The benefits of drinking Lemon Water regularly are varied and make you feel great, who would have thought you could help yourself so easily.
The first time I was introduced to the concept of 'lemon water' was when I started going to the gym, many moons ago. As an avid drinker of filtered water, it was refreshing to be taught a new spin on an old staple. I started having a glass of lemon water every morning, after learning only a few of the benefits of lemon water. Little did I know just how many researched benefits there are...
What makes lemons so special?
Lemons are bursting with nutrients, like vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber, they actually contain more potassium than apples or grapes.
Due to the ferocity of lemon juice on the enamel of your teeth, it’s vital to dilute it with water of any temperature, though lukewarm is preferable. Drink it first thing in the morning, roughly 15 to 30 minutes prior to breakfast. This helps you optimally receive the benefits of lemon water, which are listed below.
10 Benefits of Lemon Water
1. Reduces inflammation.
Drinking lemon water regularly will decrease the acidity within your body, acidity is linked to many diseases. Uric acid is removed by the consumption of lemon water, one of the biggest causes of inflammation
2. Digestive aid.
Lemon Juice relieves the symptoms of indigestion while also encouraging a healthier digestive tract by loosening toxins and free radicals.
3. Helps you lose weight.
Lemons contain pectin fiber, which is widely reported to suppress hunger cravings. Pectin fibre is also known for having anti cancer properties.
4. Aids 'System cleansing'.
Lemon water replaces vital enzymes and stimulate their production within the liver. The Liver, when healthy, keeps our system 'clean'.
5. Keeps your skin healthy.
Antioxidants are known to help with skin health. Lemons are packed full of antioxidants, that can help with ageing skin, blemishes and scars.
6. Immune system a enhancer.
Lemon juice is full of Vitamin C, vital for health and vitality, and we all need full stocks of Vitamin C to be healthy. When stressed the levels are depleted, so extra intake is advised on days that are difficult.
7. Excellent source of potassium.
Lemons are packed full of potassium which is vital for healthy heart function and general well being.
8. Gives you an energy boost, reduces stress.
Lemon juice is a cleanser of the digestive tract, as such you feel fresh and full of energy. Reduced energy is often associated with anxiety and depression. In aromatherapy the smell of lemons is known to reduce stress.
9. Helps you to quit caffeine.
As a ex black tea drinker I often found I was boiling the kettle to fight of the next caffeine crash. I was told about lemon water as a replacement and i thought 'yeh, yeh right!'. Anyway I decided to give it a go and replaced my morning cup of tea with Lemon water. Unbelievably it made me feel more awake and alert than my usual 'cuppa', with no mid morning necessity to boil the kettle. Without doubt, for me, this is the most beneficial use of lemon water.
10. Helps fight viral infections.
Warm lemon water is an effective way to help with viral infections and sore throats etc. Plus, because the lemon juice also boosts your immune system, you’ll have a double whammy of protection.
How much lemon?
For people who weigh less than 10 stone, squeeze half a lemon’s worth of juice into a glass of room temperature water. If over 10 stone, use an whole lemon’s juice. You can of course dilute the lemon juice further, dependant on your personal taste.
I was staying then night at a friends house and I noticed she had a bottle of lemon juice on her night stand. I thought that it was odd so I asked her and she said she was doing a cleanse and that she drank some diluted with water every day. I would very much like to try adding lemon water to my daily routine as well. From this list it sounds like it would do nothing but benefit my body!
I didn’t realise that lemons had so many benefits. I used to drink hot lemon water every morning in the winter when I lived in the UK, only because I had a sore throat and I found that really helped out. I will have to start drinking it again for all the other benefits.