You’ve probably heard it all before. There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. Not only can they detoxify your body, but there are many other benefits to the fruit to not only aid weight loss, but to promote immunity and fight infection.
So they keep us healthy and help us to lose weight? Does it sound too good to be true? Let’s find out more!
- Supports the immune system:The juice of half a lemon in a glass of water is rich in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and assists the body in fighting colds and flu.
- Repairs skin:Lemons are great for combating skin ageing because the antioxidant properties help combat free radical damage, which is responsible for the symptoms of ageing and helps to create more collagen, essential for keeping wrinkles at bay!
- Aids digestion:Lemon juice has a similar structure to the stomach’s own natural digestive juice so it has a positive effect on digestion, cleansing the bowel by flushing out waste. Bloating and heartburn can be reduced also.
- Cleanses the urinary tract:Lemon juice is a diuretic, meaning it encourages the production of urine. As a result, toxins are released at a faster rate and the PH levels of the system are changed to a more alkaline state, helping to purify.
- Reduces appetite:All citrus fruits contain a soluble fibre known as This substance is considered to combat feelings of hunger as the fibre increases fullness so contributing to weightless.
- Balances pH levels:Lemons are one of the most alkalising foods for the body and a good PH level is essential as too much acidity in the body can be inflammatory, increasing the risk of cancer.
- Freshens breath:The antiseptic qualities in lemon juice help kill off bad bacteria in the mouth by acting as a disinfectant, particularly when drank warm or at room temperature.
- Protects overall health:High levels of potassium in lemons can help brain and nerve functioning and control blood pressure. Potassium has also been linked with a reduction in stress hormones and depression.
- Promotes healing:Ascorbic acid, vitamin C, promotes wound healing in the body and is an important nutrient in maintaining healthy bones, tissue and cartilage. As Vitamin C travels throughout the body, it neutralises free radical damage and reduces damage caused to cells membranes by inflammation.
- Detoxifies the liver:Lemon water acts as a liver cleanser by assisting in detoxification and increasing an acid required for digestion (bile).
How Much and How Often to Drink It?
If you weigh less than 150 pounds and are in good health, squeeze half a fresh lemon in about half a pint of filtered water and drink it first thing in the morning for the best cleansing benefits. If you weigh over 150 pounds, it is advised that you double the amount of lemon and water and split it into two drinks at separate intervals or sip it throughout the day.
Our bodies can only metabolize about 1 pint of water at a time so overindulging in this drink will not increase its health benefits all in one go. It is best to drinks it slowly over a few hours to get the most out of the nutrients or to drink it about 30 minutes before a meal to help your body get the most energy and nutrients from the food you eats.
Adults aged 12 years and over are advised not to drink lemon water if they have any allergies to the fruit of ulcers present. It’s always best to consult your doctor if you have any concerns of this nature.
Teeth enamel is another drawback to drinking lemon water daily. Some studies suggest, it’s the citric acid in the lemon that can damage enamel and so rinsing out your mouth with water after drinking it, or sipping though a straw are advised to help combat this.