The new year is just around the corner – a time where a lot of people make resolutions to get healthier and lose weight… The gyms get CRAZY, wellness books jump to the top of best seller lists, and people get radical with their diets. A lot of us start doing all sorts of things we don’t intend on doing for the rest of our lives. This is where the problem lies with new year’s resolutions.
Instead of doing something just because it’s the new year – why not take it a step further and develop a healthy habit for the rest of your life? This might seem crazy and idealistic considering the rate of people that fall off the wagon come March, but it’s really not. Especially since your health should be your number one priority for the rest of your life. Period.
For the next few days – I will share some habits that are really worth developing this year and strategies that will hopefully help you stick to them beyond this year’s resolutions.
Here’s the first one…
#1 Drink Warm Lemon Water and Cayenne Pepper first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
How does one successfully do this every single day?
Every night I fill my electric tea pot with filtered water, place one lemon on the counter from the fridge, along with the cayenne pepper bottle and a cup filled half way with water. As soon as I get up in the morning, I put on my robe on and walk into the kitchen to turn the electric kettle on. I then go into the bathroom and by the time I finish putting in my contact lenses and splash my face with water to wake up – the electric kettle has finished warming up my water. I then pour the water in the glass half full with room temperature water, squeeze one half of the lemon on top, sprinkle with cayenne and drink.
I usually drink this mixture with a straw, so my teeth aren’t exposed to the acid and I gulp down at least 15 ounces. Followed by another 8 ounces of water later before I eat or drink anything else. I’ve done this every morning for last 5 years. I even bring lemons with me when I am on vacation or when I am not sleeping in my own house. I just throw a few lemons right into my luggage – it’s too easy not to do…
Adopting this daily habit has amazing health benefits. Imagine getting sick less, feeling lighter, having regular eliminations, clearer skin, more energy and having a boost in your metabolism leading to weight loss over time…
Doing this ritual every morning provides a super stimulant to the liver, your main detoxing organ in the body. Your liver will release uric acid and create bile to safely eliminate environmental and lifestyle toxins that would otherwise be trapped in your digestive system longer. Remember keeping your liver and digestive system clean and in optimal condition will help your body prevent diseases like cancer in the future. Combining cayenne with lemon increases the detoxing effect and raises the temperature of your body increasing your metabolism.
Drinking this combination will cleanse your body every single day safely and naturally. I plan to do it for the rest of my life. Join me and watch your vitality increase!
A few more tips about lemons –
- Store your organic lemons in the fridge – they will last longer because they do not contain fungicide like conventional lemons. I take one lemon out of the fridge each night, because lemon at room temperature is easier to juice.
- Remember not to squeeze your lemon directly into boiling water, you will destroy the live enzymes in the lemon. This is why I use half of water at room temperature and half hot water.
- Using a stainless steel lemon juicer will allow you to get most of the juice from the lemon and is much easier on your hands too. You can get one off the Food Babe Shop here.
Want more motivation? Check out these articles on the additional benefits of drinking lemon water –
Who’s already adopted this habit? I’d love to know! Leave a comment here or visit my Facebook Fan Page and share your story!
When life gives you lemons, make lemon water with cayenne. Duh. 🙂
Food Babe
P.S. Check out 4 other habits that will change your life!
Habit #2, Habit #3, Habit #4 and Habit #5….
I have been drinking warm lemon water for a while but learned to add cayenne pepper thanks to you!
You are welcome! Don’t you love getting a little metabolism boost every day!?!
I’ve been drinking lemon-water for over 20-yrs, I will try it w/the cayenne…
This is delicious! Enjoying a cup right now. But I just warmed the water in the microwave.
Hi Katherine! Thanks for stopping by – so glad you think it is delicious. Remember not to warm the lemon juice in the microwave, it will kill the live enzymes and other nutrients… and to drink it on an empty stomach! Happy New Year!
Is this as effective when drunk NOT on an empty stomach? For example if I were to have it in the afternoon? Sometimes I find myself rushing in the morning that I completely forget to drink lemon water (a practice which I took after reading your blog!) Is it even worth it to drink it in the afternoon? Or after breakfast?
It’s definitely not as effective. After 8 or 9 hours of sleep – your liver is not taxed with other substances it needs to process – providing a clean slate for complete renewal and detoxification. One of the key benefits of this is elimination of your bowels, if you take it later in the day once your stomach is full of food – this may not happen. You’ll still get other benefits from the lemon and cayenne – but not the greater detox or elimination effects.
Hi, thanks for the informative information…..I resently started drinking the Cayenne pepper and lemon, but wasn’t consistent with it….after reading your info..I will certainly stick with it daily….the reason prompted me in the first place was a pamphlet I received in the mail about the cayenne pepper actually and how it is so good for your heart and how it was to go straight to that area upon drinking it, praying that’s true, but never the less it has good benefits, and also, now that I know how to take it really helps. Question, may I drink the cayenne pepper in boiling water alone with out the lemon juice….thank you for caring and I will await your response.
I drink warm water with lemon juice, but never use the cayenne.
I use bottled organic lemon juice, while is not as good. But, where I live, organic lemons are about impossible to find.
Since lemons have a thicker skin – I think probably be better just to use the non-organic lemons in your case. Is the bottled organic lemon juice pasteurized? If so – this would completely eliminate the live enzymes beneficial to the body…
I didn’t even think about the pasteurization getting rid of ALL the benefits.
love this!!! and i already know that I am going to love this sequence of posts! Thank you Food Babe and Happy almost New Year!!!!
Hi Annie! Hope you are doing wonderfully well! Happy (almost) New Years to you too!
Love this idea and am definitely willing to give it a try. Question – some mornings are so rushed, how long do you feel like you need to wait to eat after this?
Hi Amber – Just 10 mins or so will do the trick! Good Luck!
I drink lemon water every morning, but had no idea about the use of cayenne pepper as well, I’ll have to try it 🙂
Hi Jen – You’ll love it! If you can take the spice 🙂
thanks for the tip! I used to drink apple cider vinegar in the morning, but got out of the habit. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series…
Thanks Liz! Apple Cider Vinegar is wonderful for your health too – I think it might have a similar effect as the lemon water… 🙂
You have orthorexia and need help. Seek an eating disorders clinic. Get a life. Anyone who has this much time to think about themselves is sick. Go do something for someone else and stop writing about yourself and what you think is so fucking important. It’s not. Fucking narcissist. Do you know how many pro-ana websites read and thrive off of posts like these?? Do you realize how many girls and women you are negatively influencing and causing to develop eating disorders?? Half of them are probably skipping breakfast entirely and just drinking hot water. It’s sick. Stupid snob elitist athletes like you don’t understand what you are doing because your so self-absorbed and full of yourself.
sheesh can’t you delete these things food babe? LOVE this and going to try it the second I can get to the grocery store! Saw you on Charlotte Video Project!
Healthy dialogue, eh? 🙂 Thanks Hillary – glad you found me!
Why do you have to leave negative comments like this? She’s helping people cleanse, not develop food disorders. She even said eat 10 minutes later. Obviously your just a negative grumpy person. Good luck with your life like that. Why don’t u research how to cure your bad personality. Thanks for the tip food babe I feel great!!
She never said to only drink water and starve yourself…. Food Babe is here to educate, and help people lead healthier lives through natural means. If she was telling us to stick our index finger down our throats and expel our stomach contents then I’d be concerned, but she’s asking people to drink warm water and lemon before breakfast… not even a big deal.
Somebody musta woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Kat, try some lemon juice! You’ll be in a better mood. 🙂
Hi Kat how are you doing? lol
First of all she isn’t saying that this replaces food, if you can read correctly, and not be so self absorbed yourself.. it is only a daily starter drink for cleansing the body. She’s not promoting for weight loss if you read the article that’s one of the first things pointed out, she has included be benefits for liver cleansing and immune boosting effects. Don’t comment if you don’t know what your talking about, at the end of the day , point blank she did not say replace a meal with this drink. She only stated start your day with it , wait bout 10 to 15 min then eat breakfast.
Hi Foodbabe. I am shocked to read what Kat wrote! What an idiot! She obviously hasn’t read any of your previous posts! I love reading all your posts and blog entries. Keep up with the great work and look forward to your next tip! PS. I already adopted this habit through your previous post of your daily eats! 🙂
Sally – Thanks for your kind words! There will always be haters! 🙂 I love how you have been doing this habit!!! Sooooo awesome – keep it up!!! 🙂
I agree! Boo for haters! I just found this site and am SO excited to begin eating better!
I just wanted to say that while everyone may not agree with your opinions or your attitudes, the fact that you are attempting to uncover information about health and wellbeing not readily available to the public is admirable.
Thanks for stopping by L! I appreciate you taking the time to tell me this.
I agree with you L, most folk want to get paid just giving alittle info on anything, I know this world is all about the buck, but gee, why not want to help your fellow man with HEALTHFUL info with out charging him all the time…..
I saw on your About Me page that you have an LLC. What was it like to establish an LLC in your state? What made you decide to form an LLC?
The addition of cayenne is fine unless you have a sensitivity to nightshades. Joint pain from peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant is not fun.
Thanks for pointing this out Linda…This is true – if you have arthritis or joint issues I would keep the habit to hot water with lemon only.
I’ve been drinking this in the mornings but I like to add honey to it, so delicious!
Hi Jessica! That’s awesome! If you can keep going without the honey – I’d do that 🙂
Honey is healthy, more so if its organic or raw honey. Honey in fact increases the health benefits that you get from drinking lemon water. If it was sugar, then your comment sounds logical. But honey, its good to be taken with lemon water….. Having lemon/honey warm water first thing in the morning is an age old technique propagated for good health
why? does it negate the effects of the lemon/cayenne?
I’m curious how much lemon and how much cayenne pepper you recommend? I think I did too much of each this morning and had a hard time getting it down.
Just a juice of half a lemon and a sprinkle or two of cayenne. Maybe start with a quarter lemon and no cayenne?
I am wondering if your tummy is supposed to gurgle and your insides supposed to burn a little…LOL.. I used 8 oz of water with half a lemon and about a pinch of cayenne. No real problem getting down but tummy is growling and gurgling. Is this normal the first time around?
I had this problem at first, too, but I persisted a few days and it went away. I guess I just got used to it? Two things that helped were to make sure that the lemon juice was well-strained so that it didn’t have any pulp bits, and to drink it at a temperature closer to room temp at first, and then work my way to warm. Oh–and also make sure you’re using a really large straw and shoot it all the way to the back of your throat so you barely even taste it. Then swish with plain water afterwards to protect the enamel on your teeth. I’ve been doing this for about three months now, and it’s not like I have learned to ENJOY drinking this first thing in the morning…but I do it anyway because I have noticed a major increase in my energy since starting this habit. I am way less tired during the day, even if I didn’t get as much sleep as I should have the night before. It has more of a wake-me-up effect than drinking coffee!
Is it okay to drink this with cold/room temperature water? I squeeze lemin juice in my water bottlee every morning. Will this have the same effect?
Room temperature or warm water is really best.
I usually drink room-temperature water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and let it just sit for an hour or so; this seems like an easy addition for me with one minor adjustment… why hot water? I am sleepy-eyed first thing in the morning and if this could be done with room-temp water alone that’d be a whole lot easier. 🙂
Room temperature is great if you don’t like hot – Hot stimulates your digestive system a little quicker.
I have read about cleanses and I know often times you see a lemon / cayenne combination as a juice but never tried it. I often drink water with lemon in it, how is warming the water different than room temp or cold (other than perhaps the volume of lemon)? Is there truly a difference with having the water warm? Just curious really on that one.
Also, in regards to preparation, would it be OK to add the lemon to the room temp water the night before or would there be a loss in the benefits etc.? I want to add this my routine and if I can save me as much time in the morning as possible, the more likely I will be able to make this stick.
Thanks and I LOVE your blog, I have learned immense amounts of information out here already.
I would definitely wait to add to the lemon until your ready. Raw foods have beneficial live enzymes that start dying once exposed to oxygen. Also – the warm water stimulates your digestive system a little faster.
Do you know…is this safe to do if your pregnant or breastfeeding? I don’t see why it wouldn’t be, I always eat lots of spicy foods and peppers throughout my pregnancies (this is my third) but not when breastfeeding, I am just wondering about the detoxification property of this…..thanks for any info!!
I don’t know of any issues with doing this while pregnant or breastfeeding (but I am not a doctor… so you might want to check)…You could still do just the lemon without the cayenne while your breastfeeding too! Good Luck.
Glad you asked this question I was wondering the same thing!!
I recently found your site and have really enjoyed it. I found your habits that you blogged about and have incorporated them into my routine. While reading these comments I noticed the comment about cayenne pepper and joint pain. While I realize the original comment was specific to nightshades, your comment seemed to reference general joint pain. I thought cayenne pepper was beneficial to joint pain. Would love to hear your thoughts and/or clarification. Below is a website reference to the benefits of cayenne pepper and joint pain. Thank you!
http://www.livestrong.com/article/521683-cayenne-and-joints/
Laura – this is a really great point that you share… Even though Cayenne is a nightshade – it is considered beneficial for those experiencing joint pain and preventing it all together. Some people however, are crazy sensitive to nightshades and it can cause pain for them because it releases alkaloid chemicals these people are allergic to…and for those people I recommend just the lemon.
I’ve been doing this for a month now, learned about it from Dr. Oz but never thought to add cayenne. Nice tip! Thanks.
Wow… didn’t know Dr. Oz agrees… awesome! Here’s some more info I just found recently – enjoy!
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4769/Why-You-Should-Drink-Warm-Water-Lemon.html
I started this morning and while it’s not bad, I definitely used a little too much cayenne. 🙂 I was pretty grateful for the straw as it made it much easier to get down quickly. Once I get this habit down, I’ll move onto the next one. I’m pretty excited to see how much better I feel!
How’s it going – have you gotten used to it yet?
Should you drink this slowly or is it okay to drink it fast?
Not too fast… enjoy it.
I really want to try this! Question – how do you recommend heating the water if you don’t have an electric kettle? Would the microwave be OK? Also, you said you drink 15oz. Does this mean you do 7.5oz of room temp water + 7.5oz of hot water?
Thanks!!
Half and half usual works just great… and no I wouldn’t microwave it. I would eat some over the stove. Good Luck!
Just curious? Why can’t you microwave? I started this tip today and microwaved the water. I am trying to make this the most time efficient since my mornings are really busy.
This is for Cara! Some people just do not understand that the microwave was not intended to replace your Electric or Gas Stoves! Microwaves are a quick fix , but not for everyday or every meal or snack! If you research your Electric Microwave was you will see how bad it is for you stripping you of the nutrients that your body needs! You are not ALLOWED TO HEAT A BABIES BOTTLE EVERY TIME IN A MICROWAVE , YOUR CHILD WILL GO WITHOUT THE important nutrients that they need to grow! ( SO THOSE OF YOU THAT KEEP ASKING WHY??? ) PLEASE READ UP ON HOW HEALTHY YOUR MICROWAVE IS !!!
Hi Food Babe! LOVE your blog and all the great tips! Question: I got the solaray cool cayenne capsules a while back that I used when I tried the Master Cleanse…I had the most terrible stomach pains during that cleanse, bad enough I would have to use the breathing techniques used in labor just to get through them! I figured it was my body detoxing or maybe even the Triphala I was taking during the cleanse. I made it through 8 days of the Master Cleanse, but would NEVER do it again! Now I still have these cayenne capsules and wanted to use them in place of the cayenne pepper in your morning lemon water. BUT after taking 2 of them this morning with my lemon water, the terribly familiar stomach pain came back. The pain is in the upper left side of my stomach and comes in strange waves, a lot like contractions! It leaves a dull aching in my lower back and usually lasts about 30 mins. Do you know why I would react like this? I cant find a review online by anyone else who has experienced this. Now that Ive figured out what gave me the pain I definitely wont be using these again. Do you think cayenne pepper in the lemon water would do the same? How much cayenne do you use? I hope you have some input on this topic, Id really like to take advantage of the metabolic boost of cayenne, but not if all this pain accompanies it! Thanks!
Yikes – sorry to hear about your pain. I am not sure why you are experiencing this, I would check with your medical professional. Feel better.
this is Gall bladder pain! skip the spice, and make sure that you are not eating anything too high fat, or drinking sodas. those will all make a gall bladder attack worse.
=D I found your site through 100 days of real food. Love all your tips so far. Just wondering about this one though – I have really bad heartburn and have to take meds to keep it under control (it went nuts when I was recently pregnant). Do you think the cayenne and lemon will aggravate this condition? I’ve been doing the real food pledge and it is somewhat better but I’m also not pregnant anymore, so that is probably helping a lot. Just wondering what your thoughts were before I do it and make it flair up again.
I started doing this a couple weeks ago as I was getting over being sick. An awesome and very surprising side effect was it helped me kick caffeine. No withdrawal headaches, no mid afternoon slump. Without changing anything else in my routine or eatings/sleeping habits, my energy level went way up. I’ve been hounding all my friends to try it.
I tried it this morning and only got about half of it down before I started feeling warm, sweating, and then sneezed about 6 or 7 times. About 30 minutes later I felt normal again. I’m wondering if I used too much cayenne? Do you know if this is a normal reaction?
How much did you use?! Just use a pinch 🙂 or you can leave it out if you are too sensitive! Good Luck!
Yes this morning I used just a sprinkle and it was a lot easier to drink. I also used a lemon juicer instead of my hands so I was able to extract more lemon juice. No sneezing this morning either 🙂
Hey FoodBabe! I am going to give this a try but I wanted to know – what are your thoughts on cayenne pills. I had heard of the benefits of cayenne and purchased Solaray Cool Cayenne with Butcher’s Broom. I was moreso concerned that it would affect my stomach. It contains 320mg of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and 320 mg of Butcher’s Broom Root (Ruscus aculeatus) as well as Gelatin Capsule, Cellulose, Annatto, Ginger Root, & Guar Gum. And the packaging claims Green Screened – not sure what that means. Anyway, what are your thoughts of using these pills (or similar) for those who would like the added benefits but don’t always like the spice? Or at least until I can finish them up?
I haven’t researched taking the pill extensively, since I don’t mind the taste. But I don’t see how it couldn’t help. Also – just try lemon by itself, it will work wonders….
Check out this article I just found… goes through even more benefits.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4769/Why-You-Should-Drink-Warm-Water-Lemon.html
Thanks!
If you only use half of a lemon, what do you do with the other half? I don’t want to waste it but I assume it won’t have the same effect if you save it for the next day in a plastic ziplock bag, correct? Any suggestions??
Pull out chicken or fish and sprinkle on as a marinade with black pepper and a tbls of evoo.
I usually squeeze about a week’s worth of lemons into a glass mason jar and put a couple of tbsps in my water in the morning.
I am totally going to try this!! Thanks for all your wonderful blogs 🙂 I am slowly trying to eliminate processed foods and implement organics into mine and my husband’s diet. We have a 5 month old and I have started making his food…it’s so fun!!
I do this every morning but with limes (minus the cayenne…going to try that though). Do you know if limes work just as well?
Hi Food Babe
Quick question, is it just as effective to use limes, or are lemons the real deal.
I have been doing this now since October 6, and I can’t really say that I feel any different. Also I use a whole lime along with the cayenne pepper.
i am not food babe, but i came across this. http://www.naturalnews.com/033383_lemon_juice_digestion.html
Hi food babe: I have a question. Is it ok to us limes (that’s what I had on hand). It was so tasty too. I don’t usually care for spicy food, but the cayenne adds a nice mellow heat. Instead of herbal tea, this will be my new “hot” morning drink! also, can you add organic maple syrup like in the master cleanse?
i take lemon juice
and cayenne pepper. i also eat the rind and whole lemon.
I just have to say I LOVE reading all your posts. You are an inspiration! I’m going to try this lemon water in the morning, you mentioned clearer skin and I’m all over it!
I’ve just started drinking warm lemon water in the mornings! I believe starting out your day with a strong-healthy routine sets the stage for a healthy day.. I have warm lemon water first thing, about 1/2 hour later I have 1 cup of homemade raw milk kefir and finally after another 1/2 hr to 1 hr I have a fresh organic green juice
http://healthstartsinthekitchen.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/morning-routine-rest-detoxify-build-and-nourish/
What a grea tip! I have been drinking warm water with lemon for months now… minus the pepper. However I am going to start. My mom use to do this with tumeric… have you tried this?
Love your blog!
I started doing this about a week ago, and while definately clearing out the toxins, I have caught somewhat of a cold / sore throat thing. Any advise for cold treatments?
Would kombucha vinegar be suitable to replace the lemon with? Cheap, good-quality lemons are hard to come by in Wisconsin, however, I have a whole gallon of kombucha that I accidentally let ferment too long!
Thank you, Vani!
I have DoTerra Lemon oil. Do you think that would work also?
Hi all,
I’ve been seeing a lot of “I used it but it hurt” or “I used it halfway but it made me sneeze”
types of comments. And I appreciate and very much value foodbabe’s gentle approach.
But another school of thought (and I am in no way affiliated with Dr. Schulze or his
company and in no way get any money for saying this– I’m just a user of his herbal products myself, nothing more) is from Dr. Schulze. Yes, listen to your body, but pain isn’t always
a bad sign. I know that’s controversial in the West, but I am practicing what I preach.
Right now, I’m treating severe acid reflux, high blood pressure and peptic ulcers with regular “flush drinks” consisting primarily of Schulze’s (250,000 heat unit, organic– honestly, don’t even
waste your time with any other cayenne) cayenne powder, organic garlic and ginger I massive doses, oregano oil, apple cider vinegar (bragg’s), GSE, organic pumpkin oil and all blended with some stevia
to make the noxious beverage to down. I set aside 10 minutes to cope with the severe stomach pain.
What’s happening, and there is a lot of science and research to back this- google it, the cayenne
(and the whole drink) is bringing circulation where it is desperately needed. Further, it is believed that cayenne even cauderizes the ulcers. I read Schulze even prescribes cayenne for severe internal bleeding. For me, on a spiritual and intuitive level, I believe the severe and strong
circulation is also a way of bringing awareness to the area that needs healing. The discomfort lasts
for about ten minutes during which I try to focus on choiceless awareness of he sensation. Not even
naming it “pain.” Just observing the throbbing and pulsing and the mind insisting on trying
to escape it. Just let awareness come into the pain, allowing. Choiceless. In my experience,
this brings healing.
If cayenne is making sinus activity kick up, thank your lucky stars and blow that stuff
out if its ready to come. Bit by bit. Day by day. If you are having stomach pain, you may have ulcers that are being healed or blockages being budged. Sometimes that pain is a sign to bigger, not smaller or softer.
Don’t take my word for it. Check out Schulze’s blog. Donna Gates is also a great resource–
google her and check out her books. And good luck.
What is the exact recipe? How much lemon and cayenne?
is there a benefit to drinking this in the AM as apposed to PM? thanks!
I drink a slight variation to that…..green tea, lemon, raw honey and a dash of cayenne…..really great also!!
Oh yeah, and a cinnamon stick.
Day One of Lemon Water + Cayenne Pepper. Honestly, it was hard to get down, but I am devoted to doing this everyday to make some healthy changes to my lifestyle. Thanks, FoodBabe- I’m so happy I stumbled across your site! =)
Ok, I want to do this but need to know how much cayenne you sprinkle in? thanks!!
It’s a good tip but i have been drinking lemon with hot water from long it really helpd me in losing a lot of weight but i never add any spice in it anyways thanks for sharing a really good tip. This drink does wonders.
i drink a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and cinnamon (mixed with a touch of juice) every morning to boost metabolism and restore alkaline balance. I’m not sure what the differences are between the apple cider vinegar / cinnamon and the lemon / cayenne. Can you help me out? Is the lemon and cayenne better?
I just adopted the lemon water but I was squeezing it right into the hot water. I didn’t know it would kill the enzymes. I will do half and half (hot and room temp) and add the pepper. Thank you.