We’re all aware that drinking lemon water has numerous health benefits. It aids in digestion, promotes hydration, improves your skin’s appearance, and much more. It’s likely that most of us consume it on a regular basis. Many of us, however, are unsure what will happen if we drink lemon water before bed?
Will it have an impact on my sleep? Is it safe, and if so, how much? or are there any side effects?
If you have any of these concerns, you’ve come to the right place. But first, let’s take a look at what makes lemons so powerful.
Also read: 9 Surprising Disadvantages of Drinking Lemon Water Daily
What makes lemon so powerful?
The lemon juice contains about 5% to 6% citric acid and has a pH of around 2.2, giving it a sour taste. Its sour flavor makes it a popular ingredient in drinks and desserts like lemonade and lemon meringue pie.
But why is lemon considered such a powerful fruit?
Vitamin C is the answer.
Lemons contain a lot of vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant that can help manage high blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, boost immunity, and improve mental health.
It is also high in potassium, which is one of your body’s most important minerals that helps in reducing blood pressure, protect against strokes, and prevent kidney stones.
Other essential nutrients found in lemon include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, folate, vitamin A, and selenium.
Nutritional value of lemon
| Nutrients | Quantity(100g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 29 |
| Fat | 0.3g |
| Cholesterol | 0g |
| Sodium | 2mg |
| Potassium | 138mg |
| Calcium | 8mg |
| Iron | 1mg |
Benefits of drinking lemon water before bed
Let’s see what benefits you can get from drinking lemon water before hitting your bed.
1. Improve your sleep
One of the leading causes of your productivity decline during work may be the lack of sleep and proper rest.
Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, which helps you sleep better. It has been discovered to reduce stress levels in the body, which is one of the causes of sleeplessness and poor sleep.
According to research, sleep disturbances are more common in people who have low vitamin C levels in their blood and are more likely to wake up in the middle of the night.
Drinking lemon water at night will help your body get enough vitamin C, allowing you to sleep better and more peacefully.
2. Helps with indigestion
Good digestion is essential to sleep well at night. Otherwise, you may find yourself rolling around in bed.
Drinking lemon water either after and before dinner can help boost the digestion process in your body and digest food more efficiently.
This could be because lemon contains a substance called pectin, which aids in the removal of waste from the body by promoting the production of digestive enzymes in the liver.
3. Help in dehydration
Most of us have found ourselves waking up in the middle of the night in search of a glass of water.
When you sleep, your body loses fluids in a variety of ways, which can result in minor dehydration and a thirsty feeling in the middle of the night or early in the morning.
Before going to bed, drinking lemon water can help you to keep your body hydrated.
The actual idea is to drink more water so that your body doesn’t crave water while sleeping and you can enjoy uninterrupted sleep. You are only adding lemon to water double its benefits and make it taste better.
4. You may wake up with high energy levels
Lemon water may be the answer for you if you have fluctuating energy levels. It has been shown to boost energy levels in the body, making you feel better after waking up.
5. May help you with cold or cough
Cold and cough are the most common illnesses among humans. Research has found that vitamin C present in lemon may help you fight your cold. It won’t get rid of your cold or cough, but it will keep it from getting worse. This, however, is not backed up by solid research.
In addition, you may need to drink a lot of lemon water to get rid of your cold, which is not recommended.
Are there any side effects?
Sometimes that seems beneficial to your body also has some side effects. When your intake is not correct or safe, these side effects appear.
While drinking lemon water at night is generally safe for most people, it can cause severe problems if consumed in large quantities or while taking any medication.
Lemon is highly acidic, and consuming too much of it can have negative consequences.
Here are some side effects that may occur:
1. Can damage tooth enamel.
Lemon has a high amount of citric acid that can erode your teeth enamel and damage your teeth. Most people have a habit of brushing their teeth before hitting their bed.
Brushing your teeth just after drinking lemon water can damage your tooth enamel.
Using a straw or not brushing your teeth for at least an hour after drinking lemon water is a better safety precaution one can take.
2. Can cause frequent urination
Drinking lemon water for some people can cause frequent urination resulting in interrupted sleep.
It may cause you to wake up several times throughout the night. However, there isn’t enough evidence to say whether lemon juice or water is the cause of frequent urination.
3. May cause headaches
According to some studies, drinking lemon water before bed can be problematic for migraine sufferers.
It may be due to the presence of tyramine in lemons, which is a migraine trigger. Drinking it may worsen your migraine condition or may cause headaches making it difficult to sleep.
It is recommended that you avoid drinking lemon water if you are taking any medication. As I am not a medical professional, I cannot provide you with an exact reason, but this is what most dietitians and physicians say.
As always, if you are on medication, it’s crucial that you consult with your doctor before following any diet.
How much lemon water should you drink?
This is a tough one to answer as there is no exact data on this, but according to most nutritionists drinking 2 lemon juice per day is enough to keep you healthy. Also, how well your body system processes the lemon water is dependent on you.
Is it better to drink lemon water at night or morning?
The answer is dependent on why you’re drinking it in the first place. People commonly drink lemon water in the morning to feel clean and refreshed. It aids in hydrating your body and getting your day started. It can give you a boost of energy and aid in the elimination of toxins from your body. As a result, drinking lemon water in the morning is beneficial.
However, if you drink it at night, it can help you sleep better. It can help you relax your body and mind, allowing you to sleep better. However, if you drink it at night, you could wake up in the middle of the night and need to use the bathroom.
Finally, the truth is that there is no actual time to drink lemon water. We can’t deny the fact that drinking lemon water is known to be healthy. So, whether you start your day with lemon water or drink it before bed, it will benefit you in both cases.
Related reading: 8 Brilliant Reasons to Start Your Morning With Lemon Water
Should you drink lemon water hot or cold?
Although the benefits of drinking lemon water hot or cold before bed do not differ significantly. However, some nutritionists advise that you should drink lemon water cold if your goal is to lose a few pounds.
Also, some say that drinking it cold may negatively impact your digestion process. However, there is a lack of solid research on both sides.
It’s better that you select the one that suits you the best.
Who should avoid drinking lemon water at night?
Because everyone’s bodies and lifestyles differ, drinking lemon water at night may be beneficial to one person but not to another.
While the problems may not always occur, it is important to be aware of the risks before beginning to drink lemon water at night.
Here are some of the reasons why you should not drink lemon water before going to bed.
- People who have weakened tooth enamel are at risk of tooth problems. It’s best if you consult your dentist before drinking lemon water
- Some people have difficulty tolerating the acidity of lemon water, so if you have a sensitive stomach, you should avoid drinking lemon water at night.
- The citric acid in lemons may interact with medications. If you are on medications, consult your doctor first.
Final words
Drinking lemon water any time of the day has been beneficial to most people. Don’t worry about whether drinking lemon water before bed is good or bad for you; everyone’s body and lifestyle are different.
Also drinking it at night does have a positive impact on your sleep unless you’re on medication or going through special treatment.
Follow the lemon water for a few days and see how your body reacts to it, as well as how you feel in the morning; if it’s beneficial, keep it up; if it’s not, change your drinking pattern and if you notice any side effects, consult your doctor.
References:
