Update 12/18/2020: The previous claim about lemon water having an effect on blood pH was incorrect and has been removed. No known food or drink has an effect on the body’s pH levels.
It’s possible that you’ve been a semi-regular drinker of lemon water, most of your life. In restaurants, lemon water is pretty much a staple. But what you may not know is that every time you take a mouthful of lemon water, you’re doing your body a huge favor! Below, here are 31 underappreciated benefits of lemon water.
1. Potassium
Lemons contain more potassium in them than other fruits like apples or grapes! (1)
2. Colds, Sore Throats, And Infections, Oh My!
Lemon water is great for supporting the body as it is fighting colds and respiratory infections, including swollen throats and tonsils. This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties. (2)
3. Vitamins
Lemons are rich in vitamins like vitamin C and b-complex vitamins. (1)
4. Antioxidants
Lemon peels have a lot of antioxidants, so grate a little into your water as well. (3)
5. Cleansing Power
Lemon water produces liver enzymes, stimulating the liver and aiding detoxification. (4)
6. Strong Bones
Lemons have a lot more calcium than you might expect, with 26mg/100g. (1)
7. Hydration
Of course, any sort of water is great for keeping yourself hydrated. But, lemons also have electrolytes that help keep you hydrated. Additionally, if the taste of lemon can induce you to drink more water, that’s a bonus! (2)
8. Iron
Lemon is a fruit with a surprising amount of iron, keeping you healthy. (1)
9. Energy Ions
Lemons have more negative ions in them than positive ions. This is a rare trait in food, and means once you digest them, you’ll get a boost of energy! (4)
10. Bloating
The more you drink, the more you pee. Lemon water increases urine, which prevents bloating! (2)
11. Digestion
Not only do lemons promote good digestion by detaching toxins from the digestive tract, they also fight indigestion. Lemons can ease symptoms such as bloating and heartburn. (1)
12. The Reboot Button
If your thinking is foggy, the smell of lemons can actually clear your mind, and reset your mental processing. (4)
13. Bad Breath
Lemons can fight bad breath! Just add your lemon juice to a glass of warm water. (1)
14. Toothache
Lemon water can also ease the pains of sore teeth. Just be careful–lemon water can be rough on tooth enamel, so brush your teeth before drinking and dilute it. (1)
15. Constipation
If you find yourself a little backed up, warm lemon water can flush you out. (3)
16. Clear Skin
The antioxidants in lemon help reduce wrinkles!
Bonus tip: apply it directly to scars, blemishes, and other unsightly facial problems to help reduce their appearance! (1)
17. Calm
The scent of lemons has a soothing effect on the nervous system, and can help with symptoms of anxiety and depression! (1)
18. Mood Booster
The potassium in lemons leads to better transmission of the electrical impulses in the brain. That means your brain is better able to fight mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and others. (4)
19. Fight Mindless Snacking
Lemons have pectin fiber, which dulls hunger pangs, and can help you lose weight! (1)
20. Stop Stones
If you drink lemon water regularly, it can stop the formation of kidney stones, which are so painful. (3)
21. Curb A Craving
Because lemons are bitter, they can counteract a desire for sweet foods. (3)
22. Rash Reduction
Those same properties which make lemons so good for your skin can also reduce rashes and other skin inflammation. (2)
23. Sugar Control
Drinking lemon water can help blunt your blood sugar responses. (3)
24. Raise Immune Responses
We’ve mentioned all the good things in lemons, so it’s no surprise all the vitamins in lemons can boost your immune system. (1)
25. Combat Stress
When you’re stressed, your vitamin C levels decrease. So, by drinking lemon water, you can fight back against stress and get your body right! (4)
26. Headache-Buster
When you’re dehydrated, you get headaches, so making sure to take lemon water regularly can prevent headaches from happening! (3)
27. Metabolism Kick-Start
Because of the digestive properties of lemon, drinking lemon water before you eat will act as a metabolism booster. (2)
28. Stop Joint Pain
Lemons remove the uric acid that causes joint pain. (1)
29. Beverage Substitution
Lemon water is exceedingly low-fat and has virtually zero calories, which makes it much better than pops or fruit juices to drink! (1, 4)
30. “Healthy Begets Healthy”
According to dietician Lauren Slayton, “healthy begets healthy and [drinking lemon water] can pave the way for other positive changes.” (3)
