Is drinking lemon water the health boost many say it is?

Morayo Ogunbayo, Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan 14, 2025

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Touted by athletes, supermodels and pop stars as one way to maintan their looks and health, lemon water has become a must-have daily elixir for people.

In 2016, supermodel Gisele Bündchen said she started each day with a lukewarm glass of lemon water as a part of her diet. In 2022, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter invested in lemon Water brand Lemon Perfect, saying it “allows choosing a healthier lifestyle to be affordable and accessible to everyone.”

Much less shouting has been done about the drink’s actual benefits, however.

Lemon water, which is simply water with lemon juice in it, does have many benefits, in fact, with the best results occurring if it is consumed in the morning, according to Glamour.

“Lemon water has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic healing and nutrition to keep the body healthy,” physician Vaidya Kalyan Indukuri told Glamour. Ayurvedic refers to natural Indian medical practices,.Strengthens the immune system

The properties in lemon water can work to strengthen the immune system, working to restore the body during an illness or even prevent colds from sprouting up.

“As an antioxidant, the vitamin C it contains also boosts the immune system,” Indukuri told the magazine.Helps with digestion

Lemon water can help to stimulate digestion, due to its “high proportion of insoluble fiber,” Indukuri continued.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, lemon water’s acid can also work to break down foods, especially when the stomach’s natural acid declines as we age.

If you need an extra digestion boost, try adding other herbs and spices into your lemon water, such as fennel, cumin, basil or dill, Indukuri added.Hydrates the skin

The benefits of lemon water are vast, however, the cosmetic benefit is often the one most focused on.

“Lemon water helps to regulate the water balance,” Indukuri said. “This allows the body’s cells to regenerate faster, which is also great for improving the appearance of the skin.”

Vitamin C also works to strengthen collagen production, meaning clear and firmer skin.

A daily glass of water with lemon may not be a magic potion, but it does have many benefits.