Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Have you ever sat on a hot summer day sipping a refreshing glass of water filled with lemon slices? Well, great news, lemon water can, and should, be more than just a lovely summer treat! Lemon water is a calorie free great tasting drink that provides many health benefits.

Drinking at least two cups of warm or room temperature lemon water every day offers some amazing medicinal qualities.  Lemon water can help with improving digestion issues, detoxifying the body, reducing inflammation, and stimulating improved immune system function.  Also, lemon water helps keep your skin clear and glowing, helps with weight loss, naturally provides more energy, and helps you feel revitalized and refreshed.  Truthfully, these are only some of the wonderful benefits of lemon water.

Lemons are easy to find and contain many nutrients and minerals, including Vitamin C, B1, B2, B6, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.  Lemon water contains Vitamin C and anti-oxidants, which prevents the formation of free radicals. 

Benefits of Lemon Water for Fibromyalgia

Specifically, for those of us with Fibromyalgia, it can help those of us with digestion issues including IBS symptoms, constipation, nausea, heartburn, bloating and belching by improving the livers bile production, which aids in digestion, and by detoxifying the body.  Lemon water also helps us with pain and inflammation caused by uric acid (typically a cause of joint pain), because it helps dissolve uric acid and helps remove other acidic wastes from the body. 

Also, there are some theories currently that Fibromyalgia may be caused or exacerbated by bacteria and/or viruses.  Lemon water actually alkalizes the body, which controls and prevents the proliferation of unhealthy bacteria and viruses. 

Additionally, lemon is a natural energizer which can help combat some of the chronic fatigue many people with Fibromyalgia face daily.  On top of all of the above, lemon water can also provide relaxation of your mind and body. This helps reduce depression and anxiety as well.

Hints to Obtain Maximum Health Benefits from Lemon Water

In general, it is recommended that you drink two glasses of lemon water a day about ½ an hour before eating (this helps you absorb the nutrients in your meal more effectively as well).  Any more than that, especially initially, can cause you to experience really uncomfortable detoxification symptoms (like headache, fatigue, bowel changes).

The best lemons to select for this are organic, fresh, and locally grown (when possible). With the lemons, it’s just important to realize that purchasing the lemons already squeezed may NOT have the same benefits, even though it is easier to use.  The best type of water to use is filtered water that still contains minerals.

 

The amount of lemon to combine with your water depends on your size.  Generally someone who weighs less than 150 pounds would use about half of a lemon squeezed into one glass of water. People who weigh more than 150 pounds should use one whole lemon squeezed into the glass of water.  You can dilute the lemon to meet your individual taste preferences though!

Lastly, it is best to drink lemon water warm or at room temperature, because this will allow the lemons enzymes to fully function, leading to the most health benefits.  Hot water (boiling or tea heat) although soothing, will actually destroy some of the enzymatic properties of the lemon.   On the other hand, freezing cold water is less beneficial, because it will significantly hinder the digestive properties of the lemon.

Note: If you have an ulcer or an allergy to lemons, then you are one o f the few people who should NOT drink lemon juice. Additionally, if you are on any medications or supplements you should consult your doctor to make sure that none of them will react abnormally to lemon water. 

I hope you all take a moment to have a lovely, refreshing glass of lemon water!

REFERENCES

Barrington Patch, “Strategy 1: Drink Water with Lemons-Lifestyle Changes to Combat and Prevent Breast Cancer,” http://barrington.patch.com/blog_posts/diet-and-lifestyle-strategies-to-combat-or-help-or-prevent-breast-cancer

Dr. Akilah El- Celestial Healing Wellness Center, “The Health Benefits of Lemon Water”,http://docakilah.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/the-health-benefits-of-lemon-water/

EMR Labs, LLC, “The Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water,” http://www.quantumbalancing.com/news/lemon%20water.htm

Livestrong.com, “Is Water with Lemon Good for You?”http://www.livestrong.com/article/474135-is-water-with-lemon-good-for-you/

Natural News.com, “Ten Reasons Why You Should Have Warm Lemon or Lime Water Daily,” http://www.naturalnews.com/033383_lemon_juice_digestion.html#ixzz27xUiXx2A

Marcuss Amuelsson.com, “Recipe: Health Benefits of Lemon Water,” http://www.marcussamuelsson.com/recipe/recipe-health-benefits-of-lemon-water

USDA National Agricultural Library, “USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference” http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/