Health benefits of drinking lemon water

There is a reason why the health conscious and fitness gurus all over the world are reaping the benefits of drinking lemon water; Lemons are one of natures most potent cleansers, which have a variety of benefits which range from helping you to detox, to helping the fight against free radicals, which can help to slow down the aging process and keep you healthy.

Make sure to dilute the lemon juice, otherwise the acidity can be harmful to our teeth. All that you need is a big squeeze into your morning glass of water, protein shake or blended smoothie to reap the amazing benefits that this rejuvenating elixir can provide. The health benefits of drinking lemon water are as follows:

Flushing toxins

Like any drink aimed at detoxifying the body such as green tea, lemon water helps to rid the body of excess toxins.

You will pass more urine because you are hydrating your body, which can help to get rid of toxins quickly. Adding lemons to your water gives your body citrate, which is a natural inhibitor of toxins. Cleansing can help to lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent liver disease.

Aiding digestion

Lemon water is drunk in the morning because it aids our digestion by loosening the tract, thanks to the similar atomic structure to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. This can help to prevent constipation and stomach pains by contributing towards regular bowel movements . Things like indigestion, bloating, burping and heartburn can be helped by the digestive properties of drinking lemon water too; it helps your liver to create bile which is an acid required for digestion.

Source of vitamin C and other vitamins

Vitamin C is a great beneficiary to our body. It protects our immune systems and helps us fight off infections. When we’re stressed, our vitamin C levels drop, lowering our immune function. Therefore, vitaminc C-rich foods can give us the boost we need to starve off colds. The presence of saponins can also protect us from infection as they have antimicrobial properties. Vitamin C also acts as an anti-inflammatory and can help with iron absorption and controlling asthma. Lemons are high in potassium (they have more than apples and grapes), which can stimulate the function of our nerves and brain. It’s also beneficial for heart health and reducing cholesterol.

Some other minerals which can be absorbed from drinking this body cleanser are calcium, bioflavonoids and magnesium.

Neutralizing acidity in the body

The term alkalizing is used to describe the process of balancing PH levels in the blood. Lemons are great at neutralizing the acid in our body. This is a positive because certain acids can be the reason for acid reflux and trouble stomachs. Lemon water is one of the best ways to do this because they contain citric and ascorbic acid, so drinking it on an empty stomach can help pass uric acid, which can cause joint inflammation.

If you are considering using lemon water for this reason, it’s best to talk to your doctor first and use pH strips to measure your acid levels to check if they need neutralizing.

Weight loss

The most common reason why people add lemon water to their diets is for weight loss. Whilst scientific research to support this claim is fairly scarce, one trial found that mice on a high fat diet had lost weight. The substance pectin may be to thank for this. Like fibre, it makes you feel fuller for longer and prevent cravings, so caloric intake is reduced.

Improving skin and removing wrinkles

Vitamin C can be a gift in different respects, as it can also make your skin glow. The alkaline properties fights acne caused by certain types of bacteria. The toxin-flushing properties of lemon water can also clear your skin out and make it blemish free. Also, the other antioxidants stops free radicals damaging the skin and causing wrinkles. Some research found that antioxidants in lemons can help to reverse the breakdown of collagen, which helps keep our skin looking healthy.

Reducing inflammation and pain

Once again, vitamin C can help to reduce inflammation and speed up the process of wound healing. This makes lemon water useful for recovery from stress and injury.

Helps prevent throat infections

Throat infections are often caused by bacteria, so the anti-bacterial properties of lemon water can help keep them at bay. People who drink it daily are less prone to getting nasty sore throats. Make a tea with some lemon, ginger and honey if you feel under the weather and it can do wonders on shortening recovery time!
Energy boost
There’s a reason why many love to reap the health benefits of drinking lemon water every morning; they contain a high proportion of negatively charged ions which react in our digestive tract, providing us with a high level of energy. All the vitamins and other nutrients present in lemons give you a boost in a natural way, with no crash which coffee can sometimes provide. Hydration is also key to feeling alert and refreshed.

Freshens breath

It’s important to note once more that lemons can be damaging to our teeth if it is not diluted correctly. Never brush your teeth before drinking lemon water, either do it after or wait for a significant period of time beforehand. The acidity that lemons offer which has so many health benefits can also kill bacteria and clean your mouth, which can get rid of bad breath. It helps rid of the “film” that forms on your tongue during sleep, which is the result of decaying food and bacteria.

How to take lemon water by itself:

Drink lemon water on an empty stomach, and give yourself 15 minutes before you eat anything. Take the seeds of the lemon out, best done with some form of juicer or strainer, and if you aren’t a fan of the bitter taste, add some honey. Dilute it in luke-warm water and if you’re worried about your teeth you can use a straw, or just drink without gargling.

Want to add some more superfoods to your morning routine? Our article on maca root powder breaks down why you should incorporate it into your diet.

There you have the health benefits of drinking lemon water. If you have anything to add, then comment below!