To combat the sultry heat of summer, everyone wants a refreshing yet healthy drink that will restore their energy. Here comes a glass of lemon water that will rejuvenate you instantly. But the benefits of lemon water are endless. It will not only detoxify your body but also help you in managing various health issues.
There are some additional benefits of lemon juice for health, ranging from enhancing skin quality and boosting the immune system to aiding digestion.
These citrus and sour fruits, with their round shape, are a remarkable gift from nature, packed with essential vitamins and nutrients like calcium, vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Their nutrient density makes them exceptionally beneficial for overall health.
They reduce the risk of heart disease, strengthen the immune system, enhance iron absorption, prevent kidney stones, and promote healthier skin.
Beyond being a vibrant addition to beverages and dishes, the lemon water provides the benefit of prevention against various health problems when consumed regularly.
In this article, we are going to discuss some of the astonishing benefits of lemon water.
What is lemon water?
Lemon belongs to the family of citrus fruit and has colorful rutted skins and a refreshing taste. Lemon water is basically lemon juice of the lemon combined with water. You can drink it either hot or cold by adding some lemon zest, honey, mint, or cayenne pepper.
Some Nutritional Benefits of Lemon Water
A glass (150ml) of lemon water contains:
- Calories: 4Kcal / 16KJ
- Carbohydrates: 0.8 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Potassium: 65 mg
- Vitamin C: 18 mg
Surprising 10 Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of drinking lemon water.
1. Lemon Water for Weight Loss
Lemon water is an ideal drink for those who want to lose weight healthily. Lemon water is a low-calorie drink, especially if you add no sugar to it. Lemon water gives you a sense of fullness and satiety. To maintain your weight, replace high-calorie drinks like colas and sugar-sweetened beverages with lemon water.
2. Boosts your Metabolism
To lose weight, you need to keep the focus on your metabolism. Lemon water improves your metabolism and helps your body to burn more calories. Adding lemon to your water can enhance the same effect. One of the prime
benefits of lemon water in the morning is to reduce your weight in a healthy manner. You may even sip lemon water throughout the day to suppress your hunger and thus, lemon juice prevents you from eating unhealthy and calorie-rich foods.
3. Makes You Full Throughout the Day
Several medical studies have proved that drinking water before a meal will minimize your hunger and enhance satiety. Since lemon water is flooded with vitamin C, hence it promotes fullness and also minimizes your calorie intake.
4. Helps with Digestion
Though lemon juice is acidic, if you mix it with water, it will produce an alkaline effect on the body. Lemon water will improve your digestion and eliminate waste products from your body. Lemon juice will also break down your food more efficiently and thus, your body can quickly absorb maximum nutrients from every meal.
5. Keeps you Hydrated
A plethora of medical studies has proved that staying hydrated is beneficial in weight loss. Increased hydration will break down fats and uplift fat loss. Staying hydrated may also prevent water retention with symptoms like weight gain, puffiness, and bloating. If you drink lemon water throughout the day, it keeps your hunger under control. You should have adequate water to maintain your weight and health. Lemon water eradicates toxins and wastes from your system. It also enhances the flexibility of your joints and minimizes physical pain.
6. Helps with Detoxification
One of the benefits of lemon juice is that it works as a detoxifier, but to enjoy the maximum benefits, you must use fresh lemon juice in warm water and drink it regularly. Lemon rind is a powerful detoxification agent. The rind stimulates phase 2 of liver detox, which is a pivotal step to rid of toxins. To make a detoxification lemon drink, take a whole lemon and cut it into pieces. Now, keep the pieces in the water jug and refill the jug as per your needs.
7. Boosts Your Immunity
A glass of lemon water improves your stamina and immunity. It also prevents you from falling sick. Vitamin C in lemon extirpates free radicals that can cause illnesses once you are getting older. One lemon offers 30.7 mg of your daily recommended dose of vitamin C.
8. Improves Your Energy in the Morning
To enjoy the lemon juice benefits, drink it in the morning. Drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning will keep you rehydrated and also, gives you the energy that you need to accomplish your daily activities. It will also remove all the toxins that your body has produced overnight.
9. Keep Your Skin Blemish-Free
Lemon juice has many antioxidants that minimize your blemishes as well as wrinkles. You can apply lemon juice topically on the scars to minimize their appearance. Since lemon is a detoxifier, hence it purifies your blood and restores the lost glow of your skin.
10. Reduce inflammation
One of the lemon juice benefits is that if you drink lemon water regularly it will reduce the acidity in your body. It extirpates uric acid in your joints. This is one of the pivotal reasons for inflammation.
Benefits of hot lemon water
Hot lemon water is a beverage made by combining plain hot water with either lemon juice or a slice of lemon. The hot/warm lemon water benefits are abundant, particularly when consumed before bedtime, as it aids in maintaining hydration levels.
Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, which offers numerous health advantages. One notable benefit is its role in protecting cells from harm. Moreover, vitamin C promotes the production of collagen, a vital component that facilitates the healing of wounds.
Lemon water and honey benefits
• Combining lemon juice with a teaspoon of honey is known to be a beneficial remedy for colds.
• In the morning, consuming a mixture of fresh honey (one spoon) and the juice of half a lemon in lukewarm water proves to be highly effective for addressing concerns related to constipation, hyperacidity, and obesity.
Side effects of lemon water
The high acidity in lemons can potentially harm tooth enamel, as they contain citric acid. It's important to be mindful of this if you frequently consume lemon water. Using a straw while drinking lemon water can help minimise its direct contact with the teeth, reducing the risk of enamel erosion.
Additionally, some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, especially when consuming lemon water on an empty stomach in the morning. Citrus fruits are known to stimulate the production of gastric acid and can potentially lead to heartburn in certain individuals.
However, for most people, enjoying a glass of lemon water in moderation poses no significant risks to their health.
The Bottom Line
The information mentioned above highlights the multitude of lemon juice benefits for an individual's well-being, emphasising its effectiveness in promoting better health. Beating the heat in the summer by drinking a glass of lemonade or sweetened lemon water can be beneficial as it helps you to stay hydrated.
Diabetics may try a saltier alternative by replacing sugar with salt and having a glass full of lemon water. This low-calorie and refreshing drink will offer you all the health benefits of lemon in one shot. However, try to remove the lemon seeds before consumption.
