Is Lemon Water Good for Your Kidneys?

Lemons have many health benefits, but is lemon water good for your kidneys?

Yes, drinking lemon water may help prevent kidney disease. Lemons are rich in citrate, an organic acid that promotes an alkaline environment and may reduce the risk of kidney stone formation. 

Here’s how to promote healthy kidney function with lemon water.  

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones, or renal calculi, are hard deposits of minerals and salts that can form in the kidneys or urinary tract. 

There are different types of kidney stones, which are categorized based on their composition. Calcium oxalate stones are amongst the most common, accounting for around 80 percent of all kidney stone cases. 

These hardened depositions can vary in size and shape, ranging from the size of a grain of rice to larger kidney stones that can measure two inches in diameter.  

While small kidney stones may pass on their own, larger stones can obstruct the urinary tract. If left untreated, this can lead to tissue damage and chronic inflammation linked to an increased risk of various kidney diseases.    

Watch the video below to discover how enjoying a refreshing drink with lemon juice can aid 

kidney stone prevention. 

Kidney stones causes and symptoms

Kidney stones develop when urine becomes highly concentrated, which can cause minerals such as calcium to crystallize with oxalates or uric acid, leading to the formation of hard deposits.

Excessive intake of high-oxalate foods and beverages, such as beet tops, rhubarb, almonds, spinach, and tea, is a primary risk factor for kidney stones, especially in individuals with certain digestive and kidney diseases. 

Weak kidney function can cause ineffective clearance of urinary waste products, including oxalates and calcium, which are the main components of most kidney stones. This can be exacerbated by dehydration, which is linked to supersaturated urine and creates an ideal environment for stone formation.    

While small stones may not cause any apparent symptoms, larger kidney stones or those blocking urinary ducts can trigger severe pain and discomfort. 

Common signs and symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Intense pain in the back or side 

• Persistent need to urinate

• Painful urination 

• Bloody or foul-smelling urine 

• Nausea 

• Vomiting

• Fever 

Kidney stone obstruction can cause serious kidney infections and contributes to kidney disease associated with fluid retention, electrolyte imbalances, and high blood pressure.   

If you experience any of the symptoms indicative of kidney stones, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. 

Is drinking lemon water good for your kidneys?

Yes, there are various benefits of drinking lemon water for kidney health. 

Lemons are a rich source of citrates, or citric acid, a natural compound that can help prevent kidney stone formation by binding to calcium and inhibiting crystal growth.

Research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews confirms this claim and summarizes, “Citrate prevents new stone formation and reduces further stone growth in patients with residual kidney stones that predominantly contain oxalate.” 

Adding lemon juice to drinking water also has diuretic effects, meaning it stimulates urine production, which supports the effective clearance of urinary mineral concentrations.  

In addition, lemons offer plenty of vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that promotes the body’s acid-base balance. When the pH of urine becomes too acidic or alkaline, it can promote the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, thereby increasing the risk of kidney stones.

While naturally occurring vitamin C promotes kidney and overall health, it’s best to avoid vitamin C-containing supplements formulated with ascorbic acid. 

This synthetically manufactured form of vitamin C can raise oxalate concentration in the kidney, especially if taken in large doses, significantly increasing the risk of kidney stones. 

Lemon juice vs. whole lemon

It’s well known that drinking lemon juice boosts vitamin C, which is crucial for immune system function and helps the body absorb iron. However, you can maximize the health benefits of lemons by consuming the whole fruit. 

Eating whole lemons offers incredible benefits beyond preventing kidney stones.   

“The peel, pith, and seeds of lemons contain five times more nutrients than the juice and pulp,” explains Dr. Berg. “Whole lemons are an incredible source of phytonutrients with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.”  

Evidence published in the International Journal of Biotechnology and Allied Fields found that lemon peel is a significant dietary source of citrus flavonoids and polyphenols linked to various health advantages. 

The study suggests these plant compounds have potent antibacterial effects, promote balanced blood lipid levels, and improve digestion while supporting metabolic and heart health. 

The peel and pith of lemons are rich sources of pectin, a type of soluble fiber that, if combined with a balanced diet, can help achieve weight loss by promoting satiety and reducing fat accumulation.  

How to add more lemon to your diet

Although all citrus fruits contain citrate, lemons are among the best dietary sources of this organic acid, making them an excellent choice to promote healthy kidney function. 

Simply add freshly squeezed lemon juice to plain water and drink daily, ideally first thing in the morning or between meals. 

Consuming lemon juice before or with a meal is a common mistake when drinking lemon water. Although citrate is an acid, it’s converted into an alkaline compound that can temporarily reduce the stomach’s acidity and slow digestive processes.     

Combining apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon juice is another great way to add more lemon to your diet. 

Drinking apple cider vinegar and lemon water not only promotes kidney function but can help manage fatty liver disease, support a healthy body weight, and may lower the risk of gastrointestinal infections. 

To harness the nutritional value of whole lemons, it’s best to blend one lemon in cold water. Add stevia, monk fruit, or a handful of blueberries to counterbalance the tangy flavor, and enjoy a health-promoting beverage packed with vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and fiber.

However, it’s crucial to opt for organic lemons to minimize exposure to harmful pesticides and thoroughly wash lemon peel to remove any wax that is often applied to extend their shelf life.   

It’s also important to remember that too much lemon water can cause tooth enamel erosion. To minimize the contact of lemon juice with your teeth, it’s recommended to drink lemon water through a straw and rinse your mouth with water afterward. 

Lemon is also a versatile ingredient that enhances the flavor profile of various dishes, dressings, dips, and baked goods. 

Here are some delicious lemon recipes: 

• Keto Lemon Garlic Butter Steak and Spinach

• Keto Garlic Lemon Halibut

• Keto Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

• Lemon Vinaigrette 

• Coconut Lemon Macadamia Nut Fat Bomb 

• Keto Lemon Ricotta Cookie Cakes

Key takeaways

Is lemon water good for your kidneys? Yes, drinking lemon water daily is an excellent strategy to promote healthy kidney function and reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Lemons are an incredibly rich source of citric acid, an organic compound that helps prevent the crystallization of calcium and oxalate, the leading cause of kidney stone formation.  

You can maximize the benefits of lemons by consuming whole lemons rich in essential vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Simply blend one organic lemon with fresh water, add a little stevia or monk fruit, and enjoy a refreshing and health-promoting drink.  

FAQ

1. Is drinking lemon water good for your kidneys?

Yes, lemon water can help prevent kidney stone formation due to its high concentration of citric acid. This organic acid can inhibit the crystallization of calcium with compounds such as oxalate and uric acid, which is the leading cause of kidney stones. 

2. What happens if I drink lemon water every day?

Drinking lemon water every day can help prevent kidney stone formation, which is linked to a lower risk of kidney damage and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

In addition, lemon water contains vitamin C, which can improve skin health, strengthen immune functions, help maintain healthy blood vessels, and support iron absorption.  

3. Who should not drink lemon water?

Individuals with stomach ulcers or gastritis shouldn’t consume lemon water as it can potentially irritate the stomach lining.

In addition, people with alkalosis should refrain from drinking lemon water, as it could elevate the body’s alkalinity and disrupt the body’s acid-base balance. Alkalosis is most commonly caused by vomiting, potassium deficiency, hyperventilating, liver disease, and excessive use of antacids.   

4. Can I have lemon water while on keto?

Yes, lemon water is keto-approved. It’s low in carbs and won’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels. One ounce (30 milliliters) of lemon juice contains less than two grams of carbs, which won’t interfere with fat burning or kick you out of ketosis.  

5. Can lemon water help you get rid of kidney stones?

Drinking lemon water may help eliminate kidney stones. Lemon juice's high citric acid content has been found to not only prevent kidney stone formation but may also reduce the size of existing stones.

However, large stones may require surgery, and it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional if you suspect you may have developed kidney stones. 

6. Can I have lemon water while fasting?

Lemon water is a fasting-friendly beverage as it’s low in calories and won’t break your fast. 

Sources

1. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010057.pub2/full 

2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338362305_Lemon_Peel_A_Natural_Medicine