Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water In The Morning

A glass of lemon water first thing in the morning is one of the best ways to support your body. It alkalizes your system, flushes toxins & boosts digestion.

One of the principles I teach in my Nourishing Foods Cleanses is starting every day with a glass of lemon water. Many of the members of the cleansing community tell me they have made this practice part of their daily routine even after the cleanse is over.  I love hearing how the practices from the cleanse find their way into their life to deliver continued harmony and balance.   It is my intention in all of my cleanses to give you tricks and tips to satisfy your cravings and boost your body’s ability to thrive beyond just the 5 days. I run the Nourishing Food Cleanse 4 times a year.  Each season I give you the exact foods, menus, protocol and powerful transformational processes to support your body.  You will feel leaner, lighter and energized.

I have been starting my day with lemon water for months and it has made a huge difference for me.  Having a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning is one of the best ways to support your body each day.  Lemon water alkalizes your body, flushes the toxins that have built up while sleeping and jump starts your digestion.  Creating this as a morning ritual is an easy way to make an improvement in your health.

Aren’t lemons acidic?

Even though lemons are acidic outside the body when they are metabolized inside your body their minerals are dissociated in the bloodstream and its effect is alkalizing.  It raises your pH, reducing acidity in your blood.   Your body operates best at a neutral pH of 7.365.

Some of the things your body gets acidic from are sugar, meat, and processed foods. Pollution in the air and water, pesticides, antibiotics and other harmful compounds in our food create acids in your system.  We also get acidic from stress.

Your body regularly deals with naturally occurring acids that are by products of respiration, metabolism, cellular breakdown, and exercise. We become acidic at night normally as we detox when we sleep.   Problems occurs when our acidic diets and lifestyles add to the load and our body get overwhelmed.

Lemon  is the #1, ingredient you can add to your water to reduce acidic build up.  Lemon water will help increase your energy and melt off excess weight.

 

How To Make and Use Lemon Water

• Have your lemons at room temperature.  A room temperature lemon has a softer texture that makes it easier to squeeze so you get more juice.
• Use room temperature or slightly warm water.  Iced cold water makes your body do extra work to warm it up.
• Always use fresh lemons.  I use the juice of 1 small lemon in 12 oz of water.
• Drink the lemon water first thing and at least 10 minutes before eating any food.
• It is helpful to have a citrus juice press or some type of hand juicer. Having a tool,  juices a lemon without a lot of effort.  It extracts the juice from the lemon and catches most of the seeds, all in one step. Alternately you can use a spoon to scoop out the juice and let the seeds fall to the bottom of your cup.
• If you use organic lemons, grate the skin for lemon zest to add to dressing and sauces.  The anti-bacterial pectin is concentrated in the skin.  You can freeze the zest.
• It is best not to brush your teeth just after drinking lemon water as the citric acid can soften tooth enamel.  You can even rinse your mouth after you finish your lemon water.

 What if it is too sour for me?

If the sour taste is strong it indicates your body is very acidic.  If that is the case use ½ or ¼ of a lemon in 12 oz of water to start.  As your body gets more alkaline it will not taste sour at all.  Consistency is key here, stay with it.

EXCEPTION: If you have strong acid reflux or mouth ulcers the lemon juice will cause a burning sensation when passing through those areas as it has not been metabolized by your body yet and is still in an acidic state.  If that is the case other remedies would be better.

 

Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Cleanses Toxins From Your System

Lemon juice is a diuretic and stimulates your kidneys to flush out unwanted toxins through the urine.  Lemons also stimulate the liver’s detoxification pathways further removing toxins.

Improves Your Digestion

Lemons aid in the production of digestive juices. Lemon juice stimulates the liver to produce bile which is required for breaking down fats.  The chemical composition of lemon juice helps balance the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver to relieve heartburn, gas and bloating.   A glass of lemon water can relieve these symptom.

Prevents Constipation

The vitamins and minerals. in lemons clear toxins in the digestive tract and stimulates good bowel movements. Lemons contain pectin fiber which is very beneficial for colon health and is antibacterial.

Boosts Your Immunity

Lemons are high in Vitamin C, which is key for fighting off viruses. Vitamin C has an anti-inflammatory effect throughout your body and is beneficial for the absorption of iron.  More iron increases your red blood cells giving you more energy.  Lemons are antimicrobial and reduce the amount of mucus produced by the body therefore helping prevent colds and flu.

Good for Your Skin

The Vitamin C in lemons, plays a role in collagen synthesis making it vital for skin health. Collagen production prevents wrinkles, thinning skin and brittle hair.  Collagen keeps you looking young.   Lemon’s  alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne.   Since it reduces toxins it keeps your skin clear from the inside.

 Improves Brain Function

Lemons are high in potassium which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure.

Reduces Joint Pain

Drinking lemon water regularly reduces pain and inflammation in the joints because it dissolves uric acid.  Since it helps lower the overall acidity in the body it has an anti-inflammatory effect. Acidity is one of the primary causes of inflammation

Helps with Weight Loss

Having a more alkaline pH has been shown to help people lose weight faster and keep it off.  When your body is less acidic all your organs function better which is key for natural permanent weight loss.

 Do you drink lemon water in the morning?  What benefits have you experienced from it?

You can help calculate your water intake with this “Water Intake Calculator”