Drinking lemon water in the morning has become a ritual for so many people looking to lose weight and boost their health. Bravo! What’s not to like? It’s got vitamin C and, hopefully, no seeds to choke on. Want to know the one major effect drinking lemon water has on your body and bladder?
Drumroll, please… Are you ready for it?
It’s hydrating. The end.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Colleen Christensen, RDN, says this healthy beverage, which internet influencers have promoted to magical elixir status, isn’t some super-duper detox fluid that’ll work wonders for your weight, complexion, urinary tract, and digestion. Myths, mostly, she says. (But it’s great for cleaning the fridge and ridding your disposal of garlic odors.)
But back to the health benefits. “The benefits of lemon water come from drinking of water, not the lemon itself,” Christensen says. “Drinking adequate amounts of water can help our bodies function properly, which can absolutely translate to bladder health, too!”
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One of those many bodily functions drinking lots of water helps is urination. A 2015 meta-analysis of studies in the journal Medicine found that high water intake dilutes urine concentration and urine acidity and takes away excess salt to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones by 60%. The analysis determined that drinking enough liquid (about a half-gallon) to produce 2.5L of urine output reduced the risk of kidney stones. (Don’t think you can drink a half-gallon of water in a day? Then try eating water. These Water-Rich Foods Will Help You Hydrate!)
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While other studies have suggested that drinking lemon juice or other acidic juice is associated with a reduction in kidney stone risk, this meta-analysis found no such link.
Christensen notes that drinking lemon water may worsen symptoms for people suffering from certain bladder issues.
“For those with interstitial cystitis (often called painful bladder syndrome), if symptoms are present, lemon water might not be the best idea for everyone,” says Christensen.
Lemon and other citrus juices, coffee, tea, alcohol, and some foods are triggers for bladder irritation. In general, however, lemon water is an excellent way to hydrate your body.
“If lemon water allows you to drink water in a more enjoyable way, have at it!” says Christensen.
Related: This is How Much Water You Need to Drink for Weight Loss
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