Lemon juice is a popular citrus fruit in alcoholic drinks, cooking, and baking. Lemon juice’s tangy sweetness enhances the flavor of all kinds of dishes. But have you ever thought of drinking lemon water? Many people are surprised to learn that warm lemon water is incredibly healthy.
Why drink warm lemon water instead of cold?
So, what’s better, drinking warm lemon water or cold lemon water?
Either one has benefits, but studies found that drinking a warm drink is the best choice. Researchers found that vapors from a hot liquid increase nasal mucus movement through your nasal cavities faster. The flavor of the lemon water on your taste buds also activates the flow of mucus.
Lastly, drinking a warm liquid instead of a cold one is better because the warm liquid gets the fluids moving, especially when you’re fighting a respiratory infection. So, starting your day with a cup of warm lemon water seems the better choice.
So, what’s the best temperature for a warm drink? According to one study, hot or warm beverages should range between 160 degrees Fahrenheit and 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Although some researchers felt this was a little too warm, recommending that you should drink liquids no warmer than 136 to 140.
So, how can you tell how warm the water is?
- Use a liquid thermometer. You can buy one of these at grocery stores or kitchen stores.
- A rolling boil is usually the proper temperature or a little warmer than you want.
- When the water bubbles are smaller, the water is colder. Large bubbles mean, hotter water.
- In a kettle where you can’t see the bubbles, you’ll notice that smaller bubbles, or colder water, make more noise. As the temperature rises and the bubbles get bigger, there will be less noise.
- You may want to cool the water down after you boil it to get it to the temperature you want for your warm drink.
Everyone has a preference just how warm they like their drinks. Researchers found that depending upon the drink, people had different preferences for temperature. So, you choose the heat, but be sure that it’s warm enough to get the full benefits of drinking warm lemon water.
12 Benefits of Drinking Warm Lemon Water Every Day
1. Reduces cholesterol
Lemons are packed with citric acid, vitamin C, and polyphenols. Polyphenols fight fatigue and lower the fat in your blood called lipids. One well-known lipid is called cholesterol. High lipids form in your blood when you eat a fatty diet. But medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, liver disease, and stress can also raise your lipid levels. Drinking warm lemon water is a simple way to reduce your cholesterol naturally without side effects. It’s a healthy and delicious method to start the day while getting healthier.
2. Slows down the aging process
Studies found that drinking lemon juice slows down your body’s aging process. One of the primary polyphenols in lemons is Eriocitrin, a yellowish water-soluble antioxidant found in lemon juice and lemon peels. These polyphenols can add years to your life. So, a cup of warm lemon water every day is like drinking from the fountain of youth.
3. Improves your intestinal flora
The same study also found that lemon juice changes your intestinal environment, allowing good gut bacteria to flourish. Drinking warm lemon water aids digestion and improves your overall gut health. A healthy gut means you’ll have less bloating and gas. When your digestive tract works the way it should, you’ll feel better and have more energy.
4. Helps muscles and reduce inflammation
Drinking warm lemon water slows down the decline of your muscle tissue and helps improve your movement. Studies also found that if you have a lifetime habit of including lemon juice in your diet, you reduce the inflammation in your body. Inflammation can damage your arteries, joints, and organs. It’s also thought to cause chronic diseases like blood vessel damage, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Here’s how drinking lemon water helps improve your health.
5. Reduce your chance of kidney stones
One in eleven people living in the United States suffers from kidney stones. Men get them more often than women. Kidney stones are excruciating; if they aren’t removed, they may damage your kidneys. It’s essential to stay hydrated to prevent kidney stones or, if you already have them, to help your body eliminate them from your kidneys.
Recent studies found that drinking citrus-based juices like lemon juice interrupts the formation of kidney stones as little as one-half cup of lemon juice daily in warm water increases the urine citrate in your urine to reduce kidney stone development.
6. Helps you get over a cold
Lemon juice is packed with vitamin C. Drinking warm lemon juice when you have a cold or a sinus infection boosts your body’s immune system, so you feel better quicker. Warm lemon water can also relieve congestion by thinning out the excess mucus in your nasal cavity. You’ll breathe more natural and feel more clear-headed. One study found that regular consumption of extra vitamin C in lemon juice can shorten the length of your cold, limit your cold symptoms, and prevent you from getting more colds.
7. Calms nervous system
Drinking warm lemon water is a beautiful way to start your day. Its soothing citrus aroma invigorates and calms your mind and body. Â Studies found that smelling the aroma of the Yuzu fruit, a lemony citrus fruit found in Japan, relieves stress and reduces your heart rate and your blood pressure. You feel more alert, focused, and ready for your day.
8. Relief from constipation
The acid in warm lemon water stimulates your digestive system. As you age, the levels of acids in your gut decrease. Adding warm lemon water to your daily routine gives your gut the extra boost it needs to help alleviate common digestive problems like constipation. Lemon also has fiber in the form of pectin, which also helps regulate your digestive system.
9. Keeps you hydrated
Drinking warm lemon water daily keeps you well hydrated. An average adult should drink 30 to 50 ounces of fluids daily, around one and a half liters. Water, juices, and fruits also help you stay hydrated. Fluids flush out bacteria in our bladder, and aid your heart and brain function. Staying hydrated will also help your muscle tissue and skin.
10. Helps you lose weight
Drinking warm lemon water daily can stimulate your metabolism. A well-working metabolism helps you keep extra weight off. Lemon juice is low fat and low in calories. Because it doesn’t have caffeine, you won’t have the jitters you can get with too much coffee. Drinking warm lemon water all day can also help you not eat as much food because you’ll feel fuller.
11. Improves your breath
Lemon juice naturally kills odors. After you eat, drink a mug of warm lemon water to aid your digestion and rid your mouth of unwanted odors. Lemons stimulate salvia, stopping dry mouth, the culprit of bad breath. Lemon juice also kills bacteria that may be growing in your mouth or on your tongue.
12. Improves your skin
Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges contain Vitamin C, a natural antioxidant. One study found that antioxidants promote healthy skin and can reduce wrinkles. Vitamin C also enhances the formation of collagen, which keeps your skin soft and pliable. This high-powered vitamin also fights free radicals that damage your skin and body. Drinking warm lemon water increases your levels of vitamin C, so your skin will be wrinkle-free and healthy.
Warm lemon water drink recipe
Always use fresh lemon juice for your warm lemon drink instead of the artificial lemon juice from a bottle. Bottled lemon juice contains additives and preservatives to keep the juice fresh. It’s healthier to avoid these whenever possible. Keep a bag of fresh lemons in your fridge to make warm lemon water anytime. If you don’t own a handheld lemon squeezer, buy yourself one. Lemon squeezers make it easy to squeeze out all the juice from the lemons without waste.
Heat up eight ounces of water. You can use the microwave or a tea kettle to heat the water, whichever you prefer.
Squeeze the juice from one or two ripe lemons into a mug of warm water. Stir the mixture to blend the water and lemon juice thoroughly. For an extra lemony flavor, drop in a slice of the lemon. Enjoy!
Don’t you like hot beverages? Try these lemon ice cubes.
Hot lemon water–not your favorite idea?
Another fun thing to do is to keep frozen lemon juice ice cubes on hand. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice into the ice cube freezer tray. Stick it into the freezer. Simply pull out the ice cube tray and drop a lemon ice cube into a mug of warm water. You may need to heat the water if it gets too cold from the lemon ice cube. Also, grind up lemon rind and store in containers in the freezer. Add the ground-up peel to soups, baked goods, or stews for extra lemony flavor.
Final Thoughts on Enjoying the Health Benefits of Warm Lemon Water
You boost your health when you have a warm mug of lemon water at the beginning of your day. Try drinking warm lemon water for a couple of weeks. You’ll be surprised at your improved energy, better digestion, and softer skin. Over time, you’ll experience less muscle pain, too. Lemons give off a soothing scent guaranteed to soothe your mind and help you stay calm. Warm lemon water may be the secret for you to look younger and feel better.
