Health benefits of warm lemon water

Add some lemon to your daily mornings!

Are you up for a challenge? What about trading your morning cup of coffee with a cup of warm lemon water? I know this may sound less glamourous then your mug of coffee, but you should give it a try! This is a little ritual you can easily add to your daily morning routine. For the morning coffee fans, you can just add this warm lemon water before your coffee. My mojo is more about adding healthy food than focusing on reducing the “not so good” one, as I believe that adding healthy nutrients will get your body used to better food and it will soon ask for more healthy treats naturally. Starting your day with a mug of warm water with lemon juice is beneficial for your health. It is also a tradition followed in Ayurveda (traditional medicine originally from India) to stimulate the digestion. Drinking this before breakfast on an empty stomach will help cleansing your body and specially your liver and help you jumpstart your day.

What are the benefits?

• Immune System

With the high level of vitamin C contained in lemon, it gives a boost to the immune system and purifies the blood. It has an antispetic effect which is very useful during the cold winter months as it helps fight colds, flu, sore throat and coughing and is also great to rejuvenate the skin from within and necessary for healthy gum. It contains limonene, an anti-cancer substance.  It is packed with minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus. The potassium helps lower the blood pressure and is beneficial for the nervous system as well, so it can reduce stress and help you start your day more calm and zen. It is also said that lemon can improve your mood and clear your mind thanks to the natural scent.

• Cleansing

It’s a great way to start your morning as it cleanses the toxins accumulated through the night. It specially cleanses your liver, as it is an efficient liver stimulant according to Jethro Kloss, author of “Back to Eden“. The liver is an essential organ as it detoxifies the body. It has 500 different functions but the main ones are: helps with digestion, extracts nutrients and breaks down drugs and poison.

• Weight Loss

As it eliminates the waste and toxins through the liver, the lemon water can help for weight loss control. Lemons contain pectin, which is a fiber that can help with food cravings and hunger. Also, starting your day with healthy habits can help you stay on the right track for the rest of the day.

• PH Balance

Lemon is part of the alkalizing food group thanks to the citric acid which is an alkalizing agent, even though it is an acidic fruit. If you eat a lot of processed food, animal protein and sugar, your body might be more on the acidic side on the PH level (you can test it with PH strips available in pharmacies usually) and lemon water can help to balance it. An alkaline body can prevent disease and is much healthier, as illnesses and infections mainly occur in an acidic body.

• Digestion

It helps your digestive and elimination system and relieves symptoms of heartburn, bloating, cramps and indigestion. Next time you’ll have a big festive dinner, think of a warm lemon water.

You can also alternate with lime for a more exotic taste, as it is similar to lemon. Packed with vitamin C to support the immune system, the fibers prevent heart diseases and fight cholesterol.

Note: You should just be careful with your teeth and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing them after drinking lemon water as it is not good for the enamel and can do damages. To protect your teeth, you can also drink a glass of water or at least rinse your mouth with water afterwards or sip your drink with a straw to avoid the acidity on your teeth.

Don’t drink it too hot, the water should be lukewarm, as if too hot, it isn’t good for your digestive system. And half of a lemon in a mug is a good quantity. If you are not used to the acidic taste, you can start slowly with a few drops.

Happy lemon day!

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/111175-benefits-lemon-water/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/522483-warm-water-lemon-in-the-morning/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4769/Why-You-Should-Drink-Warm-Water-Lemon.html

http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/top-10-health-benefits-of-lemon-water-1422542#ixzz1Ly4F1tCS

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/liver/liver_facts_functions.shtml

“Les 100 aliments pour rester en forme“, Charlotte Haigh, 2005