Even the smallest changes in your routine can have a big impact on your health. For example, start your day with lemon water.
We list seven reasons why you should consider adopting this super simple habit.
Helps you stay hydrated
Most of us don't drink enough water. A daily habit of lemon water is an easy way to start your day right with hydration right away. How do you know if you are drinking enough? Then the color of your urine is almost clear.
Aids in digestion
Acid helps break down food. That's why so much of it is in our stomach. The acid in lemons can be especially helpful in replenishing your stomach acid levels, which tend to decrease as we age.
Lemon also contains a high amount of soluble fiber which helps maintain regular bowel movements and also improves digestion. The main fiber present in lemon, called pectin, helps improve gut health by speeding up the digestion of starch and sugar.
Ayurvedic medicine believes that drinking a glass of water with lemon juice with pulp in the morning can stimulate your digestive process. It helps you have a healthy digestive system.
Helps with weight loss
We are creatures of habit. Think about the impact of replacing your glass of orange juice or morning coffee and have lemon water first. Not just once, but as a habit at least 20 times a month - and multiply that by 10 years. Your waistline will thank you for contributing to weight loss.
Prevents oxidation
Like all products derived from plants, it contains lemons phytonutrients, which protect your body against disease. These phytonutrients have powerful antioxidant properties that prevent cell damage from oxidation, basically the same mechanism that causes rust.
Provides a healthy dose of vitamin C.
When you add the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water in the morning, you also add as little as 6 calories to your diet. Plus, you get more than one-sixth of your daily vitamin C, which is needed to protect us from cell damage and repair injuries.
The lemon is a fruit that boosts immunity as it contains a high amount of vitamin C and antioxidants. It helps strengthen the immune system against germs that cause colds and flu. A glass of hot water with lemon juice and a large spoonful of honey can help with a cough and cold.
Supports Heart Health
Lemons are thus a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Research suggests these two nutrients are beneficial for heart health and help prevent heart disease and strokes. However, some of the fiber in lemon can also significantly lower some heart disease risk factors.
There are still too few studies that have shown that consuming lemon juice can also completely help lower high blood pressure. Lemon may be useful in the mainline of high blood pressure treatment. Lemon contains two plant compounds, such as hesperidin and diosmin, which are known to lower cholesterol.
Provides a potassium boost
Your body cannot function without potassium. It is necessary for nerve-muscle communication, transport of nutrients and waste, and blood pressure regulation. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of potassium.
It may help reduce cancer risk
Lemon and lemon juice are a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants that help fight deadly diseases such as cancer. Animal studies suggest that compounds present in the lemon limonene and naringenin have anti-cancer properties. However, more human studies are needed to observe these effects.
Helps prevent kidney stones
Lemon water helps prevent painful stones in people who are deficient in urinary citrate (a form of citric acid). More importantly, more fluid helps prevent dehydration - a common cause of kidney stones.
It contributes to your oral health
Theoretically, citric acid can be harmful to your enamel, but of course you dilute it with water here. As long as you don't get into the habit of consuming pure lemon juice all day long, you should be fine.
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin for teeth and gums. Since lemon is a rich source of vitamin C, it is thus beneficial for oral ailments. Scurvy is an oral condition where lemon helps so efficiently. Scurvy is a disease that results from a lack of vitamin C, which leads to swollen gums, bleeding gums. Lemon juice can have analgesic effects when applied topically to areas where there is a toothache. It can also help reduce inflammation.
Beneficial for the skin
Lemons therefore contain high concentrations of vitamin C, which is necessary to make collagen. Collagen gives our skin a plump and youthful appearance. It helps to diminish the fine lines on the face and brighten your skin.
Lemon is a small yet powerful fruit with all nutrients. Consuming lemon juice as part of a varied diet can make a person's diet more nutritious and healthier.
How do you best enjoy lemon water?
Simply squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water. How much? When? In principle it does not matter, but our preference is immediately in the morning. However you add lemon water to your daily routine, it is a big plus for your health.
Don't forget the peel
Capture the rich nutrients by grating your lemon (organic, of course!) And using it in baking or cooking.
Sources include ClevelandClinic (link), PharmEasy (link), UnlockFood (link)
