Drinking a glass of warm lemon water will not only improve your health but also make you look better! The vitamin C in lemons boosts immunity and reduces signs of premature aging. Lemon water also helps maintain a healthy digestive system and assist you in losing unhealthy fat! It can also help you get rid of your odorous morning breath. What's more, the linalool in lemons also allays stress and anxiety.
Do you find yourself reaching out to your hot cup of coffee every morning? What if you could swap your coffee for a drink that gives you the same boost as caffeine but without any side effects? Yes, we’re talking about a glass of warm lemon water! Drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning detoxes your body, keeps diseases at bay, and reduces those morning jitters!
Ayurveda recommends morning rituals that work to align the body with nature’s rhythms, balance the doshas, and foster self-esteem and self-discipline. According to ayurvedic principles, the first thing you consume in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Drinking warm lemon water in the morning is one such ritual that provides tremendous benefits to your overall health.1 Here are 7 benefits of drinking warm lemon water every morning!
1. Improves Digestion
Lemon juice helps in digestion by stimulating the secretion of bile by the liver. Bile breaks down fat and aids in its absorption by the small intestine. Lemon water is also known to reduce constipation, bloating, and heartburn. When consumed with warm water, lemon water also flushes out toxins from the digestive tracks and keeps infections at bay.2 3 4
2. Boosts Immunity
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system and fight viral diseases. One lemon gives 30.7 mg vitamin C.5 Saponin, a chemical compound present in lemons, is also known to strengthen immunity.6 7 The inclusion of saponin in your diet can also lower your risk of cholesterol and heart disease.
3. Balances The pH Levels
Lemon is acidic but displays alkaline properties within the body. The alkaline nature of lemon reduces the acidity of the body and balances the pH levels. And a balanced pH level of the body means a healthy gut. Lemon also detoxes and rejuvenates the body by flushing out the acidic toxins from the body.
4. Assist In Weight Loss
Although lemon water on its own is no weight loss miracle, it can help you achieve faster and long-term results. If you add a bit of the lemon zest to your water, the pectin fiber in it can reduce your food cravings, helping you overcome the urge to snack between meals. Drinking this early morning can keep you from overeating for the rest of the day!
A study also showed that the citric acid in lemon water can help manage weight and reduce high blood pressure.9 10 Lemon water is also believed to assist weight loss by increasing metabolism, although there is no substantial evidence to back this up.
5. Fights Stress And Anxiety
The scent of lemons can ease your stress and anxiety levels. Since depression is hardest to deal with in the mornings, drinking a glass of lemon water right after you wake up is useful. Popularly used in traditional aromatherapy, lemons are known to elevate mood, reduce inflammation, and fight depression. The linalool in lemons, when inhaled, alters gene activity and blood chemistry to provide relief from stress and soothe the mind.11
6. Reduces Signs Of Aging
While the formation of wrinkles in old age is absolutely normal, it’s premature aging that we’re concerned about. Lemons are known to reduce signs of premature aging and keep the skin healthy. In a study, middle-aged American women who consumed high quantities vitamin C were less prone to develop wrinkles and dry skin than the ones whose diet lacked healthy amounts of the vitamin.12 13
Lemon also contains antioxidants that keep your skin clear, reduce signs of aging, and keep you looking young. You can also trade your evening coffee with lemon water to see its effects on your skin – the lemon goodness isn’t reserved for the mornings!14
7. Helps Get Rid Of Morning Breath
You don’t have to wait till you brush your teeth to get rid of your morning breath! Drinking lemon water every morning freshens your breath and neutralizes the morning odor. Drink a glass of lemon water to ward off foul breath. What’s more, lemon water can also fight gingivitis and tooth issues!15
Who knew drinking lemon water in the morning had so many benefits? However, remember to drink the lemon water when it’s warm – if it’s too hot or too cold, your body will need excess energy to absorb lemon’s nutrients, and you will not be able to gain maximum benefits from it.
Tag: Health