It seems as though every wellness-slash-health-slash-fitness blogger wakes up and does the exact same thing: Put the kettle on to boil and make a nice, warm mug of lemon water. While the practice appears to be pretty common-place for those in the know about health and wellness, this old potion might not actually be the best thing to drink first thing in the morning.
While proponents of the warm lemon water phenomena claim the mixture does everything from waking up the liver to detoxifying the body, the reality is that your body naturally does these functions on its own. Just like any trends, though, fads come and go in the health sector — it’s understandable how some trends are so easy to get caught up in, especially when they claim multiple benefits.
While drinking lemon water in the morning isn’t necessarily bad for you, it’s important to keep in mind the downsides of this morning ritual. Because they are so acidic, lemons can wear down tooth enamel. This means that it might be time to rethink the drink, especially if it’s something you’re doing every single morning. Sadly, lemon water might not be the perfect solution it’s cracked up to be, but there is some evidence pointing towards a cup of plain warm water as being beneficial for digestion nevertheless.
According to the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, drinking warm water can benefit the digestive tract. “As the water moves through your stomach and intestines, digestive organs are better hydrated and able to eliminate waste,” Healthline states. “Hot water can also dissolve and dissipate things you’ve eaten that your body might have had trouble digesting.”
Though the rumours about the multitude of benefits from lemon water might just be exactly that, it seems as though a lot of the purported benefits actually come from the warm water itself. In addition to taking good care of your digestive system first thing in the morning, drinking warm water when you wake up is a good way to kick-start your daily dose of hydration. Plus, eliminating lemon water form the equation might feel better on an empty stomach before you’ve had your breakfast.
Not to mention, there are many other benefits of a warm mug of water in the morning. According to NDTV, a glass or two just might help you lose weight — especially that stubborn belly fat. Medical News Today also lauds the benefits of warm water on the circulatory system. “Hot water is a vasodilator, meaning it expands the blood vessels, improving circulation,” the site says. “This can help muscles relax and reduce pain.”
Whether you’re already in the habit of a wake-me-up drink in the morning or not, it sounds like warm water is the best way to go. As far as actual, proven benefits are concerned, warm water far outshines lemon waters — without the added damage to your teeth. For those already used to drinking warm lemon water, just ditch the lemon for an easy transition. If you’re new to the idea altogether, why not try drinking a cup before your morning tea or coffee, and see how it suits you. Once you’re in the habit you won’t even think about it as an extra morning step, and your body will thank you in the long run.
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