Lemon Water Health Benefits

1. Weight Loss – Routine drinking lemon water opens the way to lose weight faster. Lemon is high in pectin fiber, which helps to fight hunger cravings. 

2. Aid digestion - Warm lemon water is very cleansing and purifying to the liver and gallbladder. When your digestion is functioning well, you are not likely to experience heartburn or suffer from constipation.  In fact, lemon juice helps with all forms of elimination.  It also functions as a diuretic, releasing toxins via a faster rate of urination. Citrus flavonoids are believed responsible for lemon’s traditional use as a digestive tonic.

3. Clear skin- Vitamin C and other antioxidants in lemons combat free radical damage. Free radical damage — especially as caused by UV exposure and environmental toxins — is responsible for many symptoms of aging. Antioxidant intake can help offset this damage, minimizing wrinkles. Traditionally used as a liver stimulant, lemon water is also believed to help purge toxins from the blood, helping to keep skin clear of blemishes.

4. Alkalize the body- Although the tartness of a lemon may make them seem acidic, lemons are actually one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood.

5. Support immune function-Lemons are high in antioxidant vitamin C, known for its supportive role in healthy immune function. Warm lemon water helps to reduce the symptoms of a chest infection or cough and can also promote improved breathing for people with asthma and allergies.

6. Detoxifies - Lemon water is also thought to decrease the amount of mucus and phlegm produced in the body, helps to cleanse our Liver, Gallbladder and digestive tract. Lemon water is a simple and surprisingly healthy internal cleanser to start your day with. It also hydrates your body and Lymphatic system.

Lemon water is a simple and surprisingly healthy internal cleanser to kick off each day!

7. Respiratiory Benefits- When you smell lemons, doesn’t it feel like you can breathe easier?  There’s a reason the lemon scent seems to open up your nasal and respiratory paths–it does! It decrease the amount of mucus and phlegm produced in the body.

We tend to reach for those warm beverages in the morning like coffee and tea, but try starting your day with some warm lemon water first to kick-start digestion. The water can also be at room temperation, but it should be purified. Simply squeeze half a fresh lemon into a mug of warm water.

You may also take with you to sip throughout the day. Fresh lemons take plain old water up a notch.

Adopting just this one practice of drinking a cup of warm water with lemon in the morning is a great way to start the day the day. Lime may also be used instead of lemon.

Try to avoid having sugar, honey (unless it’s local or raw honey), maple syrup or other sweeteners with your lemon water as the simple sugars will reduce the benefits.

~Thanks to Fernanda Santiago