Curious to know about the health benefits of lemon water. Well, what is lemon water? Simple, it is lemon juice mixed with water. Though you can have various variations in it. The land where I belong to, a different type of drink, called the nimbu paani or shikanji is more common and widely loved by the people than the basic lemon water.

By the way, nimbu paani technically means lemon water itself. But its made differently, consisting of lemon, water, salt, rock salt, black pepper and sugar which is optional. If sugar is not considered, it is as healthy as the basic lemon water.

So should you drink lemon water?

Lemon is a citrus fruit which is very popular and widely used in various food and drinks around the world. It is packed with nutrients, the most important of them being vitamin C and antioxidants called bioflavonoids which are believed to be responsible for the various health benefits of lemon.

Some of these health benefits include reviving and improving the immune system(the most important benefit); treatment of scurvy, flu and kidney stones; protection against several health problems and skin wrinkling; and many other benefits you that will learn about.

A good amount of vitamin C adds up to the overall health of the body. It is being since a long time for its medicinal values. Apart from this, lemon is also a great cleaning agent.

So if lemon itself is considered healthy and beneficial, then lemon water has to beneficial as well. Yes, it is. Though little scientific research has been done on the benefits of lemon water and these benefits may not necessarily be true or reliable. More evidence is needed to determine the effectiveness of lemon water for these uses. I am just being honest. There is no harm in testing and trying it out for yourself. Who knows it might prove effective for you.

So have a look at the health benefits of the simple and cheap drink called lemon water.

1. Hydrates Your Body

It is the most basic benefit of drinking lemon water. As lemon water largely consists of water, it hydrates the body. Many people don’t drink enough water and thus remain dehydrated. Water is very important for your well being. A glass of lemon water adds up to the total water in the body, reducing dehydration.

If you don’t drink water because of your dislikeness for its taste (though it is tasteless), try lemon water which enhances its flavor.

2. It Improves Your Skin

Lemon is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is proven to be beneficial for the skin. It reduces wrinkling of the skin, early aging and harmful effects of the sun on the skin. The powerful antioxidants of lemon can fight skin damage due to foreign sources. Collagen which is formed because vitamin C plays an important role in elasticity and regeneration of the skin.

Even water is required by the skin. Water hydrates the skin, eliminating the toxins and keeping the skin clear and radiant.

3. Lemon Water Aids Digestion

Drinking warm lemon water early in the morning improves the flow of the digestive system. It helps in the proper bowel movement, preventing constipation. It helps in flushing out the toxins from your body by stimulating the enzyme functions.

It also suppresses inflammation.

4. Fresh Breath

Lemon has a pleasing smell and it eliminates many other foul smells and odors. You must have heard about dishwashing agents containing lemon to make the utensils smell better. I know the example is bad but try to understand what I am saying.

Lemon can be used for eliminating bad breath caused due to smelly food such as onion and garlic. It can help you eliminate even the general bad breath problem which is not a result of eating any smelly food.

Drinking a glass of lemon water as one of the first things in the morning and after every meal. Water stimulates the saliva and washes up the bacteria causing bad breath in the mouth. Lemon does the work of replacing it with a pleasant smell.

5. It Is Effective Against Kidney Stones

The citric acid of lemons comes handy here as it may help in preventing the kidney stones. It reduces the acidity of the urine. You must be wondering how can an acid itself reduce the acidity. It does and may even break up small stones. In this way, it treats the small stones and the water helps in flushing them out.

The more the hydration, the lesser are the chances of kidney stones because water helps in the better movement of things. These stones originate when minerals in the body form clusters. Substances in lemon help in avoiding the formation of these clusters.

6. It Aids In Weight Loss

Lemon water fills up your stomach suppressing your cravings making you eat fewer calories. It also hydrates your body which is essential for the elimination of toxins and proper digestion necessary for paving your way towards weight loss. Lemon itself contains very minimal calories which do affect your body. 

The antioxidants found in lemon are believed to suppress body weight and fat gain. So it’s a fruit that helps in weight loss.

But it should be noted that this experiment was done on mice and not humans, so there is no evidence that it will work for humans. Though it is mentioned in ayurvedic books that drinking warm lemon water as the first thing in the day aids in weight loss and staying slim as it boosts up the body metabolism and digestion and assists in eliminating toxic substances and waste from the body; improving the overall functioning of the body.

7. Improves the immune system

Vitamin C and certain antioxidants found in lemon boost up the immune system which is necessary for the body to fight foreign agents which cause various diseases. It protects the body against various immune system deficiencies.

If you ever experience dizziness, drink lemon water, which will instantly boost up energy and revive your immune system making you feel better.

Lemon water also helps in reducing anxiety.

8. Freshens You Up

Talking about myself, drinking lemon water freshens and rejuvenates me up. It boosts up the body functions. Whenever I am mentally tired, lemon water makes me feel better and leads to better brain functioning.

Well, I don’t know if this really happens, or is just a psychological effect. Whatever it might be, it works for me. Give it a try and let me know the effect it has on you.

For this, I drink it in the form of lemon detox water, which is unfiltered lemon water.

9. Lowers Blood Pressure

Lemon can lower blood pressure. Squeeze some lemon in a glass of water and drink it twice a day. It can help in the relaxation of blood vessels which ultimately decreases the blood pressure. If you are on medication for blood pressure, don’t practice this simultaneously. Consult your doctor before making any change.

Lemon is beneficial for the cardiovascular system as well.

10. The Antioxidants Boost

Lemon is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, polyphenols, and others. These antioxidants fight the free radicals which damage your cells.

Caution: Lemon contains citric acid which can erode tooth enamel when consumed regularly for a long period of time. Drinking it with a straw to minimize the liquid’s contact with teeth can limit the risk. When done, rinse your mouth with water.

How to make it?

Squeeze the juice of 1-2 lemons in around 8 ounces (1 glass) of warm, or cold water according to your requirement. You can add honey to improve the taste by making it little sweet. Honey contains antioxidants beneficial for you.

Keep in mind that honey too contains calories so try to limit it. If you want to experiment more, add ginger, mint, pepper, and even slices of some other fruits. Mix it and drink preferably with a straw. The best time to drink lemon water is empty stomach in the morning.

Anything in excess is harmful, you need to keep that in mind. Overall, lemon water is very healthy for your body.