Does Hot Lemon Water Have Any Health Benefits?

Q: I’ve heard that drinking hot lemon water first thing in the morning can have various health benefits. Is that true?

In a video on TikTok, a woman has a lemon in one hand and a mug in the other as she espouses the benefits of her beverage: Within a week of drinking hot lemon water daily, she said, you can expect to burn more calories; become more hydrated; harbor fewer toxins; and have a boosted immune system, better digestion, less bloating, smoother skin and more energy and focus.

Across social media, there are countless videos like it. But while sipping warm lemon water can be a refreshing and healthy way to start the day, the evidence for many of its benefits does not hold up, said Emily Ho, a professor of nutrition and the director of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Here are a few of the main claims associated with hot lemon water, and whether there is — or isn’t — research to back them.

Hydration

Hot lemon water’s main nutritional asset is that it’s hydrating, Dr. Ho said. That’s especially beneficial first thing in the morning, she added, when “you haven’t had anything to drink all night.”

The body needs to be hydrated to maintain its temperature, lubricate and cushion the joints, and remove waste through processes like sweating and urination. Good hydration is also associated with healthier skin, better mood and sharper thinking.