I Drink Lemon Water Every Morning and Noticed These 3 Benefits in My Body

Drinking lemon water is the first thing I do every morning. I’ve done it for as long as I can remember. For what? It keeps me hydrated, aids digestion, and boosts my immune system — and it might even make my skin glow.

I love water, but lemon makes things more fun. Starting each morning with lemon water helps hydrate me after sleep and prepares me for my morning workout. This also knocks several cups of water out of my daily hydration goal of at least ten.

I always appreciate simple digestive aids that don’t require supplements. Lemons are one answer. For example:

• A very small study found that the acid in lemons increases gastric emptying (how quickly the stomach digests food).
• Another study found that taking vitamin C supplements improves “good” gut bacteria called Bifidobacteriawhich also helps fight infection.

Citrus fruits like lemons are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants.

• Phenolic compounds are antioxidants that support healthy levels of blood pressure, circulation, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“healthy cholesterol”). All of this reduces your risk of heart disease.
• Vitamin C contributes to tissue repair and growth. It is an important component of collagen, a key protein in skin, joints and bones that loses its strength with age.

So, what exactly should I do? (Hint: It’s very simple.)

1. Hot water: I fill a 24 ounce mason jar with water and put it in the microwave for about 45 seconds.
2. Add the lemon: I add half a lemon per 24 ounces of water.
3. Drink slowly: It’s the first thing I consume every day, before tea/coffee or breakfast.

I continue this trend when I travel as much as possible, because how hard is it to bring or buy a lemon? This is especially helpful after going to bed later than usual.

Lemon water in the morning is simply what I do now: it’s an ingrained habit. It reminds me that health doesn’t have to be overly complicated, time-consuming, or expensive. It also reminds me that the smallest habit can make a difference.

Lemon water has some caveats due to its acidic nature.

1. Dental erosion: Highly acidic foods can contribute to dental erosion – loss of tooth enamel, the protective outer layer.
2. Acid reflux: Eating citrus fruits regularly (such as daily) can contribute to acid reflux, when acid from your stomach boils up into your esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn.

My advice: wait about an hour before brushing your teeth. This allows your saliva to wash away the acid and protect tooth enamel.

The American Dental Association (ADA) also recommends rinsing your mouth with water or eating dairy products after highly acidic meals or drinks and using a straw for acidic drinks, which I’m going to start doing.

Side note: I often do oil pulling, which is basically swishing coconut oil around in my mouth for several minutes and spitting it out. Many people think there are benefits to this, but the ADA points to the lack of research. That said, my dental hygienist recently made a comment about the whiteness of my teeth and told me that I have virtually no plaque. So, I’m still a believer.