Growing up, I was always told by my mom that adding a slice of fresh lemon to your tea is supposed to give your immune system a boost. She also advised that sprinkling fresh lemon juice over your salad makes the veggies taste better and gives you a load of vitamins, too. Moreover, for the past couple of years, she’s been drinking warm lemon water every morning, and she has been trying to convince me to start doing the same.
Are there really health benefits of lemon water?
Why would I want to replace my hot morning coffee with warm acidic water? Well, I did some proper research, and it looks like there’s actually something to it! It appears that starting your morning with a glass of warm lemon water might be way more beneficial than I thought.
Well done, mum! You win this round — check below to learn about all the warm lemon water benefits I learned about over the span of a week.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Warm Lemon Water In The Morning?
Although the internet is full of people claiming that warm lemon water does miracles — like balancing your pH levels or promoting healing — this isn’t quite true. The vitamins and acids found in lemons are capable of doing those things, but you’d need a much larger quantity to really see a difference.
I will give you a rough summary on the actual benefits that drinking a glass of warm lemon water in the morning can provide, but you can find more detailed information in this article right here.
1. A Small Immune System Boost
Lemons contain vitamin C, which is good for your immune system, and mornings are a time when your body absorbs everything best. Therefore, drinking warm lemon water at the beginning of the day will give your immune system a gentle boost. According to the Mayo Clinic, this concoction is a great, non-abrasive way to feel better when you’re sick.
2. A Slightly Healthier Stomach
Since your liver works super hard when you sleep, it’s very important to have a lemon water detox as soon as you wake up to help it out and hydrate your body. If you also add some lemon to that water, it will encourage proper stomach acid and bile production.
3. A Gentle Digestive Kick
It is proven that warm lemon water in the morning can kick-start your digestive system. That means that any food that comes after the lemony drink will be digested easier, and the nutrients from it will be taken in better. The properties in lemons also aid gut health, according to the National Library of Medicine.
4. Slightly Increased Metabolic Rate
Since lemon water will kick-start your digestive system, the metabolic rate will automatically increase, too. In a small way, a faster metabolism helps to keep the weight off, so people use lemon water for weight loss — The CDC recommends drinking it in place of sweetened drinks if you want to lose weight.
5. Healthier Skin
All of the benefits mentioned above can lead to healthier skin. The vitamin C found in lemons also slightly stimulates collagen production and can improve the look and feel of your skin in the long run.
6. It’s A Soothing Start To The Day
The warmth of the water eases your insides as the lemon works its magic — proven to make you more relaxed. Using cold water can shock your body in the morning and do more harm than good. Warm water also makes the lemon taste better.
What I Hope The Lemon Water Does For Me
As is visible in the picture, I get a lot of these little spots on my upper arms. They are likely a result of some sort of food intolerance, but I am not aware of what it is.
With the summer weather now in full force, I really hope that drinking warm lemon water in the mornings will clear these spots up and leave my skin feeling healthy and clear.
How Do You Make Warm Lemon Water?
Making lemon water is as simple as it sounds. Here’s all you need:
- half a lemon
- room temperature filtered water
- a splash of boiling water (optional)
- a mug
Step 1: Squeeze The Lemon Juice Into A Mug
You can use a lemon squeezer or just your hands. Remove any seeds that fall into the mug.
Step 2: Fill Most Of The Mug With Filtered Water
Add a splash of boiling water, if you want. Again, cold water can shock your system!
Step 3: Drink The Sour Concoction Like A Pro
One cup every morning on an empty stomach is supposed to benefit your body greatly, so let’s see what this does for me!
Drinking Warm Lemon Water: Day 1
On the first day of my experiment, I used a rather small mug for a large piece of lemon. I also decided to make the drink with room temperature water, as it was a hot morning and all of my research said it can work just as well when it’s lukewarm-to-warm water.
The drink came out much more sour than I expected and woke me right up! I’m not sure how this much acid is good for an empty stomach, though. I didn’t really feel any immediate effects, aside from feeling a little queasy.
Drinking Warm Lemon Water: Day 2
Today I decided to go for a bigger cup in hopes of making the drink less sour. According to my research, the amount of water doesn’t really matter as long as you use at least half a lemon.
It worked! The drink was less sour, but still didn’t taste very nice. This time I sipped it as I got my breakfast ready, instead of just downing it.
Drinking Warm Lemon Water: Day 3
Today I made the drink with warm water instead of room temperature water. Surprisingly, this made the drink taste much better. And it still had that “instant wake-up” effect on my body! From now on, I am going to stick to only drinking it warm.
Drinking Warm Lemon Water: Day 4
I have to say, I’m starting to get used to the taste of warm lemon water in the morning. It wakes me up pretty instantly. Could this be a replacement for coffee?
Apart from that, no other effects.
Drinking Warm Lemon Water: Day 5
Last night I went out to a Chinese restaurant, where I gorged on all kinds of delicious, but greasy, foods. Due to this greediness, I woke up today feeling really stuffed and bloated.
Having a glass of warm lemon water kick-started my stomach instantly. I was soon feeling much better. It’s safe to say this was one morning in which the effects of this magical beverage were very evident!
Drinking Warm Lemon Water: Day 6
Waking up and having my warm lemon water is starting to feel like a great addition to my mornings. I am feeling the effects on my digestive system, and it still wakes my body up as soon as I finish the glass.
I am seriously considering replacing coffee with warm lemon water. OK, this is just wishful thinking — because how would I really survive without my morning coffee?
Drinking Warm Lemon Water: Day 7
This morning I automatically started making my warm lemon water instead of beginning with a coffee (as I usually do). This is a sign of a daily habit in the making!
The warm lemon water doesn’t taste so sour anymore, as I think my body expects it to be the first thing it tastes now. And just like day one, it wakes me right up and gets my stomach working for the breakfast. I’m starting to really like this new start to my day!
Are The Benefits Of Drinking Warm Lemon Water Real?
After drinking warm lemon water for one week, I can say that some of the effects are definitely real.
Sadly, my skin has not cleared up yet — but I’m not giving up hope. I’ve read that this may take some more time.
However, the internal effects were definitely noticeable from the first day. My digestion has improved and my energy levels are higher. Drinking lemon water daily is one of the quickest and most effective natural ways to wake up!
I am really trying not to break this habit, because I am definitely enjoying the changes it’s made for my body. I can only imagine what kind of long-term improvements can come of it.
Kudos to my mum, a wise lady who tried to teach me about it for ages now. I guess mothers do know best, right?
If you try drinking warm lemon water in the mornings, too (and you totally should), make sure to SHARE this article with your friends!
It certainly doesn't seem like there are any disadvantages to drinking lemon water.
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
