Consuming lemon water every morning is truly a cure-all, as it has many beneficial effects. And this doesn’t just mean the purifying properties that are always attributed to the drink. Many celebrities and wellness experts list the beverage as their go-to morning drink, and for good reason. The combination is said to clear up skin, stimulate weight loss and flush out toxins. But does it really do all of this? Here’s what nutritionists have to say.
Nutritionist Laura Parada, technical director of the Slow Life House center for aesthetic medicine, beauty and well-being, based in Madrid, recently spoke with Vogue, about the benefits of drinking lemon water every morning. This is what she had to say.
- “It helps kick-start the digestion process in the morning,” Parada explained. This means it also calms heartburn and bloating. Furthermore, lemon has the ability to stimulate the production of bile and gastric juices and can therefore prevent the formation of gas. However, this does not mean that it can be used as a solution for weight loss. It is not a “miracle” remedy, nor does it have a fat-burning effect.
- “It strengthens the immune system,” continues Parada, referring to the high vitamin C content of lemon juice. Substance that is also rich in vitamin B, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and enzymes.
- It’s good for the skin thanks to its high content of antioxidants, which “prevent the damage caused by free radicals,” says Parada.
- Lemon water hydrates the body. Drinking a significant part of the amount of water needed during the day on an empty stomach is an effective way to stimulate the metabolism and hydrate the body, especially after the night, when hydration is typically absent or minimal. Plus, adding lemon juice “gives the water a more pleasant taste, making it easier to drink,” notes Parada.
- “It improves intestinal transit and hydrates the colon,” explains Parada, which is why taking lemon water on an empty stomach can help fight constipation. Furthermore, lemon, which is rich in fiber, favors intestinal processes.
Parada notes the importance that the temperature of the water must be warm and not boiling, because “if the liquid has the same temperature as the body, it is absorbed much more rapidly, as there is no need for it to lose heat in order to be assimilated.”
“There are many pros to consuming lemon,” says Dr. Neha Pathania, dietician, Paras Hospital, Gurgaon. The juice is rich in Vitamin C, a strong antioxidant that helps strengthen our body’s immune system, and the fruit has pectin fibre, which helps controls food cravings, thus aiding weight management. “It also helps in the process of digestion, [promotes] fresh breath, and can prevent kidney stones,” she adds.
Lemon water is also good for the gut. Vitamin C strengthens the intestinal barrier by supporting the blood vessels and epithelial cells lining the gut. “It prevents pathogenic bacteria from infiltrating the gut and triggering inflammation. If the barrier function is compromised, it usually results in leaky gut syndrome, which is a key step in the initiation and development of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, it also has the ability to regenerate other important antioxidants such as Vitamin E and glutathione (both offer additional anti-inflammatory protection for the guy),” explains clinical dietitian Fatema Valikarimwala.
“Despite having an acidic pH prior to digestion, Vitamin C produces alkaline by-products once digested and metabolized by the body,” she adds. But having it on an empty stomach may not suit everyone, especially those who have weak digestive systems. “Some people can struggle with acidity after drinking lemon water, and in those cases it should be consumed in lesser quantities or after eating something,” suggests Pathania.
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