Does Lemon Water Break A Fast? [Full Answer, Backed By Science]
Does lemon water break a fast? Can you drink lemon water while fasting? Keep reading to get all of your questions answered!

There’s many opinions on lemon water and fasting. Can you drink lemon water while fasting? Can you add lemon juice to your water while fasting? In this article we will share all the information so you can make the decision for yourself.
Does Lemon Water Break A Fast?
Yes, lemon water breaks a fast. Lemon has a sour taste that will spike your insulin levels.
Does Lemon Water Break A Fast – Further Details
Yes, lemon water will break a fast. If you’re fasting to focus gut healing, you should not consume lemon water during your fast. Any food or drink other than water, black coffee and tea will break your fast. Any other foods or drinks can can stop the gut cleaning process, Migrating Motor Complex.
If you are fasting for autophagy, you should not consume lemon water during your fast.
If you are following a clean fast and fasting for weight loss or other healing, you should not consume lemon water while fasting.
Many fasting gurus believe that a small amount of lemon water while fasting will not break your fast. I follow a clean fasting protocol and err on the side of caution when fasting. Therefore, I do not recommend consuming lemon water while fasting.
Even if lemon water does not spike our insulin levels, it will trigger the start of digestive processes in the gut and liver, therefore breaking your fast.
What Can I Add To My Water While Fasting?
During your fast, you can add a pinch of salt to your water if you want to change things up! There are also a few fasting-approved electrolyte options that you could add to your water while fasting.
Our top recommendation is Redmond Re-Lyte. Redmond Re-Lyte is an electrolyte mix that contains the cleanest ingredients. Re-Lyte has no junk, no sugar, is keto and paleo-friendly and vegan-friendly. The unflavored re-lyte is the best choice to consume while fasting.
For more information, check out our guide to the best electrolytes for fasting.
What Can I Consume While Fasting?
If you are following a clean fast, you can consume the following items when fasting:
- Water (unflavored, no added fruit)
- Black coffee
- Plain green tea or black tea
- Mineral water, unflavored sparkling water, seltzer water (with no added ingredients)
- Salt, electrolytes, or minerals (unflavored, no additives)
- Medications as prescribed by your doctor

Frequently Asked Questions
Does lemon water break autophagy?
Yes, lemon water will pull you out of autophagy. Consuming anything other than water, black coffee or tea starts the digestive processes in the gut and the liver. These processes will pull you out of autophagy.
Can I drink lemon water with salt during intermittent fasting?
No, you should not drink lemon water with salt while intermittent fasting. If you wish to consume lemon water with salt, you can drink it during your eating window.
Does lemon juice break a fast?
Yes, lemon juice breaks a fast. Lemon juice has a sour flavor that will spike your insulin levels and pull you out of a fasted state. If you are following a clean fast, you should not consume lemon juice while fasting.
Even if your insulin levels do not spike, lemon juice will trigger the start of digestive processes in the gut and the liver.
Related: Does Black Coffee Break A Fast?