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.
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.
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.
About Author
Beth, a graphic designer, illustrator and print maker living in Long Beach
You can see more info via visiting her web site tasty-yummies.com
