Things Lemon Water Won’t Do

Drinking enough water and adding a little Vitamin C boost are good ideas, but they aren’t magic and there is no scientific backing to some of the claims made online about the benefits of lemon water:

• Balances pH Levels: There is a theory that certain foods can leave an acid or alkaline ash in the body. This is true, but this only affects the pH of the urine and not the pH of the blood. Chris Kresser explains the Acid/Alkaline myth in depth here.
• Flushes Toxins: Drinking water is important to help the body naturally eliminate cellular waste (a process that it does naturally), but claims that lemon water has a special ability to flush “toxins” without defining what they are or how this process works are overblown.
• Prevents Cancer: Many of the same articles that claim that lemon water alkalizes the body claim that because of this, it promotes an alkaline environment where cancer cells cannot thrive. See the article from Chris Kresser above about why this theory doesn’t make sense.
• Increases IQ: While drinking water or lemon water in the morning can help with alertness and focus, there is no evidence that it actually increase IQ over the long term.

The Bottom Line of Lemon Water

It is always important to support our bodies by drinking enough water, especially in the morning. Lemon water won’t be a miracle cure but it might be a better alternative to caffeinated drinks, especially for those with adrenal problems.

I’ve found that starting to drink water first thing in the morning when you aren’t used to it can cause a few minutes of nausea, so it might be a good idea to start slowly and not used to drinking this much.

How I Drink Lemon Water

I always make sure to drink a few glasses of water in the morning, but a few days a week, I add some fresh lemon juice for the taste and Vitamin C. Here’s what I do:

The Benefits of Lemon Water

• prep 5 minstotal 5 mins
• author wellness mama
• yield 1

Lemon water can help boost digestion and energy when consumed first thing in the morning.

Ingredients

• 24+ ounces of warm (not boiling) water
• 1/2-1 organic lemon
• 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger root (optional)

Instructions

1. TIP: Zest the organic lemon first and store in the freezer or dehydrate for easy use in recipes.
2. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze one half or the whole lemon into the water.
3. Peel and slice the ginger root (if using) and add to the water.
4. Enjoy!

Notes

After drinking, swish with some plain filtered water for 30 seconds to make sure the acid from the lemon juice doesn't remain on teeth.

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