11 Reasons to Drink Lemon Water in the Morning
Found myself out of town last weekend and couldn’t make up a batch of my Lemon Liver Flush. So instead, I purchased some lemons and used the juice in a glass of filtered water each morning.
A glass of warm lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is very beneficial in several ways. Lemon juice is loaded with antioxidants, protein, vitamins B and C, flavonoids, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates, and volatile oils. Lemon juice possesses antibacterial, anti-viral, and immune-building properties. It helps boost the immune system and fight infection due to high levels of bioflavonoids, pectin, limonene, citric acid, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins. A glass of warm lemon water on an empty stomach flushes the system, aids digestion, fights hunger cravings, promotes weight-loss, and creates an alkaline-forming environment to balance the body’s pH.
Because of how hard lemon juice can be on the enamel of your teeth, it’s important to dilute it with water of any temperature (though lukewarm is recommended). Drink it first thing in the morning, and wait 15 to 30 minutes to have breakfast. This will help you fully receive the benefits of lemon water, which are listed below. Aim for juice of half of a lemon for those weighing up to 150 pounds; juice of a whole lemon for those weighing more than 150 pounds.
1. Supports Digestion
Lemon juice not only encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract, it helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping, and bloating. It encourages the production of bile, which is what breaks down food during digestion.
2. Helps Heal Acne
Consuming lemon water helps metabolize the acidic temperament of the body, alleviating and preventing acne breakouts.
3. Helps to Cut Out Caffeine
Believe it or not, when I start my day with my Lemon Liver Flush, I don’t really crave my coffee. This is a great way to wean off the caffeine. And my nerves are grateful.
4. Appetite Suppression and Weight-Loss
The vitamins and enzymes in lemons help regulate blood sugar in order to maintain normal weight levels. Pectin fiber found in the rind of an organic lemon (see recipe for Lemon Liver Flush) helps fight hunger cravings.
5. Flushes Out Kidney Stones
Potassium in lemons helps increase citrate levels in the urine to prevent oxalate from forming.
6. Boosts Your Immune System
Lemon water is a great support to the lymphatic system, which works in conjunction with your immune system to trap and eliminate pathogens. Lemons are high in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that enhances the immune system and has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
7. Protects Your Heart
Lemons are rich in Vitamin C, a nutrient that has been linked to improved heart health. Vitamin C can lower blood cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, lower blood pressure, increase the production of HDL (good) cholesterol, fight off free radicals, and lower blood lipoprotein levels.
8. Reduce Gall Bladder Pain
Drinking lemon water while eating has helped some deal with painful gall bladder stones.
9. Reduces Inflammation
Lemons have anti-inflammatory properties. They also help neutralize acidity which is the main cause of tissue inflammation.
10. Reduces Joint Swelling and Pain
Did you know that lemons can help to deal with the pain of swollen joints? Lemon water can help reduce uric acid in our joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation, especially as related to arthritis.
11. Reduces Alcohol Cravings
Whether you’re in recovery or just cutting back, one client reports success by drinking lemon water at parties to help kick a craving for alcohol.
However, if you want to kick it up a notch—try my Lemon Liver Flush. We drink about 3 ounces every morning and use it as a delivery mechanism for our liquid minerals. So much of what is valuable in the lemon is found in the peel. Be sure to only use organic lemons for this recipe.
Redeeming Wellness Lemon Liver Flush
1 quart pure, filtered water (not distilled)
1 whole organic lemon, washed and quartered
2 TBSP organic, extra virgin olive oil
2 TBSP Braggs apple cider vinegar
1 to 4 squirts vanilla stevia to taste (liquid, not powdered)
1 TBSP coconut oil or MCT oil (optional)
Using a Vitamix, or Nutri Bullet-type blender, add water, quartered lemon, and EVOO. Blend on high until completely emulsified.
Pour through a strainer into a glass or steel pitcher. Dispose of the pulp.
Now add the ACV and Stevia to taste. The mixture should be tart, not overly sweet.
May also add coconut oil or MCT oil (optional) at this point.
Drink up!
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