It’s all about lemon juice.
Hey, I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. I simply learned this trick accidentally, so I decided to tell you to do it on purpose. After all, you might be like me and have water spots on your glasses and toxins in your liver. Not to worry – there’s a lemon for that.
Not sure if you have toxins in your liver? (And everybody looked down as if to examine their liver and check for toxins.) I can just about guarantee we can all use a good liver cleanse. We all breathe in toxins when we’re outside or when we’re around chemicals of any kind, and surely we’re ingesting them – even if we are very careful about what we eat.
Oh no!! Our livers are toxic! Relax. Our livers are made to process out toxins. Our world simply gives them a little more than they can handle sometimes. A lemon-liver boost is just what the doctor ordered.
For me, this happened literally. One of my natural doctors suggested that my liver and immune system would benefit from drinking lemon juice in a glass of water each day. It sounded easy enough – plus, I love that this is such a super inexpensive de-tox option. So I started adding lemon juice to a glass of water once or twice each day.
How’s the taste? Well, pucker up. I don’t add sugar (because wouldn’t that just defeat the purpose?) so my lemon juice water is quite tart. Now that I’m used to the taste though, I find it to be rather refreshing and I’ve started to crave it each day.
And then. Then!!!!!! I noticed that when I rinse my glass afterward, all the spots that had been hanging out were wiped away. Just like that. So it would appear that lemon juice cleanses my liver and my drinking glasses at the same time because it’s just so efficient and awesome like that.
Here. I took a picture of two drinking glasses to show you the difference. I considered also putting two livers side by side so we could all see the effectiveness of drinking lemon water but wouldn’t you know it. My camera battery died. Seriously. That’s the only reason I didn’t stage that picture. The only reason.
What have we learned here today?
- Laura has hard water.
- Our livers love lemons.
- Lemon juice beats hard water stains.
So here is my advice to you today (and tomorrow): Add about 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice to a 12 ounce glass of water. Drink it down. Do this once or twice or three times each day. Feel confident about this lovely boost you are giving your liver – helping it to do its job for you more effectively. And then watch as your drinking glasses become more sparkly each time you drink your lemon water.
After all, as they always say, if life gives you lemons – go cleanse your liver. Or your drinking glasses. Or both. At the same time. Rock on.
Ever tried drinking straight lemon water? How do you like it?!
I do this! Several months ago I began craving lemon, so I squeezed the juice of a whole lemon into a glass of water and drank up. I try to drink the juice of one lemon each day. I didn’t know until after I started doing it that it was good for the liver. Who knew? I guess my body did. I need to plant a lemon tree…
Some of my husband’s family in California have lemon trees. We won’t even attempt to plan one here in NE, but when we visit CA, we sure do enjoy it! :)
Add stevia to your lemon water. Just like lemonade!
Great idea!
A couple of years ago, I was having pain in my side. I believed it to be my gallbladder (my doctor was not at all helpful in diagnosing or treating). I read somewhere that lemon water could help. After a few weeks of constant pain that varied from a dull ache to something very intense, I tried it. Within an hour of drinking one glass of lemon water, the pain started to subside. I drank another glass the next morning, and the pain went away. It may have been coincidence, but I drink lemon water every day now.
Wow, that is a wonderful testimony to something as simple as drinking lemon water. I’m so glad you shared, and I’m especially glad you found relief from your pain!
Kellie, I had kidney stones a couple years ago and came across a book called the miracle gallbladder and liver cleanse. The cleanse I did used lemon and some other items but was really inexpensive and worked great, especially with a colonic done. I highly recommend looking into that. :-)
I just started, and put 3 drops of stevia in it, tastes great and still good for you!
I think my kids would like it this way too. Bonus!
I drink lemon water because it helps break up my kidney stones. I hate the lemon taste but I hate a bout with kidney stones more. The last time put me in the hospital. I found a way that makes it taste better for me. I started putting it in carbonated water. There is a big difference. Now I know it helps my liver too. Thanks!
Ugh, kidney stones. I love the idea of drinking lemon in carbonated water. Mmmm, the burn!
Thanks for this great tip Laura! This may or may not be a problem but I am wondering how to protect the enamel on my teeth from the acidic lemon juice when drinking it every day. I guess drink it through a straw maybe? I “swish” with coconut oil first thing a few times a month to remove toxins and clean my teeth and gums but don’t remember if that also builds enamel. Do you know? Thanks!
I, too, am concerned about my tooth enamel. I am blessed to have a lime tree in my yard, and I love putting cut-up limes in a pitcher of water to steep. I was drinking it daily and greatly enjoying it, but then I stopped because of this fear. :(
You can rinse your teeth with water afterward. Maybe you could even rinse (don’t brush) with some baking soda water afterwards.
Apparently if you drink the lemon juice in a glass of water, your teeth won’t be effected negatively. Sweet! (actually…sour.) ;)
Here’s an article I found about this subject: http://www.thebestjuicerreviews.com/lemon-juice-and-tooth-enamel.html
Xylitol is supposed to neutralize the acid. I drink lemon water in the AM and then have xylitol granules. Dr Ellie says it does effect your teeth so she recommend s xylitol gum or granules. By the way she wrote the book Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye and she also has a website.
I put lemon essential oil in my water everyday…would that be similar…or does it have to be lemon juice?
I’ve become leary of ingesting any essential oils, even lemon oil, simply because they are so very potent (uber concentrated!). I stick to using oils topically, and using lemon juice in my water as I feel better about this. :)
I just recently started drinking lemon water in the morning. I’m not sure where I read this but it seems to “keep things moving” for me. Sorry if too much TMI. I’ve also seen a slow loss of some stubborn weight but that might just be eating more veggies! I didn’t know about the cleaner glasses tip though! LOVE the tip. BTW I warm my water up before adding the lemon juice. I also add a little stevia and it is like a hot lemonade. YUM!
I’m a firm believer in that if the information helps someone else, that’s never TMI. Thanks for the additional tips!
I also use lemon (therapeutic grade) essential oil in my water daily…tastes delicious and naturally detoxifying too!
I used to do this, but now I’m a little leery of using essential oils internally. But the taste of that water with lemon oil in it – delish!
I put about 1/2 of a lemon (peel and all) in my green smoothies each day. The lemon makes the smoothie taste even better and well…now I know I’m helping my liver too. :)
Oh, great idea to add it to smoothies. I’ll definitely start doing this too!
You can also make a great hot drink with slices of ginger root, lemon and a dash of red pepper. Steep the ginger in boiling water for five minutes them add the lemon and dash of red pepper. It is a great drink with no caffeine or sugar. It sounds gross but it is really good. It really doesn’t need sugar.
In reference to the lemon and enamel on your teeth problem, brush before you drink the lemon water and yes, using a straw will help:)
Red pepper, huh? It does sound strange, but between that, the lemon, and the ginger root – what a healthy drink. I’ll have to get brave and try it!
More info or trivia about lemon juice! :)
According to a book titled The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Glycemic Index Weight Loss, acidic foods significantly lower the glycemic index of a higher carbohydrate food or meal by ONE-THIRD! (page 36) Acidic foods slow the emptying of your stomach, which slows down how quickly your blood sugar rises. So add something acidic like pickled anything or a salad dressing with vinegar or even sauerkraut and sourdough bread to your meal and it might be a wonderful boost to losing weight.
I have not thought about adding it to water, but it sounds like a great idea!
Well, how about that? Who knew one little lemon could be so beneficial!
Love lemon water!!!
Wish I would have known about this great beverage earlier. It’s so simple!
Great idea! I plan to start this today…wondering if I heat it a little and dissolve a bit of raw honey in the mix? Maybe help my liver and my allergies?!
YES! Go for it!
If you add a dash of sea salt (I like Real Salt) to your lemon water, it makes a great alternative to Gatorade or other sugary electrolyte drinks. I love the taste, but I’m sort of weird. :)
I just came across a homemade gatorade recipe yesterday that my boys are excited for me to try. I never thought about trying it with lemon juice. Perfect!
So glad this was not a suggestion to drink vinegar! Lemon I can do. :-)
Ew, ew, ew. No vinegar. That’s for salad dressing. ;)
I’ve been drinking lemon water for years and I love the taste. Not to mention, since my kiddos don’t care for the taste, they usually leave Momma’s drink alone. No more surprise floaties in my drinks anymore.????
This is how I feel about coffee. I have the whole pot to myself. :)
I LOVE lemon water. Actually it’s the only way I can drink an adequate amount of water. Except I only put the juice of 1 to 2 lemon wedges per glass and the water has to be cold (refrigerated or some ice). Does the concentration of lemon juice to water matter? Or just getting the 2 tablespoons per day?
I don’t think the concentration of the lemon/water matters, just so you’re getting the lemon. My understanding though is that plenty of water with the lemon is best so that the acid in the lemon doesn’t hurt the enamel on our teeth. :)
I know that citrus in general is hard on teeth enamel. I always try to brush my teeth after having any form of citrus.
Brushing your teeth right after acidic foods or drinks causes enamel erosion. Your tooth enamel are soften after that acidic meal so its best to wait before brushing.. Just thought I would share.
Would lime juice have the same benefits (to the glass and my liver)? I am not a huge fan of lemon water; tastes like dish soap to me :)
Hehe, dish soap. ;) Well, my understanding is that limes have some different healing properties, but they are also very good – so go for it!
I love lemon water! We have great access to lemons here in Phoenix. They are usually cheap in the store and many people have lemon trees and are willing to share. I made some delicious homemade lemonade the other day! I should probably do without the sugar though. . . I am afraid I will pack on all the baby weight here at the end, my sweet tooth has been out of control lately! I do often just squeeze a bit of lemon into my water. :) I always put vinegar in the dishwasher to help with hard water spots, but the soap we bought most recently has been leaving spots again, especially with our new spinach smoothie habit. I will have to try the lemon. I know Natasha Hackett told me a bunch of things it works great at cleaning, including grease and the microwave. :)
Ok, now I’m craving a tall glass of lemon water ???????????? I tried, really tried, to drink apple cider vinegar every day but just couldn’t get used to the taste. Thanks for the info!
Love your humor! :)
I have a post scheduled very soon about how we add frozen lemon slices to our water. I’m sure that it isn’t as cleansing as your method but we have come to enjoy our lemon flavored water.
Now I know that my liver is happy and why my glasses are so clean. :)
Thanks for the tip. I gave this a try and I like it! I’ve always liked a little lemon water but never put 2 tbl of lemon in before. That seemed like a lot of lemon juice but it tasted great. I could drink this all day – yum!
Do you have to use juice from a real lemon or can you use lemon juice from a bottle you buy off the shelf? I do not want to take the time to squeeze a lemon every day.
Lemon juice from a bottle is fine. Just be sure it is 100% juice. I have found it difficult to find bottle lemon juice without added stuff.
I love lemon & water with a little shaved ginger root as well. I just slice and squeeze the lemon…then grate the ginger root and add water. I didn’t realize that it had cleansing properties though! Bonus! Thanks for the info!