Some people have the habit of drinking lemon water in the morning, is this really good for health? What dosage should be mixed to be effective?
Everyone knows the benefits of drinking plenty of water during the day. In the morning when you wake up, your body needs more water, after sleeping, your body is dehydrated, so a cool glass of water is a great way to start the day. But does drinking lemon water every day bring any additional health benefits?
There are different opinions about drinking lemon water to start the day, some say it’s good, others say it affects the stomach. Consult Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic.
According to Julia Zumpano, a glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and increase vitamin C levels, and can even help you adopt better habits that have a big impact on your health.
Lemons are rich in vitamins.
1. Why should you drink lemon water in the morning?
Drinking lemon water is a great way to add vitamin C and antioxidants to your daily diet,
Lemon water is naturally flavorful, low in calories, and packed with vitamins and nutrients. A cup of lemon water with 48 grams of lemon juice (the equivalent of the juice from one whole lemon) contains 11 calories and 18.6 mg of vitamin C (21% of the daily value).
Expert Julia Zumpano also notes that while starting your day with lemon water is a healthy habit, it is not a cure-all.
You can drink lemon water at any time, but many people prefer to drink it in the morning. This is a good way to hydrate your body right when you wake up. Plus, lemon helps boost your vitamin C intake before you start your day.
2. Health Benefits of Lemon Water
In addition to making your morning routine simple, drinking lemon water can also:
Aid in digestion
Acid helps break down food, which is why there is so much acid in our stomachs. The acid in lemons can be helpful in replenishing stomach acid levels, which tend to decrease as we age.
Helps the body stay hydrated
Many people don’t drink enough water. Making a daily habit of drinking lemon water is an easy way to start the day on the right foot.
Prevents Kidney Stones
Making a habit of drinking lemon water can also help your kidneys. Specifically, the citric acid in lemons prevents kidney stones from forming and can actually break down smaller stones before they start to form.
Weight Loss Friendly
Sure, you can get your vitamin C from a glass of orange juice in the morning, but substituting unsweetened lemon water is a good alternative if you’re trying to lose weight.
Provides Antioxidants
Citrus fruits like lemons are especially known for their high vitamin C content. This vitamin acts as a protective antioxidant for the body. Similar to how we drink a cup of warm lemon tea when we are sick, a daily glass of lemon water can help protect the body, reducing the risk of illness.
3. How to make lemon water
It is best to use warm or room temperature water to make lemon water as this helps extract vitamin C.
Here is how to make lemon water in the morning:
- Use fresh lemon. Take half a lemon and squeeze it into a glass of water about 200 -250 ml.
- Make sure the water is warm or at room temperature.
- If it is too sour, add other natural flavors such as mint, ginger… or add more water to balance the lemon flavor. Avoid any sugar or sweeteners.
4. Notes when drinking lemon water in the morning
Although lemon water is a morning drink that is said to aid digestion, promote weight loss, benefit the skin and boost immunity. But drinking too much lemon water may not bring such benefits. In fact, there are many side effects of lemon water if consumed in excess.
Can cause tooth enamel erosion or tooth decay: The downside of continuously drinking lemon water is that it affects tooth enamel. This is because citric acid is abundant in lemons. So, if you want to be safe, drink lemon water through a straw to protect your teeth, avoid brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water and drink plenty of water with lemon water.
Can aggravate stomach problems and heartburn: People who consume too much citrus fruits often suffer from digestive problems, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea and vomiting. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before drinking lemon water regularly if you have any symptoms. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should avoid drinking too much lemon water.
Make mouth ulcers worse: Mouth ulcers are small, painful, non-infectious lesions that develop in the mouth. It is best to wait until the mouth ulcer has healed completely before drinking lemon water.
Do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking lemon water: After drinking a glass of cold (or even warm/hot) lemon water, do not brush your teeth immediately. Doing so will rub acid into your teeth, making the damage worse. Instead, rinse your mouth with warm water immediately after drinking anything containing lemon juice. Then, wait 30 minutes for the remaining acids to neutralize, then brush and floss, and rinse your mouth one last time with water. This will not completely stop the acid damage, but it will help minimize the problem.