As most people would know, this yellow-skinned cousin of orange is a long time favorite to be added as flavoring in the culinary world. From lemon meringue pie to iced lemon tea, they have been an all time favorite due to their tangy taste that delivers a jolt to one's tongue. Probing into deeper waters, however, this fruit also has wide range of health benefits. One as simple as adding warm water to be drank the first thing in the morning. Below, we present to you a fraction of benefits lemon water has to offer.
1. Helps Digestion
The biggest lemon water benefit may be from the temperature of the water and not even the added lemon. Drinking water, or especially warm water, first thing in the morning can help flush the digestive system and rehydrate the body.
As for drinking lemon water and how it helps digestion, the way it works is by giving your body more time to take in and process the nutrients in the foods you eat afterwards. This slow absorption is good because it conserves the stores of insulin in your body (insulin is important in regulating the amount of glucose in the blood) and also helps your body get more out of the food you eat.
En route to your digestive tract, however, bear in mind that the acid in lemons can damage your tooth enamel over time, which makes your teeth more prone to cavities. Thus, it is preferable to drinking lemon water with a straw whenever possible, to avoid contact with your teeth.
2. Acts as Natural Flush and Diuretic
There is medical evidence that lemon juice can help stimulate proper stomach acid production and bile production. Lemon water also benefits the enzyme functions in your body, stimulating the liver and flushing out toxins. Since it's a mild diuretic, you might find yourself using the bathroom more often, helping the urinary tract get rid of any unwanted elements.
3. Maintains Your Immune System
Vitamin C is one of the most beneficial vitamins to improve your health, and this yellow-skinned fruit is loaded with it. Its benefits includes protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling. Vitamin C is also good for the adrenals and can potentially help reduce the impacts of stress. Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning gives the body a chance to absorb vitamin C effectively and can provide an immune boost to your well-being.
4. Aids The Lymphatic System
Lymph is made up of about 95% water, so drinking plenty of water is essential to keeping things running smoothly. Without adequate water, lymphatic fluid cannot flow properly, causing congestion or dehydration. Lemon adds an alkaline property to water which helps supply the body with minerals and maintains lymphatic health.
5. Helps Treat Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are buildup of calcium deposits that collect in the kidneys. When the body has excess oxalate, the most common type of kidney stone being a substance called calcium oxalate. It is typically treated with a compound called citrate. Increasing the amount of citrate in your urine is thought to prevent calcium from binding with other compounds and forming stones.
Lemon juice contains high levels of citric acid. Studies show that citric acid seems to contribute to reducing the chances of developing calcium oxalate stones. It also has been shown to reduce urine acidity, thereby reducing kidney stone occurence. The bottom line, is that lemon juice offers a complementary approach to supporting kidney function and possibly halting formation before it starts.
6. Clarifies Skin from Within
As it detoxifies the blood and improves digestion, lemon water can lead to cleaner, more glowing skin. The antioxidants in lemon juice help keep spots and wrinkles at bay by fighting the damage caused by free radicals, while the Vitamin C helps in collagen production. Regularly consuming Vitamin C can lead to younger looking skin and less wrinkles, as suggested by a study.
7. Maintains Healthy Weight
As lemon water's ability to improve digestive system and encourage liver to function at its best, it automatically promotes better metabolism. Of course, lemon water by itself isn’t going to be a miracle weight loss solution. But with other healthy habits, it can help maintain a healthy weight. Keep in mind that a balanced diet remains the cornerstone of reaching and maintaining one's ideal weight.
