10 Reasons To Drink Lemon Water Every Morning
Maybe you grew up watching your mother drinking lemon water every morning, or you have used it in the past to treat flu symptoms, or maybe you have heard a close friend raving about its benefits recently. After all, drinking warm lemon water is an age-old remedy for many common ailments, but it’s only now that we have really begun to understand and appreciate the multitude of benefits it has to offer.
It might be time for you to take after your mother, and listen to your friend! Drinking a cup of lukewarm lemon water every morning is just what you need to boost your brain, your immunity and overall health.
No need to get bogged down with a complex recipe each morning, your routine is busy enough. Simply add the juice of half a lemon to lukewarm water. Keep in mind if the water is too hot, or too cold, it takes your body longer and uses more energy to process. If you are over 150 lbs., you can add the juice of a full lemon. For an added zing, you can also add some lemon zest.
What can lemon water do for you and your body?
1. Boosts the Immune System
Lemons contain a myriad of beneficial vitamins and minerals including vitamins C and B, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Vitamin C and iron are both crucial to boosting your immune system at the onset of a cold, or more generally acting preventatively on a daily basis. Lemons also have the capability of increasing the amount of iron your body can absorb.
2. Reduces Inflammation
By drinking lemon water the body produces calcium carbonate, which helps reduce, neutralize, and possibly dissolve uric acid. Uric acid is a substance that builds up in the joints causing problems with inflammation and joint pain.
3. Boosts Energy
The flavor of lemon is undeniably invigorating and bright, so it’s similar effects on your mood and energy levels should not be a surprise. By drinking lemon water in the early morning it gives your body a head start to enzyme production, and also helps to oxygenate the body. It’s a good way to help your system flush out any toxins processed during the night, which may include the uric acid mentioned above.
4. Weight Loss Aid
Lemon water is a good assistant to many weight loss regimes, as it will help your body metabolize faster and feel fuller for longer especially when you drink it in the morning. After all, lemon juice can fight hunger cravings!
5. Cleansing Properties
Ever wonder why lemon juice is such a key component to the Master Cleanse? Lemons are an essential component to flushing toxins from your liver, kidneys and digestive system. Lemon juice can help you adjust the pH levels in your body, to help dissuade bacterial growth. Since it is a natural diuretic, it is a great tool for people who suffer from UTIs.
6. Reduces Mucus and Phlegm
For some people, especially people who smoke, waking up coughing up a night’s worth of mucus and phlegm is standard practice. This is also the case for people who have a lot of dairy in their diet since dairy promotes the production of mucus. The good news is that lemon juice, which is acidic, can help you cut through this build up each morning, and begin to help you prevent it.
7. Replaces Caffeine
Waking up in the morning typically requires a caffeine hit, but for many people this is a negative addiction which affects their digestive and mental health. Warm lemon water is a good way to replace this caffeine addiction. It gives you a good tangy wake up, and invigorates you. It can also help reduce withdrawal symptoms by hydrating you bright and early each morning.
8. Antioxidant
Lemons are packed with vitamin C which makes them a vital source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are an important tool to help prevent cancerous cells from taking hold. Cancerous cells proliferate within an acidic environment, and lemon water helps to alkalize and adjust your pH levels. Another vital way that a daily dose of lemon water can fight off cancer!
9. Energizes your Brain
Full of magnesium and potassium, lemon water with all its vitamins and minerals, energizes your brain as well as provides positive effects on your nervous system. Because of its negatively charged ions, lemon juice helps reduce stress and fatigue, and increases oxygen flow to the brain. A glass of warm lemon water each morning is a great method to improve overall alertness and mental capacity.
10. Improves Digestion
Finally, lemon water improves the function of the digestive tract in just about every way. The juice simulates your digestive juices, stimulating the digestive system to begin working each morning. It flushes out the toxins which may have built up overnight, and much like coffee helps facilitate bowel movement. It hydrates the colon as well as alleviates symptoms caused by indigestion, heartburn and bloating.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but helps to illuminate the wonders a little bit of lukewarm lemon water can do for you and your digestive system.
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References:
http://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/lemon-water-and-uric-acid.html
http://blogs.naturalnews.com/15-reasons-drinking-lemon-water-every-morning/
