Honey Lemon Water: An effective remedy or urban myth?

Sipping on a hot cup of honey lemon water is both tasty and soothing. It has also been promoted as a healing elixir in the health and wellness world. There are claims that this drink can help melt fat, clear up acne and “flush out” toxins from the body.  
Both honey and lemons have many health benefits, causing some to wonder if this combination is beneficial to health as well.  
This article investigates the evidence on honey lemon water. 

Two Powerful and Natural Ingredients 
Both honey and lemons are popular foods typically used to flavor dishes and drinks.  
Honey is a thick, sweet liquid that is produced by honey bees and some other similar insects, though the type produced by honey bees is the most well known. It is commonly used as a natural substitute for processed sugar and also has some therapeutic uses, such as treating skin wounds and burns. 

Lemons are citrus fruits primarily produced for their tart juice. The pulp and rind can be used as well.  Most health benefits of this tangy fruit come from its high levels of vitamin C and other beneficial plant compounds.It is a common belief that combining these two ingredients in a drink can help with a long list of common ailments, including digestive issues, acne and weight gain.  

While honey and lemons have many potential health benefits and useful applications, not all claims about honey lemon water are backed by science. 

Mixing Honey With Lemon Water May Improve Health in Several Ways  
Both lemons and honey provide health benefits that are backed by scientific studies. Combining the two in a tasty drink may have some advantages as well.  
Below are some health claims about honey lemon water that are backed by science.  

It May Help With Weight Loss  
Drinking more water, including honey lemon water, may help you lose weight. Several studies have shown that increasing your water intake can increase your metabolism and cause you to feel fuller, both of which can help you shed pounds. 

What’s more, hydrating with honey lemon water may help you maintain a healthy weight. One study including 10,000 participants found that those who were not properly hydrated were more likely to be overweight or obese than participants who were adequately hydrated. 

What’s more, drinking honey lemon water can help fill you up before meals, leading to a reduction in overall calorie intake. Swapping high-calorie, sugary sodas and other sweetened drinks for honey lemon water may also lead to a reduction in calories and sugar. For example, a 12-ounce (253-gram) can of soda contains 110 calories and a whopping 30 grams of sugar. 
On the other hand, a 12-ounce serving of honey lemon water made with one teaspoon of honey contains around 25 calories and 6 grams of sugar. 

If your honey water contains less sugar than the beverages you would otherwise drink, it might help you consume fewer calories and lose weight. Importantly, it depends on how much honey you add to your water.  

It May Be Helpful When You Are Sick  
Due to the soothing qualities of honey and the high amount of vitamin C in lemons, drinking honey lemon water may be beneficial when you are feeling under the weather.  

Vitamin C plays a role in keeping your immune system healthy. For example, vitamin C helps stimulate the production of white blood cells that help your body fight infection. Also, some research suggests vitamin C can reduce the length of the common cold. Honey has been shown to reduce the severity and frequency of coughing in children with upper respiratory infections, though its effect on adults is unknown. 

Plus, a warm mug of honey lemon water is a soothing remedy for a sore throat and pleasant to drink when you are feeling sick.  

It Can Improve Digestive Health  
Being properly hydrated is essential for keeping your digestive system healthy. Dehydration can cause constipation, a common problem in children, pregnant women and the elderly. Adequate fluid intake is essential for keeping stools soft and preventing constipation.  

Drinking honey lemon water may help ease constipation by hydrating your body. Flavored beverages like honey lemon water can be especially helpful for hydrating children who do not like to drink 
plain water. 

Some research suggests that raw honey may have a beneficial effect on the friendly gut bacteria that help keep your digestive system healthy and in balance. For example, one study found that mice who were supplemented with raw honey had increased amounts of the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillius.