Ever since you were a child, lemon water has always been your companion in summers.
Because it quenches your thirst and replenishes the water lost due to the scorching sun. If you are wondering “Is lemon juice good for you?” then the answer is a definitely YES!
Also the health benefits of lemon water are so many that you can’t count them on your fingers.
Components of Lemon
U.S Food and Drug Administration has provided the nutritional value of different fruits including lemon in its report.
Lemon is full of healthy nutrients like B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and fiber.
Nutritional Value of Lemon Per 100 g
| Energy | 121 kJ (29 kcal) |
| Sugar | 2.5 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8g |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 1.1 g |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.02 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 0.19 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 11 μg |
| Choline | 5.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 53 mg |
| Calcium | 26 mg |
| Iron | 0.6 mg |
| Magnesium | 8 mg |
| Phosphorus | 0.03 mg |
| Manganese | 16 mg |
| Potassium | 75 mg |
| Zinc | 0.06 mg |
Drink a glass of lemon water 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast, only then you’ll realize how beneficial lemon water is.
Benefits of Lemon Water have been listed below:
1. Make indigestion a Thing of the Past
The first of the many benefits of lemon water is that other than providing relief from indigestion symptoms like burping, heartburn and bloating, lemon juice is helpful in washing out toxins from your digestive system.
2. Inflammation Reduction
Regular drinking of lemon water will reduce the acidity which is the breeding ground for various diseases. The health benefits of lemons also include removal of uric acid from the joints, which is the main cause of inflammation. Lemon water is also helpful in maintaining and balancing the pH level of your body.
3. Gives You Blemish- free Skin Like an A-Lister Celebrity
Not just blemishes, but wrinkles too can be reduced by antioxidants present in lemons.
A study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition has confirmed that people who consume more vitamin C are at the lower risk of wrinkled and dry skin.
The appearance of age spots, pimples, acne scars and blackheads can be reduced by applying lemon juice on them.
The reason for this is that lemon detoxifies your blood and helps in the maintenance of the radiance of your skin.
Other benefits of drinking lemon water include curing sore throat, hiccups and hangover headache.
4. Helps in Weight Loss
A study has proved that warm lemon water and weight loss are closely related. The pectin fiber in lemons is helpful in fighting against the cravings of hunger. After a strenuous work out session, body salts are replenished by lemon juice.
You can also add lemon to your detox water recipe to shed those extra pounds.
5. Body Cleansing
The enzyme function in your body is enhanced by lemon water which flushes out toxins and stimulate your liver.
6. Outstanding Source of Potassium
The high level of potassium in lemons is very good for the health of your heart and is also beneficial for nerve and brain functioning. Other than potassium, it also contains calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
7. Boosts your Immune System
Another health benefit of lemon water is it has Vitamin C in high quantity. According to a research, when your immune system is weakened due to stress, deficiency of vitamin C arises in your body.
It is because of this reason that the experts always recommend taking tablets of vitamin C, especially if your day is being very stressful. It also helps in maintaining healthy eyes and fight against problems that affect the eye.
8. Breath Freshener
Gingivitis and toothaches can be relieved with the help of lemon water! The citric acid is strong enough to erode the enamel of the tooth. Therefore, it is recommended to either wait for some time to brush after having lemon water or you can brush your teeth before you drink lemon water.
9. Fights Against Viral Infection
Having warm lemon water is the best way to get rid of viral infections and sore throat that follows it. Lemon juice also increases the immunity of your body, thus helping you totally ward off any kind of infection.
10. Helps in Staying Fresh All Day Long
We are sure you won’t believe if this is actually one of the many benefits of lemon water, but having a cup of hot lemon water instead of coffee in the morning will change your life! You won’t feel tired or lazy in the afternoon and will stay fresh all day long!
How to Prepare Lemon Water?
To reap the health benefits of lemon water, drink it consistently. And to prepare it, you need more than just a wedge of lemon.
First things first, while preparing lemon water, always go for fresh lemons and not artificial lemon from a bottle.
To make lemon water:
Squeeze half a lemon into 8 ounces of warm, or cold water (the choice is yours).
To make it as healthy as possible, always use organic lemons and filtered water.
Infuse flavor by adding a mint, a slice of fresh ginger, a dash of cinnamon and a teaspoon of maple syrup or raw honey (my mouth is watering 🙂 ) And enjoy!!
So, kick start your morning with a glass of warm lemon water, and also keep a pitcher of water infused with a few slices of lemons in your refrigerator and drink it throughout the day.
Now know how to buy and use lemons?
- While buying lemons, opt for the ones which are fully yellow and organic (if possible). As a green colored lemon means that it isn’t fully ripe.
- Always buy thinner-skinned lemons as they’re juicier.
- Don’t a single penny for lemons that look wrinkled or excessively hard.
- Store them in a sealed plastic. In this way, they’ll remain fresh for much longer duration.
- Be a smartass and juice several lemons into an ice cube tray and freeze. So the next time you want a glass of fresh lemon juice, just pop a few cubes in warm water and sip it slowly.
- You’ll get the benefits of lemon water whenever you drink it, but having it in the morning will kick-start your day. Therefore, try a glass about 30 minutes before breakfast as it’ll help your body absorb your breakfast nutrients better.
Some Side Effects of Drinking Lemon Water
Lemon has citric acid, which has the ability to erode your tooth enamel (How ironic!! As you also use it to help bad breath). So, what are you supposed to do now? Nothing much, just start drinking lemon water with a straw, and rinse your mouth afterwards.
In case of heartburn, lemon water can go either way. The citric acid present in lemons may stimulate heartburn in some people and others may experience relief since they become alkaline in the digestive tract.
However, If lemon water aggravate your heartburn, then avoid drinking it and eating other citric fruits.
Some people, including me, report frequent visits to the bathroom when drinking lemon water. If you’re sailing in the same boat, then, it’s more likely caused by increased water intake and nothing else.
So, you need not worry about those frequent trips, just go with the flow. Haha!
Summing Up
The price of lemons is nothing as compared to the benefits of lemon water. So try to include lemon water in your everyday routine and you’ll definitely thank us later for it!
FAQ’s About Lemon Water
Can I use lime in place of lemon?
If I don't have fresh lemons, then can I use the bottled lemon juice or water?
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