When you think of drinking things made of lemons, you might think of lemonade. This article is not about that kind of drink. Lemonade may taste great, but it is loaded with sugar. What I’m going to talk about is drinking lemon water for health reasons, with no sugar added.
Great Source Of Vitamin C
Lemons, as well as other citrus fruits, are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as lower your blood pressure. Studies have shown that people with low vitamin C levels have a higher risk of stroke. Vitamin C may also help prevent you from getting the common cold, although studies do not prove this to be true.
Promotes Hydration
A lot of people do not enjoy the taste of plain water. These people often get tempted not to drink eight glasses of water a day, which is the recommended amount of water to drink. If you are one of those people, adding some lemons into your water may add the flavor that you’ve been looking for.
Great To Drink When Losing Weight
If you are looking to lose weight, lemon water is the perfect drink for you. Why? Studies have shown that the polyphenol antioxidants found in lemons reduce weight gain. Although the reason why lemons reduce weight gain is still a mystery, it is obviously true that lemons can help.
Improves the Health Of Your Skin
Do you want gorgeous skin this summer? Try drinking some lemon water. The vitamin C in lemons will help reduce wrinkles in your skin, and it may also prevent dry skin. Because lemon water contains lots of water, it will also help get rid of skin toxins.
Fights Cancer
The nutrients in lemons will help fight free radicals. Lemons also contain 22 cancer-fighting compounds, which reduce the risk of you getting cancer. Besides helping you fight cancer, lemons can also help prevent minor illnesses, such as colds.
Great For Freshening Your Breath
Lemons are often used in cleaning recipes to get rid of bad odors. Because lemons have a nice smell to them, people use it instead of chemicals and other cleaning items. But lemons can also be used for another reason, which is to freshen your breath. Just as lemons can get rid of odors found on a countertop, they can also get rid of bad breath. A lot of people drink lemon water after eating strong smelling foods such as garlic, onions, or fish. It is recommended to drink a glass of lemon water after meals, and first thing in the morning. To prevent lemons from ruining your teeth, you should drink the lemon water through a straw, and rinse your mouth afterward.
Prevents Iron Deficiency
Lemons will help your body absorb iron better. Because iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the United States, especially in women, it is important to get enough iron. Lemons and any other food high in Vitamin C, will help you not to become iron deficient.
Prevents Kidney Stones
The citric acid found in lemons may help prevent kidney stones. Lemon water will also deliver to you plenty of water, which will prevent kidney stones as well.
Stronger Immune System
The vitamin C and antioxidants found in lemons will help to make your immune system stronger. This is mainly why people eat citrus fruits to help prevent colds and illnesses. You may want to drink extra lemon water in the winter since that is the time when the flu is around. You may also want to consider drinking lemon water before going on a plane since all the bacteria from passengers puts your immune system at greater risk.
How To Make Lemon Water
Now that you know all of the many benefits of lemon water, let’s find out how to make this drink.
Ingredients:
- Half a lemon
- 8 ounces of boiling, warm, or cold water
You may want to add:
- A couple of sprigs of mint
- One teaspoon of maple syrup or raw honey
- A slice of fresh ginger
- A dash of cinnamon
- Other citrus fruits
- Cucumber slices
Directions:
Squeeze half a lemon into 8 ounces of water (boiling, warm, or cold water). Add any of the extra ingredients I’ve listed. If you want to make lemon water quickly, try freezing some lemons ahead of time in ice cube trays, and add one to your water.
Conclusion
I may have motivated you to try adding some lemon water to your diet. There are so many health benefits including diseases that lemon water can help prevent. It can also help you to lose weight. So next time you are in the produce section picking up your bananas, apples, and oranges, don’t skip over those lemons. Grab a few and start making lemon water. The benefits are many!
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