Top 16 Beauty And Health Benefits Of Drinking Water In The Morning

In recent years, lemon water has gained widespread popularity as a beloved morning drink, since it has been claimed to help improve your mood, energy levels, immune system and metabolic health. It has also been primarily used due to its juice that contains a high amount of constituents in it, which is exceptionally useful for various health-related problems and beauty remedies. And because it is a natural diuretic, lemon water is thought to flush excess fluids and toxins out of your body, contributing to remain your body's nutrient balance. Drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning can help balance your chronic PH, particularly PH in urine, and purify your liver, which has been associated with both health and beauty benefits.

Therefore, in this article, TrueRemedies will show you some of the best health and beauty benefits that lemon water can offer. Continue reading this article to know more benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning and its uses in your regular diet.

Medically reviewed by Alexandra Dusenberry, MS, RDN

• Top 17 Benefits Of Lemon Water For Health And Beauty
• 5 Best Health Benefits Of Passionflower
• Top 9 Amazing Health Benefits Of Rosemary

Drinking Lemon Water In The Morning And What Are Its Benefits

I. Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water In The Morning

A. Health Benefits 

1. For The Immune System 

Lemon water is loaded with vitamin C, A, potassium, folate, and other nutrients that are necessary for the body to remain strong. Vitamin C, in particular, plays an important role in keeping our immune system active^[1]. It has been proven to fight the microbes that cause colds and flu and delay the decay of the body's cells. Consuming a glass of warm lemon water in the morning may be a perfect way to get the vitamin C we need. Moreover, bioflavonoids found in lemon water has been shown to prevent cell damage, which helps slow down aging and protect your body from diseases.

2. For The Digestive System 

Jump-starting your day with a rich source of vitamin C from lemon water can be good for your digestive system^[2]. By making our lives produce more bile – the essential acid to keep the gastrointestinal tract running smoothly and aid our digestion properly. Drinking lemon water also helps our indigestion with its ability to balance the levels of oxygen and calcium in our lives. The citric acid in lemon also enables our body to absorb more essential minerals, which means we are less prone to feel bloated after eating^[3].

You only need to enjoy a glass of lemon water around 30 minutes before your breakfast. This is to help your digestive system and body to receive nutrients more efficiently. You can also add a teaspoon of honey or cinnamon for flavors and then mix it with lemon water.

3. For The Urinary System 

Due to its mild diuretic contents, lemon water can help keep our urinary system strong and healthy^[4]. You can always drink one glass of warm lemon water on an empty stomach to help you flush any unwanted elements out of your urinary tract and alkalize our body, which will give a great boon to your urinary tract. It acts as an antioxidant that may remove free radicals from your body. Lemon water can also flush liquid waste out of your system at a much faster rate, resulting in a reduction in the number of harmful bacteria in your body.

4. For Asthma Prevention

Not only can lemon water fight flu and cold, but it also has benefits for preventing and controlling asthma attacks^[5]. As we have mentioned, lemon water can strengthen your immune system, which is essential for protecting your body from asthma caused by pollen, smoke, dust mites, and viruses. The rich amount of vitamin C slows down the production of inflammatory molecules to prevent asthma caused by the inflammation of the airways^[6]. There are antiseptic and antibacterial properties in lemon water too, so it can fight bacteria and viruses that can trigger asthma attacks.

Then, how can you start a day without any breathing problems caused by asthma?

Remedy 1: Lemon water and honey 

This solution is preferred by many because honey tastes sweet and does contain a large number of antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids that are good for one's airways.

• Prepare a cup of lukewarm lemon water
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it and stir the mixture
• Drink this before breakfast to relieve asthma symptoms
• Repeat this method until the frequency of asthma attacks reduces.

Remedy 2: Lemon water and garlic 

With its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral contents, garlic helps to ease breathing, especially at the early stages of asthma.

• Crush 5 to 6 garlic cloves
• Mix them well with a glass of lukewarm lemon water and gulp it down
• Drink a glass of water
• Repeat the process daily

Note: Excessive consumption of lemon water can trigger heartburn, urination, and dehydration for the day due to the diuretic effects. And if you have special medical conditions, it is best to use lemon water after consulting your doctor.

5. For Energy And Mood-boosting

It is said that the mere smell of lemon has a calming effect on our nervous system, contributing to the reduction of depression and anxiety^[7]. Our body obtains energy from foods so the negative-charged ions in lemon water can increase energy levels naturally. The lack of essential vitamins is another reason for a bad mood. Vitamin B and C present in lemon water boost energy for your body. Drinking a glass of warm lemon water in the morning can do wonders for your mood and health over the long term.

6. For A Healthy Heart

Of course, lemon water cannot be a magical cure for the heart problems, but it does contain necessary minerals to help control your heartbeat and blood flow^{[8] [9]}. Potassium, in particular, can help regulate your heartbeat and make sure your muscle in a good enough condition for proper cardiac functioning. Besides, plant chemicals present in lemon water, namely hesperidin and diosmin, can help keep both blood pressure and cholesterol levels of your body in check.

However, our body often fails to meet the recommended potassium intake. An unhealthy diet, which prefers fast foods over whole plant foods is likely to blame; fortunately,  lemon water is an easy and affordable way to top it up. Lemon water can never be a replacement for a formal treatment provided by doctors, but it can be used with other medications without triggering side effects.

Drinking a glass of lemon water to soothe the beating of your heart and squeeze blood through your body is a great way to start your day.

7. For A Sore Throat 

A sore throat can be extremely painful and irritating, so you certainly do not want your day to start badly because of that. Luckily, lemon water can help you! Lemon water contains antiseptic contents, which can kill viruses and harmful bacteria in your throat and boost your immune system.

Follow these simple instructions to get rid of the sore throat.

Remedy 1: Lemon water and salt 

• Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of lukewarm lemon water
• Stir it well
• Gargle it three times, each time for at least one minute.

Remedy 2: Lemon water and honey juice

• Mix 2 teaspoons of honey juice with a cup of warm and fresh lemon water and stir it well
• Sip it slowly but ensure that the tea is not too hot
• Drink it every morning on an empty stomach

If you do not mind the sourness, you can gargle or drink fresh lemon water alone. Generally, it provides quick results; however; if you suffer from any discomfort, please stop.

8. For Regulating Blood Pressure 

Lemon water helps soften your blood vessels, and it will certainly help lower your blood pressure^[10]. Vitamin C is an antioxidant helping fight free radicals, which assists your heart to squeeze more blood throughout your body. Moreover, lemon water does contain vitamin B that is essential to keep your heart healthy, contributing to regulating your blood pressure. The rich source of potassium in lemon water can also balance out the negative effects of sodium, one of the most notable causes of high blood pressure.

The method is to drink a glass of warm lemon water each morning on an empty stomach before your breakfast. Drink it for 4 to 5 days to notice any reduction in your blood pressure. It is recommended that you drink lemon water without any sugar or salt, but if it is too sour, you can add a little honey as a sweetener.

B. Beauty Benefits

1. For Skin Toning

You can start your day by consuming a glass of lemon water to tone your skin color instead of using OTC toning products packed with chemicals. The water will hydrate your skin and get rid of the toxins that cause breakouts, leaving it radiant and bright. Lemon water comes with the antioxidants in vitamin C that give it its awesome skin toning properties^[11]. Citric acid found in lemon water is a type of alpha-hydroxy that has natural skin bleaching components. They eliminate free radical damage to keep your skin look refreshed. Sufficient vitamin C intake from lemon water also promotes collagen production, which is necessary for smoothing out fine lines in the face and clearing acne. According to a recent study, vitamin C also helps to decrease wrinkles^[12].

For this purpose, you may follow the method below:

• Mix two tablespoons of lemon water and one tablespoon of honey or cucumber juice
• Mix them thoroughly and apply it to your skin
• Gently massage those applied areas with circular motions.
• Rest for 15-20 minutes to enjoy its full benefits.
• Rinse with warm water and moisturize.
• If your skin is dry, you can add 2-3 drops of essential oil. If your skin is oily, you add vodka and witch hazel to remove excess oil and tone the skin.
• Repeat this remedy regularly to notice the significant changes in your skin color.

2. For Acne And Scar Treatment

Lemon water works great as an acne and scar treatment because it is naturally astringent, particularly due to the L-ascorbic presented in it^[13]. A high level of vitamin C in lemon water promotes healthy skin cells, thus minimizes the risk of acne and scars. This process is assisted by the presence of anti-bacterial properties in lemon water, which can fight off the bacteria, causing acne. In addition to this, drinking a glass of lemon water every morning can help clean the body's system internally and thus attain a bright acne-free skin.

To use lemon water for preventing acne and healing scars, mix lemon water with vitamin E oil or  rose water and apply it to the blemished skin area. Let it be for 15-20 minutes and slowly wash it with cold water. Alternatively, just take a cotton ball and apply lemon water to the affected area. Keep it for 15 minutes then wash off. Follow this every morning for quick results. You can add honey to your daily intake of lemon water for your own preferences.

3. For Teeth Whitening

If you are worried about your yellow teeth that can make your smile unsightly, a morning beverage such as lemon water can be your solution^[14]. It is a natural teeth whitening product thanks to its citric acid.

The usual method is to rub lemon water on your teeth for one minute slowly. After that, wait for a few minutes before rinsing your mouth with warm water. Do it once per morning, and the result will soon be noticed. Be careful not to do it for a long time since the acid in lemon can harm your teeth, and also, avoid rubbing it on your gums.

Or, you can always use a clean earbud to apply lemon water to your teeth. A solution made of ¼ teaspoon of salt or baking soda and 2-3 lemon water drops is also a suitable choice. Gently rub it on your yellow teeth and wait for one minute before washing your mouth with warm water.

It is suggested to use this remedy every morning in one week, and take note of the results. Hopefully, it will not take long for your teeth to shine naturally and give you a smile as beautiful as pearls.

4. For Dandruff Treatment

Due to its acidic nature, lemon water is ideal for getting rid of itchiness on the scalp, dead cells, and harmful factors^[15]. Moreover, it contains anti-fungal properties^[16] that fight dandruff and other scalp infections. You may follow two methods below to treat dandruff:

Remedy 1:

• Make lemon water from fresh lemon to massage your hair and scalp for 5-10 minutes.
• Wash it off thoroughly after 10 minutes with a mild shampoo.
• This method is advised to use once per week.

Remedy 2:

• Mix 2-3 drops of lemon water and camphor oil with two warm tablespoons of coconut oil.
• Gently massage for 5-10 minutes into scalp and leave it be for around one or two hours.
• Cover your scalp by using a warm towel for more than 10 minutes.
• Wash your hair carefully with a mild shampoo.

5. For Better Hair Growth

Lemon water can help prevent hair from falling and encourage your hair to grow thicker. The rich source of vitamin C works wonders in promoting and protecting hair follicles, thus reduces the risks of hair falling. A component called limonene makes your hair brighter and smoother.

• Mix 1 tablespoons of fresh lemon water with 2-3 tablespoons of natural aloe vera.
• Use it to massage your scalp for around 5 minutes.
• Wash off after 20-30 minutes. If you have herbal shampoo, it would be wonderful.
• Wash your hair in the morning to make your hair fresh for the day!

6. For Good Breath

Drinking lemon water in the morning can act as a natural, long-lasting breath freshener. Vitamin C in lemon water acts as defences against gum diseases and gum inflammation – main causes of bad breath^[17]. Natural antioxidants and anti-bacterial components found in lemon water also protect your teeth and tongue from harmful bacteria, which may lead to bad breath. Besides, lemon water has a refreshing citrus flavor to stimulate saliva flow, washing off bacteria that can cause bad odor.

Squeezing fresh lemon into a glass of water and then drinking it or gargling with it is the simplest method to eliminate bad breath; however, you can always make it more appetizing. Following these steps:

Remedy 1: Lemon water and honey

• Prepare a glass of warm lemon water, then add 1 teaspoon of honey
• Stir it well until the honey completely dissolves and drink it
• Process this method daily.

Remedy 2: Lemon water and mint 

• Prepare a fresh leaf of mint and wash it carefully
• Pour 2-3 drops of lemon water on it and then chew it slowly
• It is advised to do this after breakfast as a mouth freshener.

Remedy 3: Lemon water and ginger water 

• Mix 1-2 teaspoons of ginger water into a glass of warm lemon water, stir it well
• Gargle your mouth 5-8 times with this mixture, remember to spit out after gargling.
• Repeat the method daily for best results.

Note: 

After using any of these remedies, remember to drink or gargle with a glass of fresh water to neutralize the possibly harmful effects of remaining citric acid in lemon water. Furthermore, if the problem of bad breath continues even after using these remedies, it is recommended that you should consult your dentist.

7. For Nail Strengthening 

Most people, particularly women, want their nails to be strong, healthy and beautiful. Yellowish, breakable, and chipped nails can be extremely irritating and may result in an inferiority complex because of the psychological effect. Fortunately, lemon water is a wonderful remedy to deal with the problem. The method is to place your bare nails into the warm lemon water for about 15 minutes every morning and then rinse well and apply hydrating hand cream or nourishing oil to your hands. Practise this method every other day around 2 weeks for best results.

You can also add olive oil to the mixture. Stir 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of lemon water and place your bare nail into this mixture for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with water. Use this method once or twice a week for 3 weeks to see your nails healthier and stronger.

8. For Dark Circles Under The Eyes Removal 

Dark circles under the eyes are unsightly and worrying for most of us. Thankfully, lemon water can help us combat them effectively. Due to its natural bleaching and antibacterial property, lemon water can lighten skin with regular use over the long term. Besides, it moistures and can keep our skin smooth.

To greet your day with bright eyes, you should follow the following method in the morning:

Mix a teaspoon of honey with a glass of lemon water, then use a cotton ball to apply to clean the skin areas under your eyes. Leave it be around 5 minutes before rinsing with cold water and patting it dry. Repeat this process daily. You can replace honey with jasmine oil or olive oil; the process is similar and will bring out similar results.

Or simply, just drink lemon water in the morning. It cleans your body from the inside, boosts your immune system and skin problems that can lead to dark circles.

However, you should pay attention to your allergic conditions before applying any of those remedies. If your skin starts feeling itchy or irritated, you should stop using lemon water.

C. Other Benefits Of Lemon Water 

• For Cleaning Utensils And Clothes: Due to its high citric acid, low pH level and various antibacterial properties, lemon water is named as one of the best natural cleaners for utensils and clothes. Should your utensil be oily, sticky and stained, you can rub them off with lemon water to make the ware become shiny again. It helps remove the dirt from copper, aluminium, and steel utensils. Similarly, rubbing over your clothes with lemon water helps remove tough stains, giving back a nice look to the clothes. However, remember to avoid using lemon water on delicate fabric. If you are uncertain, you may test a small spot first.
• For Polishing Copper: You can also do this by making use of two common ingredients: lemon water and salt. Add salt to half a glass of lemon water to form a paste. This paste can be applied to stained surfaces that can no longer be exposed to easy removal. Let the paste be for around half an hour, scrubbing it periodically. This method can remove minimal stains in about 10 to 20 minutes, but remember, stains formed by heat is more difficult to remove.
• For Cleaning Wooden Cutting Board: After using, your cutting board may have ugly and dirty sludge on the surface, which can be a real pain to clear. However, you can always get the clearer surface by following this simple method: sprinkle salt all over the cutting board, then slowly pour down water lemon on the surface. Let it be for 5 minutes, then scrape they gray, dirty liquid into a small bowl with a bench scraper. Rinse your cutting board with warm water and clean wet sponge. Follow this procedure once a week to keep your cutting board clean.

II. Myths And Facts Around Lemon Water 

Indeed, there are various claims about the health and beauty benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning. However, lemon water is not a magical cure for all; some of those benefits merely remain as a belief of what lemon water would be capable of. Some are even disproved due to the lack of scientific evidence.

1. Lemon Water Can Fight Cancer 

This started from a belief that said lemon water is alkalizing and thus, capable of preventing the growth of cancer cells.

The ideal environment for cancer cells to develop is an acidic one; however, it is entirely possible for them to grow in an alkalized environment as well. Plus, cancer cells can create an acidic environment for themselves, so consuming the alkalized drink does not help.

2. Lemon Water Raise Your IQ 

It has been recognized that regularly consuming lemon water in the morning can help people concentrate better, which may be why people think they seem smarter. Indeed, the high amount of potassium found in lemons has been associated with easing our nerves and raising our alertness. However, there is no actual scientific evidence supporting the fact that lemon water can increase IQ over the long term.

3. Lemon Water Contains Fiber That Helps You Lose Weight 

The myth stems from the fact that lemon water has a type of fiber called pectin that can help reduce your calorie intake. However, after lemon is squeezed into water, there is barely a trace of that fiber remained. And even a whole lemon only has 2 gram of pectin.

As mentioned before, since lemon water is low in calories^[18], it may help restrict your calorie consumption to aid your weight loss, but that is the only impact it may have. For a better source of pectin, please consider adding high-fiber foods such as oats or beans to your regular diet.

III. Side Effects And Warnings Of Using Lemon Water In The Morning

Generally, lemon water is one of the safest drinks to ingest and use; however, the acids found in lemons can harm your tooth enamel. You need to drink lemon water before brushing your teeth because the overnight bacteria is proven to protect your teeth for a while. Drink lemon water through a straw to help neutralize any acid that might remain on your teeth and also to limit their potential negative effects.

Moreover, certain studies suggest that high lemon water absorption can increase the risk of getting a sunburn, resulting in blisters and dark spots. This is caused by chemicals called psoralens found in lemon water, which interact with sunlight, leading to the burn. Also, given the acidic nature of the fruits, overconsumption can damage the scalp.

Consuming too much lemon water in the morning when you have yet been used to it may cause nausea, so you should start slowly.

It is ideal to consume 120ml of lemon water (approximately 5.9 grams of citric acid) each day. While lemon water can be efficient at any time of the day, it is still best to use it in the morning. The remarkable source of vitamin C found in lemon water can boost your energy; therefore, it helps you begin your day with great enthusiasm. You should avoid drinking it after dinner since it may interfere with your sleep pattern.

In summary, there are some great health and beauty benefits of lemon water for our body. Do you know other awesome benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning that have been left out in this article? Please share them with us through the comments box. All of the contents provided in this article are for informational and educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional before using lemon water for any issue.