By: Sarity Gervais
What happens to your body when you start each day with a generous drink of pure, freshly squeezed lemon water?
We all know the great health benefits of lemon: It’s a sparkly yellow fruit which contains Vitamins C, B, Calcium, Pantothenic Acid, and Magnesium. A lemon is chock full of antioxidants and it’s even rich in enzymes and fibre. Additionally, it contains antibacterial properties and has a whole array of health benefits, such as, weight loss, and boosting the immne system. Starting your day with ½ freshly squeezed lemon in lukewarm water will do wonders for your health. It must be drunk right after it’s been squeezed and before you eat or drink anything else.
1. It’s a cleanser for the whole system
Since it’s an antiseptic, lemon washes the intestines and rids it from harmful toxins. The drink also increases urination, thus acting as a diuretic, which flushes out your system. The enzymes in lemon stimulate the liver detox necessary for good health.
2. Clear Skin
The antioxidants in lemon help fight free radicals, a prime cause of skin deterioration as we age. Blemishes and acne are healed or even prevented by the bacteria preventing properties. Your skin will become more youthful and glowing.
3. Boost the Immune System
We all are aware of that vitamin C in an immune system booster and lemons have one of the most concentrated forms of this vitamin. Of course it helps prevent and ease the common cold and general resistance to illness. The lemon water also helps with controlling blood pressure because of it’s high potassium content. Ascorbic Acid or vitamin C contained in lemon is a known anti-inflammatory, helping with asthma attacks and a variety of respiratory ailments.
4. Boost Brain Power
Lemon is rich in magnesium and potassium, great nutrients for the entire nervous system and the brain. It helps concentration and focus.
5. Balances PH Levels
Citric and ascorbic acid help alkalize the blood. Lemon contains them both and though it may sound counter intuitive, according to many studies, the acid in lemon create balance in the body’s PH. Inflammation and disease occur when the body is overly acidic, thus regular consumption prevents conditions stemming from the over acidic imbalance. Uric acid, rheumatic diseases and much more fall into that category.
6. Promotes better digestion
Lemon has long been the home cure for stomach pain and cramps. In fact, the entire digestive system benefits greatly by improving the absorption of aluminium chloride, a naturally occurring antacid in the stomach.
Lemon also produces more bile in the liver, thus cleansing it. The liver bile is essential for good digestion, the prevention of heartburn, acid reflux and sour stomach and breath. As an antioxidant it flushes out impurities in the digestive tract.
7. Anti-Cancer Agent
The fragrant little fruit contains such a vast amount of antioxidants it decelerates the aging process and cell crosslinking which reduces the risk of cancer. By preventing the acidic environment in which cancer cells thrive it is greatly beneficial in prevention of abnormal cell behaviour.
8. Hydrates the Lymph Cells
The Lymph system plays a huge role in our body’s health. Our immune system is dependent ot it perfect function. Hydration will prevent sluggishness, weariness and the tired feeling that comes with a drop in the immune system. Low pressure, headaches, constipation, low energy and a lack of focus are directly result from that. Drinking your daily lemon water first thing every morning, hydrates and replaces lost fluids, gives a better night sleep and healthy, strong body.
9. Promotes healing
Vitamin C, in particularly in the form of freshly squeezed lemons, has the ability to heal scars and skin blemishes. Bones and cartilage heal far better and faster when nourished by the properties in lemon water. From personal experience I can attest to the academic studies which state the fast recovery from injuries is accelerated, especially when combined with other vitamins and minerals.
10. Helps in Weight loss
Last but not least, the pectin content in lemon, which is a set of polysaccharides with gel properties, is a fibre that helps fight food craving. According to several serious research studies, people who follow a low alkaline tend to lose weight much faster.