Among the popular pick-me-up beverages trending for detoxification and promoting health, the name lemon water is not unknown. Lemon juice contains vitamin C, phytonutrients, folate, potassium, and calcium. It is also low in cholesterol, salt, and saturated fat, hence consuming it causes literally no harm to the drinker, as long as it is properly diluted because the acidic content in the juice can harm the enamel of your teeth (Lewsley, 2022).
What benefits does lemon water offer?
Let’s take a look at how your body can make the most out of lemon water (Roxanne B. Sukol, 2020):
1. Prevents cellular damage and ultimately prevents diseases as the lemon juice in lemon water contains phytonutrients that are antioxidants. Studies have shown that the total consumption of phytonutrients reduces the risk of many chronic disease, including heart disease, and cancer.
2. Lemon water helps in supplying a healthy dose of vitamin C, potassium, and folate to the body. Lemon water has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Vitamin C in lemon water is essential for health, and a deficiency can lead to health problems to include scurvy. People have also used lemon water for virus prevention and have mixed with honey and ginger as treatment of colds.
3. Improves digestive health by providing the stomach with acid to digest the food. The “citric acid” found in lemon juice has been shown to boost gastric acid secretion, that helps your body to break down and digest foods. Studies also have found that pre-meal intake of lemon water appeared to promote digestion and peristalsis, to help move food through the digestive tract.
4. Regular consumption of lemon water aids in weight loss and fat metabolism (Leech, 2020). Adding lemon to your water and drinking it throughout the day will help you feel full longer, and helps to prevent snacking between meals.
5. Prevents kidney stones from forming. Dietary citrate levels are an important factor in anyone with a history of calcium-based kidney stones. Speciffically, calcium oxalate stones are among the most common types of kidney stones. Citrate, a salt in citric acid, binds to calcium and helps block stone formation. Studies have shown that drinking lemon juice concentrate diluted in water each day, can increase urine citrate and likely reduce kidney stone risk.
6. Can help boost mental concentration. Potassium in lemons helps with brain and nerve function, which can increase your alertness.
How to make lemon water?
Squeeze half a lemon in a glass of water, and for an added benefit you can add the zest of the lemon by grating it in the water.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
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