Drinking lemon water on an empty stomach can be beneficial for some people, but it’s not universally ideal, especially given your current symptoms. From a Siddha-Ayurvedic perspective, the cooling and acidic nature of lemon could aggravate certain conditions depending on your dosha balance and overall constitution.
If you’re experiencing digestive issues like bloating and cramping, plus frequent heartburn, it’s possible that lemon water’s acidic nature is increasing the acidity in the stomach more than your system can efficiently handle. This aligns with your experience of symptoms getting worse after initial improvement. Lemon can often stimulate agni, the digestive fire, which is beneficial for many with sluggish digestion but may be too harsh if there’s already an imbalance, particularly with pitta dosha-related symptoms such as heartburn.
Instead of continuing this daily routine, consider starting your day with a more gentle approach. Drinking a cup of warm water without lemon, perhaps with a pinch of ginger especially if you have vata or kapha constitution, could promote digestion without the risk of acid irritation. Also, consider increasing your intake of bitter and astringent foods to help balance the digestive juices if pitta is aggravated.
Ultimately, listen to your body. If symptoms persist, an underlying imbalance might be at play. Tracking your food intake, meal timings, and hydration can offer insights into what might be exacerbating your discomfort. Lastly, maintaining a regular eating schedule and avoiding overly processed or heavy foods can also support digestion. If issues continue, consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner would be a prudent step to assess your unique prakriti and any imbalances in greater depth.
