A small change in behavior can have a large impact.
Your health can be greatly affected by even the tiniest adjustments to your daily routine. Consider beginning your day with a glass of lemon water.
Roxanne B. Sukol, MD, MS, an expert in internal medicine, outlines seven reasons why you should think about forming this incredibly easy habit.
1. Improves digestion
Food is broken down using acid. That explains why our stomachs are so full of stuff. Lemon juice’s acid may be particularly beneficial for boosting stomach acid levels, which tend to decrease as we get older.
2. Maintains your hydration
Most people don’t get enough water to drink. A simple approach to start your day off well is to drink lemon water every day. How can you tell if you’re getting enough to drink? Your urine is essentially clear.
3. Friendly to weight loss
We are accustomed beings. Consider the effects of switching to lemon water in place of your morning cappuccino or OJ. Not just once, but possibly 20 times every month — then take that number and compound it by ten years. Your waistline will appreciate it.
4. Stops oxidation
Lemons, like all fruit, contain phytonutrients that defend your body against illness. These phytonutrients have potent antioxidant effects that shield cells from oxidative stress, the same process that results in rust.
5. Provides a sufficient amount of vitamin C
You will only increase your calorie intake by 6 calories if you squeeze half a lemon into your water. You’ll also receive more than a sixth of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, which is essential for preventing cell damage and healing wounds.
6. Increases potassium levels
Without potassium, your body can’t function properly. It is required for blood pressure management, the movement of nutrients and waste, and nerve-muscle communication. Potassium can be found in large amounts in fruits and vegetables.
7. Reduces the risk of kidney stones
Those with low urinary citrate levels can avoid painful stones by drinking lemon water (a form of citric acid). More significantly, drinking more fluids aids in avoiding dehydration, which is a common contributor to kidney stones.
Tips for enjoying lemon water.
Add a half-lemon to a glass of water and stir. The amount? When? It doesn’t matter at all. It’s a great thing for your health no matter how you do it.
Do not overlook the peel.
Zest your lemon (organic, ideally) and use it in baking or cooking to preserve the plentiful nutrients.
Will it hurt my teeth?
Though you’re diluting it here, lemon acid theoretically has the potential to damage your enamel. You should be fine as long as you don’t develop the habit of constantly sucking on lemons.
