Something that has been very
important for my body during this 7-Day Spring
Cleanse, but has also been a
part of my daily routine for a few months now, is drinking warm
lemon water. I have started (almost) every day with a glass of warm
lemon water and it has made a huge differences for me. Warm lemon
water in the morning helps kickstart the digestion process for the
day. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, choices that you make
regarding your daily routine either build up resistance to disease
or tear it down. Ayurveda invites us to get a jump-start on the day
by focusing on morning rituals that work to align the body with
nature’s rhythms, balance the doshas and foster self-esteem
alongside self-discipline.
There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for
centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial,
antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight
loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser.
Lemons contain many substances–notably citric acid, calcium,
magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene–that
promote immunity and fight infection.
HOW TO DO
IT: You should be using purified water and it should
be lukewarm not scalding hot. You want to avoid ice cold water,
since that can be a lot for your body to process and it takes more
energy to process ice cold water than the warm. Always use fresh
lemons, organic if possible, never bottled lemon juice. I squeeze
1/2 a lemon with each glass and I drink it down first thing before
I eat a single thing, or workout, etc.
10 Benefits to Drinking
Warm Lemon Water Every Morning
1) Aids
Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials
and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to
saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages
the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for
digestion. Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help
loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. The digestive
qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion,
such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer
Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer
sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.
2) Cleanses Your
System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out
unwanted materials in part because lemons increase the rate of
urination in the body. Therefore toxins are released at a faster
rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. The citric acid
in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the
liver and aids in detoxification.
3) Boosts Your
Immune System. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is
great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium, which
stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control
blood pressure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons
demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, and is used as
complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms
plus it enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an
important role in immune function. Lemons also contain saponins,
which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu
at bay. Lemons also reduce the amount of phlegm produced by the
body.
4) Balances pH
Levels. Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for
the body. Sure, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies
they’re alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the
body once metabolized). Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic
acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the
mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood. Disease
states only occur when the body pH is acidic. Drinking lemon
water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body,
including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary
causes of pain and inflammation.
5) Clears
Skin. The vitamin C component as well as other
antioxidants helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and it helps to
combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is vital for healthy glowing
skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known
to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age
spots to help reduce their appearance. Since lemon water purges
toxins from your blood, it would also be helping to keep your skin
clear of blemishes from the inside out. The vitamin C contained in
the lemon rejuvenates the skin from within your body.
6) Energizes You
and Enhances Your Mood. The energy a human receives
from food comes from the atoms and molecules in your food. A
reaction occurs when the positive charged ions from food enter the
digestive tract and interact with the negative charged enzymes.
Lemon is one of the few foods that contain more negative charged
ions, providing your body with more energy when it enters the
digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and
energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your
mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety
and depression.
7) Promotes
Healing. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in
abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential
nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue,
and cartilage. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays
anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential
nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress
and injury.
8) Freshens
Breath. Besides fresher breath, lemons have
been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. Be
aware that citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should be
mindful of this. No not brush your teeth just after drinking your
lemon water. It is best to brush your teeth first, then drink your
lemon water, or wait a significant amount of time after to brush
your teeth. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with purified
water after you finish your lemon water.
9) Hydrates Your
Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the
immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body.
When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the
side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased
immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood
pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling
stressed, just to name a few.
10) Aids in Weight
Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps
fight hunger cravings. Studies have shown people who maintain a
more alkaline diet, do in fact lose weight faster. I personally
find myself making better choices throughout the day, if I start my
day off right, by making a health conscious choice to drink warm
lemon water first thing every morning.
