Is Your Morning Lemon–Salt Water Habit Stressing Your Kidneys? A Nephrologist Explains

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many people across the world who are not into tea and coffee, lemon water is one of the daily ways to begin their mornings. According to experts, this beverage is one of the best ways to hydrate and help regulate digestion. Drinking salt water with lemon has gained popularity as a “detox” or digestion aid, but for the kidneys, this routine may do more harm than good when practiced regularly. According to nephrologists, any habit that alters fluid and electrolyte balance deserves careful attention. “Especially one involving salt,” Dr Nikhil Bhasin, Consultant Nephrologist and Renal Transplant Physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, told Times Now.

How do your kidneys handle salt?

Your kidneys are responsible for maintaining sodium balance in the body. When excess salt gets consumed, the kidneys have to filter and excrete the surplus sodium while retaining enough water to keep blood concentrations stable. “Repeating this process daily increases renal workload and can gradually raise blood pressure, one of the strongest risk factors for kidney disease,” said Dr Bhasin. In those with normal kidney function, the body usually compensates in the short term. “However, from a nephrology standpoint, unnecessary salt intake offers no renal benefit and introduces avoidable stress,” he added.

Does lemon not protect your kidneys?

According to experts, lemon is not harmful, as it is loaded with citrate, which reduces the risk of calcium-based kidney stones. However, the protective effect of the citrus fruit does not offset the impact of regular salt intake. When you add salt - especially in unmeasured amounts- the drink shifts from being hydrating to one loaded with sodium. “This sodium load forces the kidneys to conserve water, potentially leading to bloating, fluid retention, and increased blood pressure—particularly in individuals who are salt-sensitive,” said Dr Bhasin.

Who is most at risk?

Experts believe those who must be especially cautious about this routine include:

• Those with high blood pressure
• Those who have diabetes or early kidney disease
• Individuals with a history of kidney stones
• Older adults who have an age-related decline in kidney function

For these groups, even small daily increases in salt intake can contribute to long-term kidney damage.

Is salt water needed medically?

Salt water may be appropriate only in specific situations like severe dehydration, prolonged heat exposure, or heavy sweating—where electrolyte replacement is required. For the average person, daily salt supplementation is unnecessary and potentially counterproductive. The idea of “detoxing” with salt water has no scientific basis. The kidneys and liver already detoxify the body efficiently when supported with adequate hydration.

What are the kidney-friendly alternatives?

From a nephrologist’s standpoint, the best morning drink is plain water or lemon water without added salt. This supports hydration without disrupting sodium balance. Regular consumption of salt water with lemon is not kidney-friendly and may quietly increase renal stress over time. Kidney health thrives on moderation, hydration, and controlled sodium intake, not wellness shortcuts. When it comes to protecting your kidneys, simplicity works best.