Published Date January 24, 2003

How good are lemon and honey water in the morning?

By Arpita Sudev

3 min read

Last update date: January 24, 2003

All about weight loss, vitamin C, iron, lemon and honey water
Lemon and honey water

What’s your morning concoction? We often start our mornings with a cup of coffee or tea. Instead, why not choose something healthy, refreshing, and good for the gut? Your stomach and gut are like sponges after 12 hours of not eating. They absorb what you give first. We wake up in the morning with a slow metabolism, high acidic stomach pH (pH 1 to 3), and dehydration. So, having a heavy meal or caffeine on an empty stomach can worsen the condition. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of having lemon and honey in the morning. [1]

How good are lemon and honey?

Lemons are a storehouse of vitamin C. They are enriched with Vitamin B6, copper, potassium, magnesium, zinc, flavonoids, antioxidants and phosphorus, while they are low on calories and fat. Vitamin C present in the lemon also helps in iron absorption. On the other hand, honey is traditionally used to treat several diseases. It has a potentially therapeutical role in treating infection owing to its phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The primary fibre (pectin) in lemons can improve gut health and slow the digestion of sugars and starches. These effects may result in reduced blood sugar levels. Flavonoids and polyphenols, which act as cancer-prevention agents, are two primary bioactive compounds in honey. Honey also contains pinocembrin, an antioxidant that benefits the human brain.[2] [6] [7]

Popular Claims on benefits of lemon & honey water

Lemon and honey are two fixings with numerous well-being benefits. It is a well-known conviction that combining them into one drink can improve your health. Sipping this warm beverage every morning effectively strengthens your digestive system and prevents indigestion and nausea.

  • Soothes throat and revives skin resilience

    Lemon and honey water is loaded with antibacterial properties. It acts as a natural cleanser that helps purify the blood and boost collagen, a common health concern during the winter season.
  • Boosts energy

    It helps in stabilizing energy levels after rigorous workouts.
  • Alleviates constipation

    It has the potential to cleanse the colon and flush out undigested food and other toxins from the body which also promotes digestion.
  • Boosts immunity

    Nutrients such as Vitamins C and B complex, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium provide a shield against infections.
  • Promotes weight loss

    It boosts metabolic activity that helps burn fat. 
  • Promotes heart health

    Vitamin C evades heart problems. It helps lower the bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body, preventing plaque deposition in the blood vessels.
  • Treats oedema and high blood pressure

    One glass of warm lemon honey water serves as a superb diuretic and helps in urine production. When taken on an empty stomach, it balances the sodium-potassium levels in the blood.[3] [4] [5]

Possible side effects if consumed in excess

  • Damages tooth enamel

    When consumed in excess, the citric acid in lemons can damage tooth enamel over time, making the teeth more prone to cavities. Tip: [Consider drinking it out of a straw to minimize the acid exposure on your teeth.]
  • Causes frequent urination

    Overdrinking can cause a diuretic effect. It may put more pressure on the kidney, leading to frequent urination. [8]
  • Causes heartburn

    Excess drinking can cause heartburn which is another type of acid reflux. They increase acid production in your stomach. 
  • Affects the bones

    Lemons are said to absorb the oil in the joints slowly, which can cause bone issues in the future. However, adding it in fewer quantities and adding honey help minimize the effects of lemon.
  • Increases iron in the blood

    Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, which is responsible for increasing the absorption of non-heme iron in the body. Excessive iron storage can damage your organs.
  • Triggers migraine

    Lemon juice is high in tyramine (a compound that can cause dangerously high blood pressure). If you are sensitive to tyramine, drinking lemon juice can trigger migraine headaches.[9]

Conclusion

It's, however, infrequent to experience any side effects of drinking lemon-honey water in the morning. But, to be safe, make sure you also talk to your health care provider, especially if you want to use lemon juice for medicinal purposes because consuming too much may cause some side effects as well. After all, honey is a source of sugar, so only consume it once a day. Otherwise, you can have it twice a day. Overall this drink is filled with health benefits that will help you become healthier.

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