Drinking warm lemon water in the morning: Good for kidney disease or harmful?

Lemon water can provide a variety of health benefits, from aiding digestion to improving blood sugar control. Many health-conscious people make a habit of drinking warm lemon water in the morning.

And the question often asked by kidney patients is: Is lemon good or bad for kidney disease?

Here, Dr. Prashant Dheerendra, a famous Indian nephrologist who used to work at the Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital system, will answer this question.

Drinking lemon juice is good for kidney patients

Photo: AI

Is drinking lemon water good for kidney disease?

Dr. Dheerendra's answer is: "Yes," since lemons are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and citric acid, drinking lemon juice is not dangerous for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to the website of Dharma Kidney Care Hospital (India).

Here are some benefits of lemon related to kidney disease.

Prevent kidney stones. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) notes that the citric acid in lemons can help prevent kidney stones. According to the organization, 1 in 10 people have developed kidney stones. Lemons are high in citrate, a substance that can help prevent the formation of the most common type of kidney stone, calcium oxalate.

Research shows that people with a history of kidney stones who drink 1/2 cup of lemon juice every day have a lower risk of developing kidney stones again. Therefore, the NKF recommends drinking lemon juice every day to prevent kidney stones, especially if you have had kidney stones in the past.

Lemon does not affect creatinine levels.

The kidneys are responsible for excreting creatinine from the blood so that it does not build up in excess. For people with high creatinine levels, consuming lemon does not increase creatinine.

Therefore, drinking lemon water does not harm creatinine levels.

Are lemons harmful for chronic kidney disease?

Overall, drinking lemon water does not worsen the condition of CKD patients, according to Dharma Kidney Care.

However, consuming too much lemon can cause some other health problems like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea due to excessive consumption of vitamin C.

Lemon juice can also act as a diuretic, meaning it will increase fluid excretion in the body, leading to frequent urination.

You should drink lemon water as soon as you wake up in the morning.

Photo: AI

When should I drink lemon water?

Lemon creates an alkaline environment in the body, so it is best to drink it first thing in the morning. Because when you wake up after a night's sleep, your body goes through a detoxification process and taking in alkaline lemon will help balance your body's pH.

Lemon juice can also be taken in combination with ginger or honey. The antioxidants and antibacterial properties in these foods support healthy kidney function.

So, lemons can be part of a kidney-friendly diet. Drinking lemon water has many health benefits and is not harmful to the kidneys. Lemons can increase hydration, prevent kidney stones, balance the body's pH, and provide antioxidants that protect cells from damage.

In general, kidney disease patients can consume lemon in moderation without any problems, according to Dharma Kidney Care.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/uong-nuoc-chanh-am-buoi-sang-tot-cho-benh-than-hay-gay-hai-185250731231003834.htm