As an avid drinker of water, I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued when I first heard of the concept of lemon water. I was introduced to this drink when I started practicing yoga, and it has since become a daily routine for me. At first, I only knew of two benefits of drinking lemon water, but as I delved deeper, I discovered many more.

Lemons are packed with nutrients that the body needs, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. They even contain more potassium than apples or grapes. With only 29 calories in 1/2 cup (100 grams) of raw, peeled lemon, it is a low-calorie yet nutritious addition to your daily routine.

Here, I will discuss ten benefits of drinking lemon water that I discovered, from reducing acne to giving you an energy boost.

1. Banishes Acne

Lemon water fights acne and other blemishes by cleansing the liver and kidney. The detoxification of the blood allows the liver to purify the blood more efficiently, which in turn improves your skin. The antioxidants in lemons, particularly vitamin C, also fight the development of acne. Drinking hot lemon water in the morning helps to eliminate toxins present in your system and can also be applied to scars and age spots to reduce their appearance.

2. Helps Aid Digestion

Lemon juice encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract. It also relieves symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping, and bloating. Drinking warm lemon water before eating helps prepare your body for the meal you are about to eat. It kick-starts the production of bile in your system, which is used to break down all of the things that you eat. As a natural diuretic, lemon water also helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly.

3. Helps You Lose Weight

Lemons contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings. While it won’t actually burn off any of your excess fat, it can help you replace the empty calories in soda or sweetened coffee with something that is much healthier. Drinking lemon water gives you a feeling of fullness, meaning you won’t have to eat as much to feel satisfied.

4. Reduces Inflammation

Drinking lemon water on a regular basis decreases the acidity in your body, which is where disease states occur. It removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation. If you have sore or achy knees and joints, starting the day off with a nice cup of warm lemon water might be just what the doctor ordered.

5. Freshens Your Breath

Lemon water has antimicrobial properties that relieve toothaches and gingivitis. The citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so it’s important to either hold off on brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water or to brush your teeth before drinking it. It helps to keep your mouth smelling great, and its acidic nature also kills the bacteria that cause bad breath.

6. Boosts Your Heart Health

Lemons are rich in potassium, which has been shown to lower blood pressure levels, a major risk factor for heart attacks. Also, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to protect the heart muscles from inflammation and other forms of stress.

7. Prevents Allergies

Thanks to the vitamin C and antioxidants in lemons, lemon water boosts your immune system and equips your body to fight off allergy attacks. It’s an excellent remedy against the sniffles caused by excessive pollen in the air.

8. Revitalizes Your Eyes

Lemon juice contains numerous antioxidants and nutrients that fight off common eye-related maladies such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Though drinking lemon water alone won’t cure any eye problems, it serves as a preventative measure against further damage.

9. Serves as a Natural Antacid

As a citrus fruit, it may be surprising to learn that lemons reduce the amount of acid in your system. But it does replace acid with alkaline, thus tackling acid problems at the source instead of just addressing the symptoms.

10. Gives you an Energy Boost

Lemon juice provides your body with energy when it enters your digestive tract. It’s also known to reduce anxiety and depression. Even the scent of lemons can have a calming effect on your nervous system!

To reap the benefits of drinking lemon water, it’s important to properly dilute it with water and drink it through a straw. You should also drink it at room temperature to prevent enamel damage to your teeth. Here are some recipes you can try with simple ingredients at home:

1. Cucumber Lemon Water

Simply cut up a cucumber and half a lemon into thin slices. Add them to a pitcher of water and mash them up. Then, let them infuse into the water for an hour before enjoying it.

2. Honey Lemon Water

Add the juice from half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water, stir it together, and drink it.

3. Ginger, Turmeric, and Lemon Water

Mix four thin slices of fresh ginger root, the juice of one lemon, a teaspoon of ground turmeric, and eight cups of water together.

In conclusion, incorporating lemon water into your daily routine can have a significant impact on your health by improving your digestion, reducing inflammation, and providing your body with nutrients it needs to thrive. Give it a try and see how it can benefit you!