For some people it’s the first thing they do each morning – fix them self a tall glass of water containing lemon juice. For others, the only time they may drink it is when asked at a restaurant if they want a slice lemon in their water. 

Whether a person drinks water with lemon or not is a personal choice but does it have much merit in regards to our health?  Even though there is limited scientific evidence of lemon water’s impact on health, at the same time, drinking a glass of water with lemon just might be a good healthy habit after all.  Here’s why:

·      It may aid weight loss

For those wanting to shed a few pounds, lemon water may be able to help with this.  Not that it’s a magic panacea for weight loss, but thanks to compounds called polyphenols found in lemons, they may slow one’s appetite.  Studies on rodents do show that polyphenols in lemon may help prevent weight gain. Just the act of drinking a glass of water with lemon before a meal fills up the stomach helping to squelch hunger leading to a longer feeling of satiety.  Another trick is to drink a glass of lemon water instead of orange juice at breakfast – think of all the calories saved.  To make lemon water, use whole lemons (not lemon juice in a bottle), squeezing the juice from one lemon into 8 to 12 ounces of water.  Either cold or warm water can be used, but to promote weight loss drink it chilled with ice.

·      It’s a good source of vitamin C

Citrus fruits like lemons are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant helping protect cells from damaging free radicals.  Juice a half of a lemon into water and a person will get a mere 6 calories and more than a fourth of their daily vitamin C requirement. This same vitamin boosts the immune system reducing sickness.  Lemons also create an acidic environment in the stomach preventing pathogens from invading causing illness. 

·      It promotes hydration

Many people don’t drink enough water.  A daily lemon water habit is an easy way to start the day off right.  Plus, adding lemon to water enhances the taste, increasing its appeal for some to drink more water, improving hydration.  How will a person known if they are well-hydrated?  Their urine should be almost clear.

·      It improves skin quality

Vitamin C in lemons may help reduce skin wrinkling. A study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition found that people who consumed more vitamin C have less risk of wrinkled and dry skin.

Other studies have found the same results showing high intakes of vitamin C are associated with fewer wrinkles.  Vitamin C is very good to skin as it can fight off free-radical damage, protecting the skin and builds collagen helping make up the connective tissue under the skin keeping it firm.  In addition, the duo of combining vitamin C with water makes it a natural way to keep skin moisturized leading to a more youthful appearance.

·      It freshens breath

Who doesn’t like the fresh, clean smell of lemons?  This neutralizing odor may also help keep breath sweeter by drinking a glass of water with lemon after meals and first thing in the morning.  Lemons may also stimulate saliva while the water helps prevent a dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath caused by excess bacterial growth.

·      It can aid digestion

Drinking a daily glass of lemon water may do the trick working as a morning laxative to help prevent constipation.  Whether consumed warm or hot, a glass of lemon water first thing after waking can rev up the digestive system for the day.   Increased fluid intake promotes regular bowel movements plus if the pulp or zest from the lemon is also added to the water, this can add a little bit of fiber making its contribution to regularity.

·      It may prevent kidney stones

Kidney stones often develop as a result of dehydration.  If lemon water is one way to entice someone to consume more fluids, it could help flush out the kidneys reducing stones.  Lemons also contain citric acid which lends to creating an acidification of the watery environment preventing the formation of some stones.

In conclusion

One concern some people may have with drinking lemon water is will it hurt their teeth.  Theoretically, lemon acid can be detrimental to tooth enamel.  But by diluting lemon juice with water, that makes it much more unlikely to happen.  As long as a person doesn’t get in a habit of chewing on a lemon for an hour, they should be fine.