Is drinking lemon water good for you?

By Elma Morgan

Elma Morgan is a student in University in the Community.  She has a passionate interest in nutrition and its impact on our health and well-being. Elma studied at Humber College, U of T, and Mount Royal University in Calgary Alberta. During her college years, she worked part-time as a food service aide and then proceeded to work full-time in a hospital in Alberta for almost 18 years. Here, Elma considers some of the benefits of drinking lemon water along with advice about when we should limit our intake.

What does lemon water do for the body?
Drinking lemon juice with warm water every morning helps in maintaining the pH balance of the body. It acts as a detoxifying agent and helps maintain digestive health. Along with being a detoxifier for the liver, it contains vitamin C. Lemons are also a rich source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. 

Is it OK to drink lemon water every day?
The daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits including preventing dehydration, assisting with digestion, and supporting weight loss. It also contains vitamin C which boosts your immune system, and helps flush out toxins in your body, cleanse the liver, and improve digestion. Drinking lemon juice with warm water the first thing in the morning is especially healthy.

Does lemon water help clear your skin?
Starting your day off with a glass of lemon water has innumerable benefits, including increasing the amount of collagen in your skin. That means you’ll produce fewer wrinkles. Its vitamin C can also fight off toxins that cause breakouts.

Is it good to drink lemon water at night?
Drinking warm water before bed will keep you hydrated through the night and may help the body to rid itself of unwanted toxins. If plain water is too bland, or if you’re trying to beat a cold, consider adding lemon to your water before bed.

Are there any unhealthy side effects of drinking lemon water?
Consuming too much of anything is a bad thing, even when it comes to lemon water. GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder, is triggered by acidic foods like lemon juice and can cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.

Citric acid, which is a property of lemons, may erode tooth enamel. Although lemon water on its own may not lead to the development of cavities, if you typically sweeten it with sugar or use concentrated lemon juice instead of a freshly squeezed lemon, then you could have a problem on your hands… and teeth.

Finally, if you drink lemon water while dealing with a mouth sore, you are probably making it worse without realizing it. And if you deal with headaches or migraines of any nature, it is safe to say you do not want to take any chances by eating or drinking something that could trigger them. Most citrus fruits, including lemons, fall into that category.