Smoothy Slim
Photo by Julia Volk Pexels Logo Photo: Julia Volk

Is 3 lemons a day too much?

How much lemon water should you drink? Stephens recommends using the juice from two to three lemons (about four to six tablespoons) throughout the day, and drinking one or two glasses of lemon water with meals, and one glass in between meals.

What can I drink in the morning to clean my stomach?
What can I drink in the morning to clean my stomach?

Our bodies prefer warm liquids, especially in the morning. So, it is better to start with warm water with some herbs like ginger, tulsi, etc. added...

Read More »
What juice makes your skin clear?
What juice makes your skin clear?

Cucumber juice This gives your skin a translucent and healthy glow, at the same time clearing it of all imperfections. It also flushes out all the...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

The benefits of lemon water include boosting Vitamin C, aiding weight loss, preventing kidney stones, and freshening breath. However, drinking too much lemon water can have health risks, such as damaging tooth enamel and irritating mouth sores. Here's how much lemon water you should drink a day to receive the health benefits. This article was medically reviewed by Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, nutrition and wellness expert with a private practice based in New York City. by Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, nutrition and wellness expert with a private practice based in New York City. Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. Lemon water is a much healthier option than other flavored drinks, like juices or non-diet sodas, which are often loaded with sugar. Plus, by adding lemon to your water, you'll be adding some key vitamins and nutrients to your drink, in addition to a fresh flavor with few health risks. Here's what you should know about the health benefits of drinking lemon water, including how often you should drink it and how much.

Lemon water provides some vitamin C

The juice from one lemon contains around 30 mg of vitamin C, which is 33% of the 90 mg recommended daily allowance (RDA) for males, and 40% of the 75 mg RDA for females, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the US National Institutes of Health.

Vitamin C keeps us healthy in the following ways:

Helps your body heal . Our body needs vitamin C to make collagen, a vital protein which forms part of the connective tissue we need to heal wounds. . Our body needs vitamin C to make collagen, a vital protein which forms part of the connective tissue we need to heal wounds. Supports your immune system. Vitamin C can help reduce the strength of your cold symptoms and fight off illness-causing viruses and bacteria. Vitamin C can help reduce the strength of your cold symptoms and fight off illness-causing viruses and bacteria. Improve iron absorption. Iron is essential for the cells in your body to survive and grow. "I often recommend lemon water with meals to enhance iron absorption, especially for athletes and individuals with anemia," says Amy Stephens, MS, RDN, CDE, a registered dietitian.

Can we reduce tummy in 7 days?
Can we reduce tummy in 7 days?

While you cannot reduce fat, you can lose belly fat by decreasing your total body fat percentage. And you don't have to completely alter your daily...

Read More »
When should I drink juice to lose weight?
When should I drink juice to lose weight?

Juicing done the right way includes consumption of the fruit/vegetable fibres as well. This ensures that you are satiated and get an instant surge...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

It's worth noting that other citrus fruits contain more vitamin C than lemons. For example, one medium orange and three-quarters of a cup of grapefruit juice both contain 70 mg of vitamin C. So you can try switching up your flavored citrus water drinks for added benefits.

Lemon water can aid weight loss

Since lemon water is flavorful and low in calories, it's a great substitute for less healthy drinks like sodas, iced teas, and juices — which often contain added sugar. By drinking lemon water in place of these sugary beverages, it can help you restrict calorie intake and potentially aid weight loss efforts. For example, a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that for overweight or obese adults, replacing high-caloric drinks with water or non-caloric drinks resulted in an average weight loss of 2% to 2.5% after six months. However, whether or not lemon water can help you lose weight when compared to drinking regular water has not been proven. The bottom line is that drinking lemon water as a replacement for higher calorie drinks can be part of a healthier diet, and potentially, a useful weight loss strategy.

Lemon water may help prevent kidney stones

The citric acid in lemon juice can also help prevent the development of kidney stones. The citrate, a salt, in the acid supports this preventative mechanism by binding to the calcium in your urine. According to a 2014 study published by the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, consuming the equivalent of four lemons a day mixed with two liters of water was found to "significantly increase urine citrate levels." These higher citrate levels can prevent the formation of kidney stones, or stop the stones from getting bigger and becoming more painful. In fact, the National Kidney Foundation recommends mixing lemon juice or lime juice with water as one of the ways to prevent kidney stones.

Are raw carrots good for you?
Are raw carrots good for you?

Carrots are the “go-to” food when it comes to eating healthy and losing weight because the orange vegetable is low in calories and rich in vitamins...

Read More »
What cocktails can I have on a diet?
What cocktails can I have on a diet?

Here are some great options: Gin & Soda Water with Lemon/ Lime (100 calories) Old Fashioned (150 calories) Extra Dry Brut Champagne (65 calories)...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Lemon water freshens breath

The citric acid in lemon juice can also kill the bacteria that causes bad breath. However, too much citric acid can make your breath worse by triggering gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). GERD can cause your stomach acid to rise up through your esophagus and into your mouth, resulting in bad breath.

How much lemon water should you drink?

Stephens recommends using the juice from two to three lemons (about four to six tablespoons) throughout the day, and drinking one or two glasses of lemon water with meals, and one glass in between meals. But don't necessarily add lemon to every glass of water you drink. Lemon juice is highly acidic, so if you drink too much lemon water, it may have some negative side effects. For example, citric acid — like what's in lemons — can erode tooth enamel and damage your teeth, the American Dental Association (ADA) warns. That's why Stephens says to drink lemon water through a straw — so it comes into less contact with your teeth. But overall, for many people, drinking a few glasses of lemon water each day can have health benefits, especially if it's replacing other sugary beverages.

Related articles from our Health Reference library:

What food eats belly fat?
What food eats belly fat?

7 Foods that Burn Belly Fat Beans. “Becoming a bean lover can help you lose weight and whittle your middle,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass told...

Read More »
What is a natural energy booster?
What is a natural energy booster?

There are several natural energy boosters you can try if you're feeling low on energy. Eating a diet rich in fiber-rich foods, protein, and energy-...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »
Is broccoli high in potassium?
Is broccoli high in potassium?

Broccoli is a medium potassium food, low in sodium and phosphorus, and suitable for all the following kidney conditions and treatments: Chronic...

Read More »
Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat
Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Why do I naturally stink?
Why do I naturally stink?

Summary. Body odor is caused by bacteria breaking down the sweat from the apocrine glands in your armpits, groin, and pubic area. You may be more...

Read More »