The Benefits of Morning Lemon Water for Liver Health: Don’t Start Your Day Without It

Ahh. Morning lemon water. Nearly all health practitioners, spas, and health retreats recommend it. The lemon’s origin can be traced back to northern India and later Europe around the second century A.D. during the time of Ancient Rome. Lemons made their way to California and Florida by the 1800s. And I’m so grateful for that!

The roots of lemon trees go deep into the earth where they extract precious trace minerals. These nutrients are passed to you when you eat the fruit. Lemons are loaded with nutrients like highly absorbable vitamin C, folate, potassium, fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, minerals, and essential oils. They also contain citrate (or citric acid) which may help prevent calcium from forming kidney stones. Lemons have a wide range of health benefits.

Lemon’s Many Health Benefits

• Lemons are hydrating, providing electrolyte minerals for cells.
• Lemons may help expel mucus and are beneficial for congestion.
• Some evidence shows that lemons may help treat gallstones.
• The flavonoids and vitamin C in lemons support the growth of white blood cells, enhancing immune function.
• The d-limonene in lemon peels has anti-cancer properties and is anti-bacterial (especially beneficial for oral health).
• Lemons may help balance blood sugar and cholesterol profile, lowering triglycerides and LDL while increasing HDL. The pectin fiber helps reduce cholesterol by increasing the excretion of bile acids (learn more about bile below).
• Studies show that lemon can alter feelings of sadness and lift your spirits. They may also improve cognitive function.
• Lemons have many benefits for your skin and can help maintain a youthful glow.
• Lemons can promote diversity in your gut bacteria, improving digestive health.

Morning Lemon Water Helps Liver Function

Many people today are struggling with sluggish liver, fatty liver, or fibrosis (scarring of the liver). This is a result of lifestyle and diet and can be reversed. Morning lemon water is widely recommended because of its beneficial effects on liver health. A recent study in mice (2017) found that lemon juice may reduce alcohol-related liver injury. Other animal studies also show liver benefits:

• The flavonoid naringenin may decrease fat storage in the liver.
• Another flavonoid rutin has been shown to increase liver antioxidant defenses.
• Lemon may help decrease liver enzymes and improve liver cell damage.

Basically, morning lemon water helps your body detox by activating bile flow. Bile is produced by the liver then stored in the gallbladder. It helps break down fats, a bit like how dish soap helps clean fat residue off dishes. Increased bile flow helps the body remove fat-soluble toxins. So, lemon water is considered a cleanser for the liver, kidneys, spleen, and gallbladder. Morning lemon water is also beautifully hydrating after a long night’s sleep.

How to Make Morning Lemon Water

1. Purchase organic lemons (because you will be eating some lemon peel).
2. Wash them using 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water or one dropper of Lugol’s iodine.
3. Slice the lemon in half.
4. Squeeze the juice half the lemon into a glass of warm (not hot) water. Add a fresh lemon slice. Store the other half lemon for the next day.
5. After you drink your lemon water, eat the two half lemon slices.
6. Wait about 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else.

I recommend drinking an 8-10 ounce glass of lemon water every morning upon waking. Make this one of your new healthy habits.

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