If you are looking for small things to add to your routine that can improve your overall health, then it’s time you knew the benefits of warm lemon water. Here you will find everything you need to know about warm lemon water benefits, things to be cautious of, and how to introduce this easy health ritual into your daily routine!
Whenever I plan out my morning routines, I love to find small actions that make a big difference. You never know when your time is going to be cut short and it’s nice to have a few things that you can do for days when you have to speed through your daily routine.
Drinking warm lemon water is one of my personal favourites because it is a small, comforting ritual that packs in a lot of health perks.
Today I will be sharing with you the top 5 benefits of warm lemon water that I have personally experienced as well as a few possible variations you can make to the traditional morning routine.
If you are unsure of whether or not you want to introduce this daily habit into your own life, all of your questions will be answered here!
Related: A Simple Morning Routine When You’re Not at Your Best
The Five Benefits of warm lemon water in the morning
Benefit #1: It rehydrates you and guarantees that you drink some water every day
If you are someone who struggles to drink enough water daily, then this reason alone should be able to convince you to drink warm lemon water. I have struggled in the past to get my daily intake of water consistently, and this habit was such a game-changer.
Drinking a warm glass of lemon water right away in the morning will not only help with immediate hydration but will put you in the right mindset to continue to drink water throughout the day.
And honestly, any amount of water is a step in the right direction. If for the rest of the day, you don’t drink anything, you can at least feel glad that you got that first cup of water in the morning.
Related: How to Drink More Water- Even When You Hate It
Benefit #2: It boosts your immune system
This magical drink is packed with vitamin C, which is particularly helpful when it comes to viral infections and sore throats. If you feel a cold coming on or if your throat is starting to feel a little scratchy, the vitamin C in the lemons is going to help you stop the virus in its tracks.
Personally, ever since I started drinking lemon water in the morning, I have not had a single sore throat develop when normally I get them on a monthly basis.
This is not a benefit you will notice on a day-to-day basis but over time you will start to see the benefits of drinking warm lemon water every day.
Related: Natural Ways to Survive Autumn When You are an Asthmatic
Benefit #3: It gets your digestive system flowing
Adding this ritual to your morning routine will help you keep your digestive system running smoothly. It serves as a sort of laxative to jump-start your digestive system and flush out toxins from the body. This, in turn, will help you out later in the day with digesting food.
Keep in mind that this particular benefit has not been fully proven one way or the other. You will find a lot of articles that say that drinking warm lemon water does not help the digestive system at all.
As a general rule of thumb, I like to take every piece of health news with a grain of salt. Instead of taking all health news as truth, I like to test things for myself and see how my body reacts. For me, the benefits of warm lemon water definitely include better digestion, but it might not be the case for you. It is up to you to try it yourself and see how your body reacts!
Related: How to Practice Mindful Eating and Actually Enjoy Your Food
Benefit #4: It relaxes you!
The water itself is the magic for this tip, so if you really don’t like lemon, you could get similar benefits just by drinking warm water alone. This drink helps to increase body temperature and relax abdominal muscles. It can also help with any cramping or muscle tightness you may feel, which can be especially prevalent upon waking.
Related: 7 Amazing Bath Routine Tips to Help you Unwind
Benefit #5: It decreases blemishes and wrinkles
Remember when I said that lemons are high in vitamin C? Well, another benefit to this vitamin is that it helps repair damaged skin cells, which help with acne and wrinkles. So if you are someone who likes to do a little extra for your skin, this is a great activity to add to your daily routine!
The benefits of warm lemon water are certainly convincing, but now you might be wondering about other factors. I’ll be answering some common questions to help you gauge if this popular drink is a good fit for you.
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How can I add this Habit to my Morning Routine?
Okay, so maybe this has convinced you to add this to your own morning routine, but how might it fit within a regular morning without adding a ton of time? The preparation for warm lemon water isn’t really that extensive (and you can see for yourself later on in this post), but what about the time it takes to drink it?
I have a suggestion that will really maximize your time and make this habit a good one for your body and for your mind.
Instead of going about your morning in a rush, I would suggest taking up morning pages to help you get everything that’s on your mind onto paper. It will help you feel more relaxed and ready for your day and your brain won’t feel so foggy. Make yourself warm lemon water and sip on it while you write out your thoughts. It is a powerful practice that will definitely have you feeling ready for the day!
If you want your own guide to morning pages, sign up below to get your own copy of a morning page template. It’s quick, it’s easy, and best of all, it’s free!
Is drinking warm lemon water good for you?
You will certainly get mixed answers to this question. There are some studies that argue that the benefits of warm lemon water are well worth the effort, but others believe there are better drinks out there, like green tea or plain water. However, I have yet to find a study that says it’s downright dangerous, so it would be best for you to try it out yourself for a few weeks and see if it has any positive effects on your body. Be a scientist of your own life and experiment!
What happens when you drink lemon water on an empty stomach?
Honestly, the changes aren’t super drastic if you choose to drink lemon water after eating, but it is recommended that you drink it on an empty stomach. All of the benefits previously mentioned are better when you drink this mixture in the morning before you eat anything. Drinking on an empty stomach is especially helpful in aiding your digestion later on.
What are the disadvantages of drinking warm lemon water?
Before trying this habit out for yourself, it is definitely important that you know any side effects that you need to be cautious of.
The first problem is that the acidity of the lemon can be hard on your teeth. To make sure your teeth don’t get enamel erosion, you have a few options:
- Drink your warm lemon water through a straw so it doesn’t touch the teeth
- Brush your teeth before your morning drink
- When you’re finished the lemon water, get a second glass with plain water to rinse out your mouth
It is also an option to do all of the above. Just make sure that you don’t brush your teeth right after drinking, as this will wear away your teeth. Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
Heartburn is the second risk. For some, this drink will actually help stop heartburn, but for others it creates it. You will simply have to test it out yourself to see how your body reacts.
Finally, lemon water is known to be a diuretic, so if you find yourself going to the bathroom more often than usual, don’t be alarmed- it’s perfectly normal!
What happens if you drink warm lemon water every morning?
You’ve already seen my top five benefits of drinking warm lemon water in the morning, but they are not the only ones. Here is a quick rundown of all of the benefits:
- Wakes up your digestive system
- Boosts your metabolism
- Improves your sight
- Improves any skin problems
- Gives you more energy
- Cleanses your liver
- Removes toxins from your body
- Helps bad breath
- Boosts your immune system
- Hydrates you
- Balances PH levels
- Gives you energy
Can I drink hot water with lemon at night?
I’m obviously a huge fan of drinking warm lemon water in the morning, but what about those of you who like the idea of drinking it at night? Is that still okay, or do the benefits go away?
Lemon water is most effective when you have it in the morning, but it won’t harm you if you drink it at night, either.
In fact, you receive some slightly different benefits from drinking it at night:
- Detoxes the body
- Helps with constipation
- Alleviates heartburn
- Reduces inflammation
Is it better to drink lemon water at night or morning?
Though both times offer unique benefits, you will find better results if you drink warm lemon water in the morning. Consider enjoying a soothing tea at night, instead, to aid your sleep and to reap more benefits.
How do I make warm lemon water without any supplies?
I don’t like to own a lot of kitchen items, but you definitely don’t need anything fancy to make this tasty drink.
First, grab one lemon and a knife. Cut about one-quarter of the lemon and, using your fingers, squeeze the lemon juice into a mug.
Once I’ve squeezed the juice out, I like to toss the lemon peel in the cup, as well, but you don’t have to do that if you’d like a little less flavour.
Second, boil some water in a pot and pour it into the cup with your lemon juice. Stir and enjoy!
Variations to warm lemon water
There are a few ways to enjoy this warm drink that still offer a lot of benefits. If you are not a fan of lemon or you want to load up your drink with more nutrients, here are some other great options:
- Add a slice of ginger for an added immune system boost
- Toss in a mint leaf for more energy
- Add honey to make your drink taste sweeter and to fight infections
- Add a sprinkle of turmeric for a multitude of benefits
Everything you choose to do in your day is going to affect your body somehow. This small and easy ritual can be added to your morning or your night to give your body extra care. If you are someone who struggles to make time for yourself, then the benefits of warm lemon water will go a long way for you! Try adding this simple thing to your daily routine and see what you think!
Amazing post! I love lemon water but I never tried it in the morning, I usually take it at night with some ginger, very helpful for digestion and the immune system. I’ll try it this time first in the morning, thank you for posting this!
I’m glad you liked it! Yes, lemon water is definitely a great option for any hour of the day, but its benefits are greatest when taken in the morning. 🙂
Lemon water is such a miracle drink, sometimes my body even tells me when I need it. Thanks for this amazing post
Yes, I totally get the same way! It becomes a craving if it’s been too long since I’ve had it!
I will need to start doing this each morning! I had no idea! Thanks for sharing, excellent information!
It definitely has a lot of benefits to offer! I would love to hear how it goes for you 🙂
A lot of great reasons to drink lemon water. I actually hate warm water but I keep a glass of water at my bedside so I can drink first thing when I wake up. I tend to feel very thirsty first thing in the morning. I read once that having a full 8 oz of water when you first wake up is great for the digestive system so that is kind of why I started. Occasionally I add lemon for taste but didn’t realize the added benefits.
Having water by your bedside to drink in the morning is definitely a great way to start the day right! I’d love to hear if you end up trying this habit with some lemon and how it works out for you 🙂
I use to take and it is really good.
I’m glad to hear that it works for you! I also find it very helpful but I know that it’s one of those things that you need to test yourself to see how your body reacts.
I never knew warm lemon water in the morning had so many benefits! I’m trying to get better about drinking enough water in general. I’ve been working on it since my go-to drink in the morning is coffee, haha!
Coffee definitely has its benefits, too! That’s great, though, that you’re trying to up your water intake 🙂
My parents put the kettle on before bed and fill a thermos which they leave in their room so they can have warm water first thing while they get ready! When I used to run trainings and would be talking all day, I would sip on warm lemon water throughout instead of slugging back coffee or tea — that was a lifesaver. I love the idea of adding a slice of ginger and having it first thing in the morning. I think for me it would feel super cleansing and energizing.
That is absolutely genius! I think I might start doing that myself 🙂
I like lemon infused water but I’m not a fan of drinking it warm. I would also be concerned that drinking it on a frequent basisi might damage my teeth.
That definitely is a valid concern. It’s recommended that you drink any acidic drinks through a straw and then rinse your mouth out with clean water after drinking it. I’ve been doing this for years and never had any problems with the dentist, but that doesn’t mean that it is a good idea for everyone. It is good for you to be thinking critically whenever it has to do with personal health!