If you follow health and wellness trends at all, you’ve likely heard claims that drinking lemon water can provide a host of health benefits and even aid in weight loss. Generally speaking, drinking water is important for maintaining optimal hydration, which is important for overall health. However, some claims out there about drinking lemon water may not be completely accurate or realistic.
Here, a registered dietitian breaks it all down.
Health benefits of lemon water
According to New Jersey-based dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies, one of the biggest benefits lemon water may offer is aiding in digestion.
“The flavonoids found in lemons aid the acid in the stomach in breaking down food, which may improve overall digestion, which is especially helpful to older adults who may experience a decline in stomach age as they age,” she explains.
Not only that, but just ¼ of a cup of lemon juice provides about 30% of your daily vitamin C needs, an antioxidant that supports the immune system, Palinski-Wade adds.
“Drinking lemon water won’t provide an abundance of vitamin C in one glass, but the benefits can add up over the course of a day,” she says.
Benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning
As with most things, lemon water isn’t some magic elixir that will change your life if consumed at a certain time of day. However, “drinking water in the morning can help to rehydrate after a long night of sleep which may energize the body and kick start your metabolism,” Palinski-Wade says. “The addition of lemon may help give your taste buds and senses a jolt, which can further boost energy and alertness.”
Being sufficiently hydrated is always a good thing, so it certainly can’t hurt to start your day with a glass of water, much less with a boost of flavor from some added lemon.
Benefits of lemon water for skin
In addition to its obvious hydration benefits, drinking water has long been touted as a gateway to clear, glowing skin. That claim really isn’t too far off, and lemon water can provide an additional bonus, Palinski-Wade says.
“Boosting hydration from water intake (with or without lemon) can benefit the skin and help to keep it moisturized,” she says. “The addition of the vitamin C from the lemon can help play a role in the production of collagen in the skin, which can boost skin elasticity.”
What happens if I drink lemon water every day?
It’s a no-brainer that you should be drinking water, period, every single day. If you prefer the flavor lemon adds to it, by all means, make it a part of your routine. In addition to tasting more desirable, you’ll only reap the benefits lemons add even more.
“Daily intake of lemon water may help to boost hydration which can help promote steady energy, appetite regulation, and skin health,” Palinski-Wade says. “Adding lemon water may also offer slight immune system benefits from the additional vitamin C.”
How much lemon water can I drink in a day?
You’ve likely heard the age-old recommendation that everyone needs to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Turns out that hydration needs can vary by individual, though, and while it’s common to become dehydrated when you don’t drink enough, it’s also possible to have too much.
“Your fluid needs vary based on age, activity level, and even climate, and there is no one set recommendation,” Palinski-Wade explains. “Keep in mind both dehydration and overhydration can have dangerous health effects. Don’t overdo it — if you enjoy lemon in your water, add it to a few glasses per day.”
Can drinking lemon water help you lose weight?
Once again, drinking lemon water won’t be a quick-fix solution for weight loss without sustainable changes to your diet, exercise habits, and overall lifestyle. However, it can be helpful if it’s swapped in for a sugary, high-calorie soda or alcoholic beverage, and is obviously a much healthier choice, too.
“The polyphenols in lemon may aid in reducing appetite, although the amount contained in lemon water is minimal, so it may not offer much impact,” Palinski-Wade adds. “However, when you drink a glass of water, especially before a meal, this helps to fill your stomach, offsetting the amount of food needed to feel satisfied.”
Does lemon water burn belly fat?
Just like with general weight loss, lemon water unsurprisingly isn’t a magic tool for burning belly fat.
“By itself, it is unlikely that lemon water would help to burn belly fat, [though] consuming vitamin C in the diet may help to reduce stress hormone levels, which can cause the body to accumulate belly fat,” Palinski-Wade says. “Keep in mind though, the vitamin C found in lemon water is minimal and unlikely to have a great impact.”
