16 Health Conditions Improved by Drinking Lemon Water

One of my most popular (and plagiarized) posts is about the health benefits of warm lemon water in the morning. The post discusses why you should drink lemon water but as it grew in popularity, people started leaving hundreds of helpful comments about how lemon water has actually improved their quality of life by helping to heal certain health conditions.

The discussion in the comment sections is now almost 500 deep and covers lemon water, but also everything from skincare recommendations to diet soda risks and more. It’s incredibly interesting if you have the time to read through it, but I’ve pulled out the most interesting points to mention here with the comment numbers, in case you want to look. These are first-hand accounts that I hope are helpful to you.

Interesting Lemon Water Health Benefits

1. Helps Heal Acne

Rub the juiced lemons on your face to cure acne, though it took one reader a few weeks to notice the difference. Others report that just adding lemon water into their diet has helped drastically clear their skin. Comment 268, 293, 298, 367

2. Appetite Suppression and Weight Loss

Some readers believe that drinking lemon water has suppressed their appetites enough to result in moderate weight loss. The vitamins and enzymes help regulate blood sugar in order to maintain normal weight levels. Comments 15, 17, 34, 88, 165

3. Flushes Out Kidney Stones

A variety of people have reported flushing out troublesome kidney stones that have been bothering them for a year. Comments 20, 46, 218, 230

4. Drink Lemon Water, Then Re-Purpose Rinds…On Your Skin

Some rub the rinds on their face and claim it acts as a natural facelift and eliminates scars, stretch marks, dark spots under eyes, enlarged pores and more. I have been afraid to try this, please share if you do. Comments 22, 199, 233, 386, 489

5. Gall Bladder Pain

Drinking lemon water while eating has helped some deal with painful gall bladder stones. Comments 30, 31

6. Cold and Flu Remedy

We know lemon water has antioxidants, however, one reader uses this mixture of a full lemon and a spoonful of manuka honey to ward off minor illness when he feels it coming on. Comment 33

7. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

One reader used to go through TUMS like candy and since drinking lemon water, two weeks later, she hasn’t needed them. Comment 76

8. Harder Finger Nails

Several people mention they feel lemon water has increased the hardness of nails and cleared up white spots seen on them. Comment 84

9. Fights Off Food-Borne Illnesses

This might be handy while traveling. Drink lemon water to avoid food poisoning. Comment 111

10. Helps Fight Back Spasm Pain

One reader started juicing lemons, including the rind, and claims that it helps manage her back pain. She doesn’t say how many she juices per day, but it is a lot. Definitely, ask your doctor about this one. However, another reader suffered a compressed vertebrae and the doctors were surprised that she was in less pain than is normal–she credits drinking lemon water. Comments 122, 124, 487

11. Helps Deal With Fibromyalgia

A combination of lemon water and yoga stretches helps a reader deal with exhaustion due to fibromyalgia. Comments 125, 422

12. Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris is a condition where one might experience red bumps on the back of the arm. One reader was advised to drink lemon water along with oil-pulling, dry brushing, and a raw, vegan diet to help combat this. Comment 143

13. Relieves Sore Muscles After Exercise

Have a hard workout? Squeeze a lemon into a glass of water and feel the pain ease. Comment 291

14. Reduces Joint Swelling And Pain

One reader reports that adding lemon water into his routine allows him greater mobility due to the reduction of swelling in his ankles and knees while another feels good enough to go jogging. Comment 321, 322, 462, 485

15. Reduces Alcohol Cravings

Whether you’re in recovery or just cutting back, one reader reports success by drinking lemon water at parties to help kick a craving for alcohol. Comment 411

16. Helps With Colitis

Colitis is an imbalance of acid/alkaline levels in the body so it’s no wonder that lemons can help with this. One reader juices one entire lemon into water first thing in the morning and is experiencing normal digestion, finally. Comment 429

General Lemon Water Tips

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1. Do not make it in advance because the beneficial enzymes will disappear with time. Comments 44, 52

2. Need a time-saver? Cut up lemons and freeze them for future use. Comment 54, 448

3. Don’t brush your teeth immediately after drinking lemon water. The reason is that the acid is still sitting on the enamel of your teeth. Rinse it off, if you have to brush. Readers cite a Dr. Oz show. Comments 100, 101, 127

4. After adding lemon water into a daily routine, bumps may appear on your skin which may be your body detoxifying. Comments 334, 335

5. After cycling through a number of lemon squeezers, I’ve shifted to a stainless steel lemon squeezer with over 1000 stellar reviews that I absolutely love and can toss into the dishwasher. I’ve been through peeling paint and corroded plastic with other brands so feel this is worth mentioning if you’re going to make drinking lemon water or lime water a daily habit.

Have a look at the original lemon water thread. Remember, this is the feedback of readers–always check with your health provider. If you’d like to leave a comment, doing so on the original post would help me track new tips, but here is OK, too!

13 Comments

Yes! Finally someone writes about acne diet.

As if the other things you listed weren’t enough reason to start this new healthy habit haha! I’m starting tomorrow – and I’m excited to get a jump start on my new years resolution as they pertain to health!

Lemons are a wonderful way to feel the sun shining even in the darkest month of the year. This is great advice! Thank you for the tips on using lemon and drinking lemon water first thing in the morning.

can i drink this anytime of the day or just in the morn to benefit. i like it better than tea or coffee and can drink itat night, too

It quenches my thirst right away. I have found that drinking lemon or lime water with a straw is helpful if you are worried about the effects it has on your tooth enamel. I don’t order lemon water in a restaurant because I’m not sure if they wash their lemons before cutting them up. Also, I don’t like the fact that they handel my lemons that go into my water! So I carry the lemon or lime juice that comes in the little plastic look alike container. Small enough to carry in your purse.

Can you use lemons juice from a bottle you buy at the store

sally says:

January 9, 2018 at 1:16 pm

it’s heavily proceed and heated, enzymes are destroyed.

Reply
1. sally says:
  
  January 9, 2018 at 1:17 pm
  
  spell checked goofed up. it should say processed not proceed.
  
  Reply

I have a heart problem for years and I’ve been taking blood thinners to help my blood flow. I’ve been seeing my doctors at least every two to three weeks for my INR blood test.
My normal level should be between 2 to 3. Taking tumeric / water & lemon help me maintain my INR reading. My doctor was really surprise.

I’ve been rubbing the lemon wedge over my face after squeezing the juice out and leaving on the pulpy juice for just a few minutes. My skin has never looked so clear and vibrant, and I could swear it has helped decrease wrinkles. It also feels like a daily, quick little acid peel.

Can I use bottle lemon Juice

Can i drink this anytime of the day or just in the morning to benefit. i like it better than tea or coffee and can drink it at night, too.

I started drinking lemon water 2 months ago and I noticed that not only does it make my skin glow,quench’s my thirst faster, it gives me more energy to make it through the day. It’s got to also help me with depression because I’m in a better state of mind, if that makes sense!

Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).