DavidWolfe.comWe’ve sung the praises of lemon water in the past, and for good reason – a single lemon can provide 64% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake. Lemons also contain a host of powerful phytochemicals, which in their natural state (as opposed to in supplements) have been proven to be great for promoting long-term health.
Lemon water is a fantastic drink to start your day with. All you have to do is boil some water, leave it to cool for a bit and add your lemon slices.
So what are the benefits, you ask?
Lemon water can be a cheap, easy and natural way to replace a variety of supplements. Here are 15 common issues that can be addressed by drinking lemon water daily.
1. Acne
Lemon water can help prevent acne breakouts. Lemon contains anti-bacterial properties that fight acne-causing bacteria. Water acts as a purifier that will detox and purify your body. Put the two together and you’ve got a recipe for clear skin!
You can even use lemon water as a wash for your face – the citric acid in it will exfoliate your skin, removing dead cells that clog your pores and result in excess oil on your face.
2. An Appetite With A Mind of Its Own
For one, lemon water tastes great. You can use it to replace beverages that are much higher in calories like sugar- sweetened fruit juice.
Drinking lemon water is also great for your metabolism, according to Alissa Rumsey, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“Staying hydrated is an important component of a healthy diet because it boosts your metabolism,” she says. “For those that don’t enjoy plain water, adding some lemon is a great way to boost the flavor without adding calories.”
3. Kidney Stones
Shudder.
Kidney stones are the pits. If you’ve ever had one, there’s probably not much in your life that you’re more certain of than the fact that you never want to experience them again.
Thankfully, the natural citrate in lemon water can help to break down kidney stones or even prevent them altogether. Citrate is often prescribed as medication for kidney stones. But you can skip the pills and get it straight from the source.
4. Weak Immune System
Do you find yourself constantly plagued by colds? Do you get sick if you even think about stepping outside? Drink more lemon water! Lemons contain vitamin C, which is like a jumper cable for your immune system.
Lemon water can be especially helpful for your immune system when you’re feeling stressed, and the level of vitamin C in your system plummets with the rise of cortisol.
5. Cold and Flu
Drinking lemon water when you have a cold or flu can help loosen congestion. It also keeps you from becoming dehydrated. Add a bit of honey to the mix for even more anti-bacterial properties and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
6. Inflammation
The vitamin C in lemon water has anti-inflammatory effects. It is often used in conjunction with other asthma treatments to reduce respiratory disease symptoms.
Lemon water can also fight joint inflammation by reducing the buildup of uric acid in your joints.
7. Hangovers
It sounds a bit too good to be true, doesn’t it?
But make no mistake – lemon water can support detoxification of your body by boosting your liver function. Your liver takes a hard hit after a night of drinking, so squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water and chug something different for a change.
If you’re trying to quit drinking, lemon water can help there as well. Drink a glass of hot lemon water to cleanse your body of alcohol and keep cravings under control.
8. Sore Muscles
Drinking lemon water after a workout can help your body rebuild itself into a much stronger mechanism by providing the nutrients it needs.
Lemon water, being highly alkalizing, can also prevent the buildup of lactic acid in your body. Lactic acid is partially to blame for that day-after sore feeling from working out.
9. Food Poisoning
Lemon water is a great thing to drink if you want to avoid food poisoning, especially if you’re travelling. The acid in lemon kills the bacteria that causes food poisoning.
If you already have food poisoning, drinking lemon water can still be helpful. You can make it even more effective in that case by drinking the lemon juice straight.
10. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
That’s a fancy way to describe when stomach acid finds its way back up into your food pipe. It burns and it tastes terrible. It’s also associated with heartburn.
Lemon juice solves this thanks to the calcium carbonate that neutralizes digestive acids. Lemon water will also balance your body’s pH levels and relieve pain and inflammation in your chest.