Improves detox, digestion, hydration, skin and liver function! Top 10 health benefits of lemon water in the morning and before bed with a simple method and recipe to enjoy warm or hot lemon water every day!
Like many detox drinks, the benefits of drinking hot lemon water in the morning and at night is a hot topic in the wellness circle and for good reason! Not only do lemons add abundance of flavor to otherwise bland water and lemon cucumber mint water, it is also a quick solution to staying hydrated and for the removal of toxins.
In a hurry? Heat a cup of water, squeeze in half a lemon, and drink it warm first thing in the morning or right before bed. That is the whole recipe. The rest of this post is the why: the 10 benefits, the best times to drink it, and the ways to infuse it for extra flavor.
Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 0 minutes, just heat the water
- ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 1 mug, 8 ounces
- ⚡ Calories: 16kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Bright and citrusy, warming, naturally sugar free
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, even simpler than my lemon salt water drink
Quick Answer
Heat 1 cup of filtered water to a boil or until warm and pour it into a mug or heat-proof glass cup. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and lemon slices. Enjoy it warm or hot first thing in the morning when you wake, 20 minutes before eating or drinking coffee, or right before bed on an empty stomach.
Jump to:
According to medical advice and studies, citrus flavonoids improves digestion to detox the body and cleanse it for weight loss which promotes metabolic health. In addition, a glass of lemon water also promotes radiant and clear skin, boosts the immune system to ward off the common cold, improves liver function, heart health, and blood pressure. Adding lemon to water promotes overall wellbeing, so drink up! You can also try adding salt to water for additional nutrients.
A lemon water drink is good for you and a wonderful detox drink to add to your everyday routine along with the widely favored apple cider vinegar drink, apple cider vinegar shots, these 4 detox water recipes, fruit infused detox waters, and carrot juice which is great for skin and weight loss.
Drink lemon water, along with these juicing recipes, to assist to lose belly fat and cleanse the body with the combination of a healthy diet. To jumpstart the body for success, it begins with what you put into your body first thing in the morning. After you have your lemon water, then any fresh juice like a green machine drink is good to consume too!
Drinking enough water is important and consuming lemon water hot or warm is best for the body. Chilled lemon water does not absorb as quickly in the body.
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Warm water absorbs faster. Consuming lemon water hot or warm is best for the body because chilled lemon water does not absorb as quickly.
- The citrus flavonoids come out in the juice. We do not get the fiber when we squeeze the juice from citrus fruits, but the flavonoids do come out, and those are what help protect the liver from toxins.
- Timing does the heavy lifting. First thing in the morning on an empty stomach, or right before bed, is when the liver is best positioned to use it.
- Twenty minutes of patience. Waiting 20 minutes before eating or drinking anything else, even coffee, gives the digestive system time to activate.
- Hydration is the quiet ingredient. When the body is hydrated it has less need to hold onto fluid, which is what presents itself as inflammation and swelling.
- It is 16 calories. Lemons are low calorie, which makes this a much healthier alternative to high-calorie sugary drinks.
10 Benefits of Lemon Water
- Better digestion and good for the liver. Citrus flavonoids in lemons help to protect the liver from toxins, flush those toxins out with water and promote liver production of bile, which also aids in healthy digestion.
- Reduces inflammation. Warm lemon water increases hydration as it is quickly absorbed into the body. When the body is hydrated it has less need to hold onto the fluid which presents itself as inflammation and swelling.
- A natural detox and weight loss drink. As lemon water flushes out toxins, hydrates the body and promotes digestion, these components help to detox the body and prepare it for weight loss.
- Wards off cravings. This fruit water contains pectin fiber which wards off cravings and hunger to promote weight loss, similar to the way grapefruit juice does.
- Provides natural energy without caffeine. When your body is hydrated the brain thinks clearer, and you have more natural energy to function. That means you can ween off the caffeine kick!
- Boosts the immune system. Vitamin C is in lemons and is a powerful antioxidant to help fight off colds, sickness, and reverse oxidation in cells, which keeps the immune system strong.
- Decreases depression and anxiety. The smell of lemons and citrus has a calming effect on the brain that has been linked to decreasing depression and anxiety.
- Glowing vibrant skin. Getting rid of toxins in the body helps your skin radiate with a lively glow! Thanks to vitamin C and hydration, your skin will look brighter and can even help clear acne.
- Helps beat bad breath. Drinking lemon water can kill bad bacteria which can get rid of bad breath.
- Helps flush and prevent kidney stones. Lemons are made up of citric acid which is citrate. Citrate breaks down calcium, which is what kidney stones are made of, and also adds prevention against stone formation before they develop [source].
Key Ingredients
- Half a fresh lemon - squeezed for juice, and add the slices right to the mug for more flavor and a prettier drink.
- 8 ounces of filtered water - hot or warm for morning and night, chilled throughout the day. Warm absorbs into the body faster.
- Optional add-ins - 1 inch ginger, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, or fresh mint, basil, oregano or thyme.
As always, please see recipe card below for full ingredient list.
Substitutions and Variations
- Infuse it mid-day. Add 1 inch of ginger, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, or herbs such as fresh mint, basil, oregano or thyme for garnish. Let it set 3 to 4 minutes before drinking.
- Add cucumber and mint. That is exactly how my lemon cucumber mint detox water comes together, and it is lovely chilled.
- Add a pinch of salt. My lemon salt water drink is the same idea with minerals added.
- Drink it cold. Chilled lemon water is refreshing during the day, it just does not absorb as quickly as warm.
- Rotate it with other detox drinks. Try the cranberry juice detox water or a strawberry detox water when you want a change.
How to Make a Lemon Water Drink
Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
1Heat the water. Heat 1 cup of water to either a boil or warm and pour it into a mug or heat-proof glass cup.
2Add the lemon. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and lemon slices to the mug.
3Drink it at the right time. Enjoy warm or hot first thing in the morning when you awake and 20 minutes before eating or drinking coffee. Alternately consume right before bed on an empty stomach.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Rinse your mouth afterward. Lemons are acidic and can erode the enamel of teeth, so after drinking beverages with lemon make sure to rinse your mouth out with fresh water.
- Wait the 20 minutes. Drink warm lemon water first thing in the morning, then wait 20 minutes before eating or drinking anything else, even coffee.
- Warm beats chilled for absorption. Chilled lemon water does not absorb as quickly in the body, so save the cold version for mid-day sipping.
- Let infusions steep. If you add ginger, honey, apple cider vinegar or fresh herbs, let it set 3 to 4 minutes before drinking.
- Before bed works too. Drinking hot lemon water before bed releases digestive enzymes to settle the stomach for sleep mode, when the liver does its job best.
When to Drink It, Morning and Before Bed
One of the top benefits of lemon water in the morning is drinking this beverage warm or hot to jump start the digestive tract. It activates the enzymes in the stomach and assists the liver to start to produce bile. This bile improves digestion to assist in speeding up the metabolism, therefore also helping with weight loss. Warm water with lemon juice in the morning also helps to hydrate the body and pushes out toxins and free radicals that the body has processed after fasting when sleeping.
The body is completely interconnected so when the liver is functioning properly it is able to allow other vital organs to do their job. I suggest drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning then wait 20 minutes before eating or drinking anything else, even coffee.
Drinking hot lemon water before bed (or warm lemon water) releases digestive enzymes to settle the stomach for sleep mode. Sleep is the time when the body heals and the liver starts to do its job best. It works similar to drinking hot lemon water in the morning by activating the liver to cleanse the body and release toxins. Night time processes toxins and when we wake up we flush those toxins from our system. That is why good sleep is so important for healing, it is the time the body reboots its system! Pair it with an immune boosting dinner and you have a good night routine.
Lemon Water FAQs
Lemon water contains lemons which is citrus acid. Citrus acid is known to erode tooth enamel. To avoid harming teeth, make sure to rinse with extra water after drinking lemon water.
Drinking hot lemon water morning and night often shows results of better digestion, sleep, and weight loss. It also acts to detox the body as part of a healthy diet.
Both work, and they do slightly different jobs. In the morning it jump starts the digestive tract and activates the enzymes in the stomach after a night of fasting. Before bed it releases digestive enzymes to settle the stomach for sleep mode, which is when the body heals and the liver does its job best.
Yes water helps flush out toxins as water helps to push fiber through the digestive track and push toxins out of the body. Lemon activates enzymes to start the detoxification process through the liver. The liver is the organ that works to rid the body of toxins.
Drinking too much lemon water can lead to erosion of tooth enamel, tooth decay, acid reflux, and heartburn.
Anytime you increase water intake it stimulates intestines and the gut, helping to promote bowel movements and relieve constipation. Lemon contains pectin which supports bacteria, toxin removal, and colon health during bowel movements.
Other Recommended Detox Drink Recipes
I hope you enjoy this hot lemon water drink and all 10 benefits of lemon water! If you are enjoying it in the morning and evening, share your experience! Follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to be featured and for more recipe inspiration! And don't forget to rate the recipe in the recipe area and leave a comment below.
Warm or Hot Lemon Water Drink
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Plus get latest recipes and emails.
Equipment
- Teapot or saucepan to heat water
Ingredients
- ½ lemon
- 8 ounces filtered water hot or warm for morning and night, chilled throughout the day
Instructions
- Heat 1 cup of water to either a boil or warm and pour it in a mug or glass heat-proof cup. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and/or lemon slices.
- Enjoy warm or hot first thing in the morning when you awake and 20 minutes before eating or drinking coffee. Alternately consume right before bed on an empty stomach.
Notes
- Enjoy first thing in the morning 20 minutes before eating or drinking. Alternately consume before bed on an empty stomach, at least 20 minutes after consuming anything.
- In addition to the above basic ingredients, for extra health benefits to enjoy mid-day, add 1 inch ginger, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or herbs such as fresh mint, basil, oregano or thyme for garnish. Let set 3-4 minutes before drinking.
- Rinse with plain water after drinking to protect tooth enamel from citrus acid.
Pat K K Sensing says
Trying
Danielle Fahrenkrug, Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach says
Aweome!