Photo: Ella Olsson

Is lemon good for the kidneys?

Lemons contain citrate, which helps prevent calcium from building up and forming stones in your kidneys. Interestingly, the benefit doesn't seem to be present in oranges, making lemon a unique tool in kidney stone prevention.

selecthealth.org - 4 Surprising Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water - SelectHealth

What should I drink daily?

You've probably heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. That's easy to remember, and it's a reasonable goal. Most healthy people...

Last updated Feb 17, 2020

Does walking reduce waist size?

One of the most effective ways to reduce belly fat is to regularly take part in aerobic exercise, such as walking ( 19 , 20 ). In one small study,...

Last updated Jan 20, 2022

Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

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

Learn More »

Promotion

Getting a lemon in your water glass at a restaurant is as natural as getting a bread basket before your pasta (though not as exciting). In fact, lemon water is something we’ve taken for granted, and most of us assume it’s just an embellishment or a way to make water taste less like water. But there are some great reasons for drinking lemon water, and they just might convince you to stock up on lemons.

Related: Simple Lemon Meringue Pie

1. All the nutrients without the calories

Lemons pack a great punch of vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system. Yes, oranges and other fruits and vegetables also contain vitamin C, but they often have double the calories and much more sugar. In addition to vitamin C, lemons contain flavonoids and evidence suggests these may decrease oxidative stress: in other words, that slice of lemon contains antioxidants to help your body combat free radicals.

2. Metabolic boost

Drinking lemon water won’t combat poor eating habits (as in, don’t expect to live on pizza and think lemon water will make you skinny), but it will provide metabolic support. Granted, the studies don’t tout lemon water as a weight loss miracle, but there is evidence to suggest citrus flavonoids help with insulin resistance and obesity. Plus, water in general has weight loss benefits, so if you’re likely to drink more water when it has a slight lemony taste to it, that’s all the more reason to add a little bit of zing to your drink.

3. Kidney stone warrior

If you think preventing kidney stones isn’t that big of a benefit, you’ve never experienced a kidney stone. Lemons contain citrate, which helps prevent calcium from building up and forming stones in your kidneys. Interestingly, the benefit doesn’t seem to be present in oranges, making lemon a unique tool in kidney stone prevention.

4. Skin helper

Remember how lemons have a great amount of vitamin C? Well, that handy little vitamin does more than just support your immune system—it also assists in the production of collagen. So, being consistent about adding lemon to your water can actually help your skin look and feel better.

Related: Tips to Get the Most From Your Produce

You’re probably already thinking about how to get the above benefits without keeping a bunch of lemons in your kitchen. After all, the supermarket sells those little bottles of lemon juice right next to the actual lemons, so why not take a shortcut? Bad news—bottled lemon juice isn’t as good as the real thing. Vitamin C loses its potency when exposed to air, and bottled lemon juice has been heated (killing healthy live enzymes) before ending up on a store shelf. While the practice of keeping fresh lemons on hand may be difficult to get used to, the health benefits are obvious. Plus, regular water is boring—lemons will add some zest to your water and your life.

Check out other Healthy Living articles.

What fish is healthiest for you?

6 of the Healthiest Fish to Eat Albacore Tuna (troll- or pole-caught, from the US or British Columbia) ... Salmon (wild-caught, Alaska) ... Oysters...

Last updated Mar 19, 2018

How much lemon juice should I put in 16 oz of water?

½ lemon How much lemon juice to put in water? Mix the juice of ½ lemon in about 16 oz. of water (or about 1 ½ Tablespoons lemon juice in 2 cups of...

Last updated Mar 6, 2018

Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

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

Learn More »

Promotion

What drinks won't break a fast?

What drinks will not break your fast? Purified Water. Purified water is produced by processing tap or groundwater. ... Spring/Mineral Water....

Last updated Jul 5, 2021

How anemia affects your face?

Skin that's paler than usual in areas like the face, lower inner eyelids, or nails may be a sign of moderate or severe iron deficiency. This...

Last updated Jul 30, 2022

Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

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

Learn More »

Promotion

What is the best time to drink carrot juice?

Carrots contain large amounts of soluble fibre which binds to cholesterol and then helps the body to excrete it as waste. So the best time to drink...

Last updated Jul 4, 2020

Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

A potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

What vegetable juices reduce blood pressure?

Ingredients like beets, spinach, kale, and tomatoes also make for excellent juice add-ins, while also being extremely helpful in lowering high...

Last updated Feb 7, 2019