Raise your hand if you reach for a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea first thing when you wake up. We see almost every hand up! Caffeine is pretty much a given for most to open their sleepy eyes in the morning.
But what if we told you there was an even better ritual to add to your a.m. routine? One that not only helps kick that grogginess but provides some pretty impressive health benefits, too?
We’re talking about drinking warm or room temperature lemon water – yes, water with some fresh lemon juice squeezed in – when you rise and shine each day.
It may seem underwhelming compared to fancier matcha lattes, turmeric elixirs, and mushroom coffee that are all the hype right now (which are fabulous, too!).
But sometimes, the simplest natural food practices provide the most profound nourishing effects for our bodies without needing to run out and snag fancy ingredients or break open our wallets.
It Gets Your Digestive System Going
Waking up our bodies after a night of sleep by getting fluids and enzymes flowing is so crucial. And lemon juice’s molecular structure closely mirrors our own digestive juices and saliva. Pretty wild, right? So, it essentially tells our digestive system to “wake up!” first thing in the morning.
That sour lemon kickstarts the release of gastric juices to help get our bathroom business moving (if ya know what we mean). Daily lemon water encourages regularity, which we all know keeps our energy up and unwanted pounds down. Such a great vitamin C and potassium-rich alternative to that second cup of coffee that can back things up!
It Alkalizes Your Slightly Acidic Morning Body
We’re going to get a little sciency here for a minute. But stick with us!
Our blood maintains a very slightly alkaline state of around 7.35 to 7.45 pH to function properly and thrive. But every night when we sleep, our bodies naturally become ever so slightly more acidic as all our tissues repair, restore, and rebuild.
Still following us? Good.
So, drinking that tart lemon juice mixed into water actually helps nudge our pH levels back towards an alkaline state since citric acid gets metabolized into alkaline metabolites. Big word, the basic concept – it neutralizes what became acidic overnight. Ruling that pH sets the stage for awesome health all day long!
It Hydrates After Water Loss from Sleep
Remember how we just said our bodies work hard rebuilding and renewing our cells and tissues each night? Well, all that hustle leads to some water loss in the process.
After about 6-8 hours of shuteye, we wake up a little dehydrated. So, drinking a big tall glass of lemon water right when we rise replenishes those depleted stores and rehydrates us properly. Way better than chugging a diet soda or sugary bottle of juice with artificial colors that actually suck water out of your cells! No, thanks.
Proper daily hydration is linked to boosted mood, metabolism, and brain function. It also keeps our cells functioning properly and our skin glowing.
It Boosts Your Immune System
Something about that bright, invigorating scent of citrus and feeling ultra-hydrated also gives our immunity a solid kickstart in the morning. Lemons provide antioxidants like vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and phytochemicals that boost our bodies’ natural ability to fight off illnesses. So, cheers to fewer sick days!
It Aids in Good Digestion and Gut Health
A cup of warm lemon water serves up that same dose of vitamin C along with potassium and antioxidants, which helps food pass smoothly through our GI tract. Potassium helps those digestive enzymes we talked about earlier function their absolute best, too.
Some research also shows that consistent lemon water consumption stimulates the production of healthy gut bacteria. That microbiome balance sets the foundation for our mood, immunity, and even mental health.
It Freshens Bad Breath
It’s an extra perk that we’re sure you’re happy to hear about! There’s nothing quite like waking up to dragon breath first thing, bleh. Thankfully, sipping on that sour lemon water helps activate salivary glands, which loosens up bacteria, causing morning mouth malodor. Plus, vitamin C kills the germs and bacteria lingering in your mouth, so you can greet people with fresh breath in the a.m.
It Promotes Weight Loss
Lemons do contain small amounts of soluble fiber, known as pectin, along with plant compounds that fight hunger cravings. Staying hydrated instead of filling up on empty calorie beverages promotes a healthier weight. Plus, beginning your day with a liver and digestion-optimizing beverage like lemon water sets the stage for better nutrient absorption and less likelihood of cravings or overeating later on.
Wrap-up
We encourage you to give lemon water a try as your new morning go-to ritual for the next 2-4 weeks and see how your hair, skin, cravings, and energy transform. Consistency is key so try it daily upon rising before eating or drinking anything else. Get after it! We know you’ll turn into a total lemon water fan girl/guy once you experience the glorious benefits firsthand.