Indigestion is an uncomfortable issue to deal with at best. While running into a few digestion issues every now and then is common, frequent problems can get in the way of a well-balanced diet; it’s hard to enjoy meals when you know your body won’t be able to process them properly. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent indigestion, including starting your day off on the right foot with a helpful beverage—and the best one may be simpler than you think.
To learn more about the best morning drinks to promote digestion, we spoke to health experts Trista Best Registered, Dietitian at Balance One Supplements; Mary Ellen Valverde, MS CNS LDN; and Kirsten Jackson, Gastroenterology Dietitian. They told us that water is one fantastic option—especially if you add some lemon to it.
Lemon water
It turns out that one of the best beverages you can drink to help stop indigestion and soothe discomfort is as simple as can be. "The best beverage to drink in the morning to prevent indigestion would be water," Jackson says. This is partly due to the fact that plain old water contains absolutely nothing that could irritate your body. "Although this is quite boring, it is the best option as it does not contain any gut irritants and may help someone open their bowels which can ease indigestion," she notes.
However, there is one way you can add a bit of flavor to this beverage that could also aid in the process. Best and Valverde suggest squeezing some fresh lemon juice into your water each morning. "A great beverage to prevent indigestion is lemon water," Valverde confirms. "Have a glass of hot or warm water with a tablespoon of lemon juice the morning before having breakfast." That's so simple!
Best agrees that this is an optimal, indigestion-fighting drink. "Sipping on lemon water in the morning can help reduce your indigestion while also helping you to wake up and become more alert," she says, noting that this is in thanks to the fact that it's "full of hydrating electrolytes that will help with mental cognition."
Additionally, Valverde notes that the high pH levels are helpful in fighting the issue. "The alkaline effect of lemon water can neutralize stomach acid and improve digestion," she says. Nice! We're going to have to give this a shot.
