Drink Lemon Water in the Morning

Image by Lauren Conrad

Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning is one of the most simple, yet profound health habits to cultivate. Personally, I was astonished to discover the cornucopia of health benefits locked inside the peel of the humble lemon–I never knew! For starters, the instant energy boost helped me to kick the coffee habit. Big kudos there! Other juicy surprises included: a more alkaline pH, brighter skin, better digestion, and a guaranteed morning visit to the loo!

Health Benefits of Lemon Water

• Promotes hydration
• Natural energy boost
• Promotes an alkaline pH
• Promotes Elimination
• Aids digestion
• Boosts immune system
• Boosts hydrochloric acid production
• Natural diuretic
• Antibacterial properties
• Aids with gastric upsets such as heartburn and indigestion
• Purifies the blood
• Promotes healthy liver enzyme levels
• Promotes circulation in the liver
• Helps dissolve uric acid in the joints
• Acts as a natural solvent for calcium deposits, kidney stones, pancreatic stones, and gallstones
• The vitamin C nourishes and rejuvenates your skin from the inside, bringing you a healthy glow

Energy Boost & Hydration

Citric acid in lemon is highly electrically active, and pure water acts as a conductor to deliver electrolytes directly to your cells. It’s liken to a liquid sunshine burst that boosts cell energy and nourishes your adrenals for a clean energy output that sustains you throughout your day. This is why lemon water is so effective with helping people kick the coffee habit. Coffee is dehydrating and stresses your adrenals. Although you’re temporarily energized, this kind of dirty energy is actually very draining and depletes your body’s energy reserves.

Balanced pH

True health warriors understand the importance of keeping their pH balanced. When your inner terrain is acidic, let’s say from eating a typical western diet comprised of meat, dairy, processed carbs, bad fats, lots of coffee, and lots of alcohol (all of which are acidic), it’s hard to maintain good health. Symptoms of “acidosis” can range anywhere from achy joints, stiffness, insomnia, and depression to chronic disorders and major disease. Eeek!

Lemon is jam-packed with alkalizing minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Drinking lemon water daily boosts your alkalinity, and overtime can begin to reverse symptoms of acidity (provided that you’re cutting back/eliminating acidic foods and beverages). Don’t underestimate this powerful tip!

A Nice Healthy Poop in the Morning

The bitterness of the lemon increases bile (a natural laxative) and stimulates the gastrocolic reflex (peristalsis) which causes a bowel movement. This is not the same type of bowel movement however, that a morning cup of coffee induces.  The coffee poop is caused by the liver trying to remove the acid compounds that shock the system so early in the morning. If you rely on your morning cup of coffee to get your pooper moving, I recommend you try lemon water. You will be very surprised!

Improved Digestion

Lemon water does wonders for the digestive tract. It normalizes hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and helps to produce bile in the liver. Hydrochloric acid and bile are both very important for digestion and assimilation of nutrients. If you have digestive issues, definitely start your day with lemon water, and drink warm lemon water after meals. You will see gas, bloating, and other digestive issues minimize or disappear.

Cleanses Your Tissues of Acid & Mineral Deposits

Citric acid in lemon is like a water softener for the body. It can dissolve harmful mineral deposits and uric acid that damage your organs, tissues and joints. If you eat a lot of meat and/or dairy, have had kidney or gallbladder stones, gout, arthritis, or any kind of chronic stiffness in the joints, you will greatly benefit from starting your day with lemon water.

Vitamin C

Yes, the mighty lemon is the gift that keeps on  giving. Along with all the juicy health benefits already mentioned, lemon is choc-full of vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts immunity, aids in calcium absorption and gives you radiant looking skin. Toxins always try to find a way to escape, and most often times its through your skin. Regularly drinking lemon water aids your body in swiftly removing toxins for you, so they’re not making a bee line for your complexion. After several weeks of your daily lemon tonic you will definitely notice a marked improvement with your skin’s tone and texture. It will be clearer, smoother and brighter.

Recipe for Your Morning Lemon Tonic

Photographer: Linda Wagner

The basic lemon drink consists of:

• 1 half a lemon squeezed into a few ounces of room-temperature (or warm) purified water.  Never use tap, and never use cold water. Cold water actually slows digestion.

I like to go for the gusto, so my lemon drink is VERY concentrated and contains a few other gems. I have 2 versions.

• I start with the juice of 1 lemon. I gently warm 4 oz. of water in my hot pot for a few seconds. Add the lemon with a pinch of Pink Salt and drink it down. The Pink Salt helps with hydrochloric acid production and provides a gentle boost to the adrenals.

• Whenever I have ginger, I make a lemon ginger tea. I heat my water to hot, add the lemon with a few pieces of grated ginger, and a dollop of raw honey (minus the salt). This lemon ginger tea is also a nice pick-me-up in the afternoon.

After this long list of benefits, it’s hard to believe there is any negative connotation toward the mighty lemon. I say, “when life gives you lemons, squeeze them in water and enjoy!”

If you have a favorite lemon cocktail that puts a pep in your step, please do share in the comments below. And if you found this post to be helpful, please share it on FB or give a tweet-out!