I love lemons. In fact, you can catch me squeezing, poking, and prodding these succulent sweeties almost any day of the week. I put them on almost everything. I love the versatility of flavor, and, of course, the benefits.
One of my favorite and most accessible ways to suck down this vitamin C powerhouse is through lemon water. Squeeze a whole lemon into a cup of water (hot or cold) and guzzle it down, or slowly sip on it throughout the day. There are many amazing benefits to this short and easy ritual, but below are my favorite five:
1. It's a great source of vitamin C.
No, not the pop singer. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for giving our body the immune boost it needs to stay in check. When vitamin C levels are low, little to no repair happens in the body. These citrus delights are also high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium helps reduce free radicals, increases red blood cell production and controls blood pressure. What does all this mean in real-talk? More energy, clearer skin, anti-aging properties, less sickness, less stress, and more focus! Um, yes please.
2. It balances pH levels.
Our pH level speaks to the balance between the alkaline and acidic properties in the body. When our body enters a more acidic state, it breeds sickness and disease. This is news to many people, because so often disease feels like an isolated event that can't be controlled. While there are many factors to disease, controlling what you can is a great way to give your body the attention it deserves. Add more alkaline foods, and your whole body starts to wake up, repair, fight, and become a power-house of healing and rejuvenating. Lemon is one of the most alkaline foods around!
3. It aids weight loss.
Did you know that if your body is out of balance it is incredibly difficult to lose weight? Having a happy, healthy body and mind is one of the fastest ways to weight loss. A more alkaline diet makes for a happier person, and according to Eating Well Magazine, people with more alkaline diets tend to lose weight faster. Also, lemons contain pectin fiber, which helps set your body back to normal hunger levels. On board yet? If not, don't worry there are two more genius benefits coming your way.
4. It improves digestion.
The way your gut processes food has everything to do with — yep, you guessed it — your happiness! A clogged or misfiring digestive tract usually indicates a bigger problem in the body. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials, and encourages the production of bile in your body. This synergistic effect helps to soothe and normalize the the body's digestive process.
5. It helps you kick the coffee habit.
I swoon over coffee. The aroma, the color, the flavor. It just gets me. In more ways than I could possibly list here. But it also gets my nervous system, digestion, and energy, and not in an endearing way. I finally kicked the habit 100% about four months ago (no more casual dating for me). Adding lemon into my diet was essential. Don't get me wrong, kicking coffee is NOT easy, especially if you're a regular. Having something to replace it with is essential to making the transition less shocking on the body.
No food practice or quick fix is a miracle. It's all part of a balanced diet and having perspective. Making small choices that will stick around long term is key to tapping into your body's sweet and awesome natural state. Try it on!
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com Source : www.mindbodygreen.com
