For many of us, our morning routines involve waking up at the last possible second, throwing on some clothes, and heading out the door to avoid being late to work.
But what if you added “drinking a glass of lemon and water” to your routine? It won’t cancel out all the other bad habits you may have, but drinking lemon water is arguably one of the best morning routines you can have. Water is the elixir of life, and lemon adds a splash of amazing health benefits. Let’s take a look at 15 effects of lemon and water that will truly change your life.
#15 – Balances the body’s pH levels
Lemons are widely known to be acidic in nature as citrus fruit. However, drinking lemon and water can actually help to alkalize your body, which helps with fighting off pathogens that may be present in the body. An alkalized body is a healthy body.
#14 – Boosts your immune system
As you probably already know, vitamin C is an extremely effective immunity booster for the body. Well, lemon juice just so happens to be extremely rich in vitamin C. By drinking lemon water, you’ll get a healthy immunity boost.
#13 – Supports your digestive system
In addition to keeping your digestive system healthy by loosening toxins to be removed, lemon and water also help to reduce symptoms of indigestion. These include bloating, heartburn, and burping.
#12 – Helps to purify your body
Lemon has some impressive antibacterial properties––which is why you’ll see many cleaning detergents containing lemon. By drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning, you’ll help your body to remain free of any infections. Lemon’s high levels of pectin also support colon health, which further improves your body’s filtration system.
#11 – Reduces risk of stroke
Especially if you are currently at a higher risk due to a condition such as obesity, drinking lemon water has actually been shown to reduce your risk of having a stroke.
#10 – Keeps your breath fresh
Yes, it’s true that lemon is extremely harsh on your enamel, eroding it down with time. This is why it’s important to mix it with water. But drinking lemon and water can actually help to keep your breath fresh in the process. This is because––as mentioned earlier––lemons have antibacterial properties.
#9 – Keeps your skin smooth and healthy
Lemons are very rich in antioxidants, which work wonders for keeping the skin youthful and healthy. In fact, people who drink lemon water are noted to have fewer wrinkles and blemishes while having a natural glow.
#8 – Aids in weight loss
Let’s face it––most of us can shed a few pounds. While it can’t replace a healthy diet and fitness routine, lemon water is a great aid in your efforts. It contains pectin fiber, which is known to keep you full and satiated.
#7 – Reduces inflammation
When the body becomes too acidic, it becomes a prime breeding ground for disease to develop. By drinking lemon and water every day-–preferably on an empty stomach––you’ll decrease the acidity of your body, which also aids in reducing inflammation and disease potential.
#6 – Provides an energy boost
Once lemon juice and water enter into your digestive tract, it helps to give your body sustainable energy. Unlike caffeine, you won’t have to worry about those afternoon crashes.
#5 – Improves lung function
If you’re a previous smoker or suffer from asthma or some other condition, lemon and water can actually be a great help. Its properties help to reduce pain, improve symptoms, and improve your overall lung function.
#4 – Reduces cases of a hangover
Planning on hitting the town tonight and feeling worried about a hangover the next day? Well, lemon water may just be the cure to your worries. By improving the digestive process and detoxifying the body, drinking lemon water can actually help to prevent a hangover.
#3 – Boosts brain function
In addition to being chock full of vitamin C, lemons are also rich in potassium as well. When you have healthy levels of this nutrient, your mood and brain health are likely to be in good shape. However, being deficient in potassium can lead to depression or anxiety. Lemon and water, of course, is a great way to boost your potassium levels.
#2 – Improves your gut flora
You may already know this, but drinking enough water is super beneficial for your digestive health, keeping everything flowing smoothly. By drinking lemon and water, however, food digestion is further improved, which helps to keep your gut flora happy and well-fed.
#1 – Reduces the risk of kidney stones
Citrate, which is found in the citric acid in lemons, helps to make your urine less acidic while potentially breaking up small kidney stones as well. By drinking lemon and water, you’ll keep your body hydrated while reducing the risk of kidney stones.