid. This means that overuse can erode our tooth enamel and cause tooth sensitivity.

Drinking lemon water is an easy way to increase your intake of water, antioxidants, and vitamin C. Lemon water can help support heart, skin, and digestive health, aid weight loss, fight oxidative stress, and boost immunity.

Why should you drink it in the morning?

You can drink lemon water anytime, but many people prefer it in the morning. It's a great way to hydrate your body as soon as you wake up. Plus, lemons help boost your vitamin C intake before you start your day.

Health benefits of lemon water

Besides providing you with a simple morning routine, drinking lemon water can also:

Supports digestion

Acids help break down food, which is why there's so much acid in our stomachs. The acid in lemons can be especially helpful in replenishing stomach acid levels, which tend to decrease as we age.

Helps you stay hydrated.

Most of us don't drink enough water. Making lemon water a daily habit is an easy way to start the day off right. One sign that you're drinking enough water is that your urine is almost clear.

Preventing kidney stones

Making it a habit to drink lemon water can also help your kidneys. Specifically, the citric acid in lemons prevents the formation of kidney stones and can actually break up smaller stones before they begin to form.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, mixing 100ml of lemon juice with water is an excellent remedy to help prevent kidney stones. It's important to note that you shouldn't rely solely on lemon juice for this purpose; ensure you are taking any other remedies recommended by your doctor.

Weight loss friendly

Sure, you can get your vitamin C from a glass of orange juice in the morning, but replacing it with lemon water is a good alternative if you're trying to lose weight. This way, you're just drinking the basics—lemon and water—without any sugar, extra calories, or additives.

Boost your antioxidant intake.

Citrus fruits like lemons are particularly known for their high vitamin C content. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant that helps protect the body from disease. Similar to how you might rely on a warm cup of lemon tea when you're sick, a daily glass of lemon water can help protect your body from illness in the first place.

How to make lemonade

What you need for a glass of lemon water includes one lemon and some water. You should use warm or room-temperature water as this helps extract the vitamin C.

Here's how to make lemonade in the morning:

- To use fresh lemons, take half a lemon and squeeze the juice into 230ml of water.

- Ensure the water is warm or at room temperature.

If it's too sour, add other natural flavors if you want to balance it out. Try adding things like mint, ginger, or turmeric, or use 350ml of water instead of 230ml to balance the lemon flavor. Avoid any sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Additionally, try adding a little honey to enhance the flavor of the lemonade. Lemons are also used in salad dressings, dipping sauces, and many dessert recipes.