Needed to read PDF's

Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader

Lemon Benefits


10 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

 

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Lemons are packed like a clown car of nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. They even contain more potassium than apples or grapes!

Let’s take a look at the nutritional value of lemons:

Here is the approximate nutritional value of raw lemon per 100 grams:

Nutrient Amount per 100g
Calories 29
Water 88%
Protein 1.1g
Carbohydrates 9.3g
Sugars 2.5g
Dietary Fiber 2.8g
Fat 0.3g
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 53mg (88% DV)
Thiamine (B1) 0.04mg (3% DV)
Riboflavin (B2) 0.02mg (1% DV)
Niacin (B3) 0.1mg (1% DV)
Vitamin B6 0.08mg (4% DV)
Folate (B9) 11μg (3% DV)
Vitamin E 0.15mg (1% DV)
Vitamin K 0.5μg (1% DV)
Calcium 26mg (3% DV)
Iron 0.6mg (3% DV)
Magnesium 8mg (2% DV)
Phosphorus 16mg (2% DV)
Potassium 138mg (4% DV)
Zinc 0.1mg (1% DV)

These values are approximate and can vary based on factors like the size and variety of the lemon. Additionally, daily values (DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Lemons are particularly known for their high vitamin C content and are a good source of antioxidants and other essential nutrients.

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), and not to drink it throughout the day. Drinking lemon water through a straw is also recommended to limit the exposure of acid in the lemon to your teeth.

1. Banishes Acne

Lemon water fights acne and other blemishes by giving your kidney and liver a boost. It allows the liver to purify your blood more efficiently. Additionally, the antioxidants in lemons (like vitamin C) fight the development of acne (teenagers, take note!). Drinking hot lemon water in the morning is known to do wonders in terms of eliminating any toxins present in your system.

It can also be applied to scars and age spots to reduce their appearance. Because it’s detoxifying your blood, it will maintain your skin’s overall radiance.

2. Helps Aid 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. Drinking warm lemon water before eating is suggested because it helps to prepare your body for the meal you are about to eat.

It does this by kick-starting the production of bile in your system, which in turn is used to break down all of the things that you eat. As a natural diuretic, lemon water also helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly by clearing it of possible obstructions, which is the key to maintaining your overall health.

3. Helps You Lose Weight

Lemons contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings. While it won’t actually burn off any of your excess fat, it can help you replace the empty calories in soda or sweetened coffee with something that is much healthier in comparison. Do note that pectin fiber is mostly in the peel and the seeds of a lemon. There is some in the pulp of the lemon but only when it is being put in the water will the benefit be reaped. Pure lemon juice will not contain enough pulp to get you the satiating feeling.

Lemon water indirectly does help you in releasing excess pounds by tackling your hunger pangs. The pectin fiber present in lemons acts to give you a feeling of fullness, meaning you won’t have to eat as much to feel satisfied.

4. Reduces Inflammation

If you drink lemon water on a regular basis, it will decrease the acidity in your body, which is where disease states occur.

It removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation. If you have sore or achy knees and joints, starting the day off with a nice cup of warm lemon water might be just what the doctor ordered. This is mainly because the beverage helps to eliminate the uric acid that is responsible for many of your aches and pains.

5. Freshens Your Breath

Lemon water relieves toothaches and gingivitis. The citric acid can erode tooth enamel, either hold off on brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water or brush your teeth before drinking it.

This can be especially useful in the morning when “morning breath” might persist even after you brush your teeth. Lemon water works to keep your mouth smelling great thanks to its antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the cause of most bad breaths is a dry mouth, and lemon water works to cure that.

Almost everybody likes the smell of lemons, so that helps too!

6. It Boosts Your Heart Health

Heart disease is a major threat to human health. But honey lemon water can also help to reduce your chances of developing this serious condition.

Lemons are rich in potassium, which has been shown to lower blood pressure levels, a major risk factor for heart attacks. Also, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to protect the heart muscles from inflammation and other forms of stress.

7. Prevents Allergies

Thanks to the vitamin C and antioxidants in lemons, lemon water does a great job of both boosting your immune system and balancing your body’s chemical properties. Thus, it equips your body to fight off allergy attacks. So if there’s a lot of pollen in the air and you feel the sniffles, grab a lemon and go to work.

8. Revitalizes Your Eyes

The numerous antioxidants and nutrients present within lemon juice do a great job of fighting off many of the more common eye-related maladies, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Though drinking lemon water alone won’t be enough to outright cure any eye problems you might have currently, it does serve as an easy way to take preventative measures against any further damage.

9. Serves as a Natural Antacid

As a citrus fruit, you might think it to be a bit strange that lemons reduce the amount of acid in your system, but it’s true. What it does is replace acid with alkaline, essentially tackling your acid problems at the source instead of just addressing the symptoms (which is what many over-the-counter drugs do).

10. Gives you an Energy Boost

Lemon juice provides your body with energy when it enters your digestive tract. It also helps reduce anxiety and depression. Even the scent of lemons has a calming effect on your nervous system!

 


How to Drink Lemon Water for Better Health

 

To prevent the acid in the lemon from damaging your teeth, you are recommended to:

  • Use one wedge of fresh lemon
  • Drink through a straw to minimize contact with the teeth
  • Drink it at room temperature

You can also consider drinking lemon water first thing in the morning as this can jump-start your day with a good source of vitamin C from the lemon and all the benefits of naturally hydrating with water.

Drinking lemon water is one of the most substantial yet simple changes you can make for your health. Here are some recipes you can try with simple ingredients at home.

1. Cucumber Lemon Water

It takes only a few minutes to make this simple cucumber lemon water recipe. But if you want a deep flavor, you can wait for an hour for the lemon and cucumber to infuse fully into the water!

Simply cut up a cucumber and lemon into thin slices. Add the slices in a pitcher and mash them up. Then, add up to 8 glasses of water.

Cucumber lemon water benefits include it being:

  • An awesome, flavorful replacement for water
  • Rich in vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium
  • An excellent replacement for sugary drinks
  • Quite fancy looking!

2. Honey Lemon Water

Simply add the juice from one-half of a lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water, stir it together and drink. It is most effective if enjoyed in the morning before breakfast.

And that’s it! But don’t underestimate the amazing health benefits of this incredibly simple drink. Explore the benefits of honey lemon water here.

3. Ginger, Turmeric, and Lemon water

This is where you really spice things up.

Take 4 thin slices of fresh ginger root, juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, and 8 cups of water. Mix all the ingredients together.

You can take this cold (refrigerate for a few hours) or hot. If you prefer a hot serving, add all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat to prepare soothing tea!

Ginger and turmeric benefits include:

  • Turmeric is powerfully anti-inflammatory. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
  • With these wonderfully healthy ingredients, this concoction helps fight off allergies and boost digestion.
  • Serves both as a wonderful cold and hot drink!

4. Strawberry-Infused Lemon Water

Add a cup of fresh strawberries and slices of half a lemon in a pitcher. Mash them up. Add 8 glasses of water. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving to allow the flavors time to develop.

Strawberries and lemons are both rich in vitamin C. Also, strawberries are great for your skin. All in all, this makes an amazingly refreshing and delicious drink!

5. Cantaloupe and Mint-Infused Lemon Water

Cutting down on sugar and artificial sweeteners is great. But what if you want some sweet flavor to go with the tanginess of lemon water? Try cantaloupe and mint-infused lemon water.

Add in a cup of peeled cantaloupe, a few mint leaves, and slices of half lemon in a pitcher. Mash them up and pour in about 8 cups of water. Refrigerate for up to 12 hours to bring out the flavors.

Whether you opt for the ‘fancier’ recipes or you reach for the simple but powerful lemon water, you’ll be taking sure steps to improve your health!

 


Varieties of Lemon

 

There are several varieties of lemons, each with its own unique characteristics in terms of flavor, size, and appearance. Some of the well-known varieties include:

  • Eureka Lemon: This is one of the most common and widely available varieties. Eureka lemons are medium to large in size, with a bright yellow color. They have a tangy and tart flavor and are often used for their juice.
  • Lisbon Lemon: Similar to the Eureka lemon, Lisbon lemons are also common and widely used for their juice. They are virtually indistinguishable in taste from Eureka lemons but may have differences in terms of tree characteristics.
  • Meyer Lemon: Known for their sweeter and less acidic flavor, Meyer lemons are smaller and rounder than Eureka and Lisbon lemons. They have a thin, smooth skin that can range from yellow to orange. Meyer lemons are often used in both sweet and savory dishes.
  • Ponderosa Lemon: Ponderosa lemons are large and have a thick, bumpy skin. They are less common than other lemon varieties and are not as widely used for culinary purposes. Their flavor is similar to Eureka and Lisbon lemons.
  • Yen Ben Lemon: Yen Ben lemons are a popular variety in Australia. They are medium-sized with a thin, smooth skin and have a tart flavor. Yen Ben lemons are often used for their juice in cooking and beverages.
  • Femminello St. Teresa (Sorrento Lemon): This Italian lemon variety is grown in the Sorrento region. It is known for its intense aroma and high juice content. Sorrento lemons are commonly used in limoncello production.
  • Verna Lemon: This is a Spanish lemon variety, also known as “Spanish Eureka.” Verna lemons are similar to Eureka lemons, but they have a slightly different harvesting season.
  • Lisbon Lemon: Lisbon lemons are another common commercial variety. They are virtually identical to Eureka lemons in terms of taste and appearance, and the two are often considered interchangeable.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other regional and specialty varieties of lemons, each with its own unique characteristics. The availability of specific varieties may vary depending on the geographical region and local agricultural practices.

 


What Does Lemon Taste Like

 

Lemons have a distinctive taste that is characterized by a combination of tartness and citrusy brightness. The flavor profile of a lemon can be described as follows:

  • Tartness: Lemons are known for their high acidity, which gives them a sharp, tangy taste. This tartness is a key element in their flavor profile and is what sets lemons apart from sweeter citrus fruits.
  • Citrusy: Lemons have a strong citrus flavor, with a refreshing and zesty quality. The citrus notes contribute to the overall brightness of the taste.
  • A Hint of Sweetness: While lemons are primarily known for their tartness, they also contain a small amount of natural sugars. This subtle sweetness helps balance out the overall flavor but is not as pronounced as the tartness.
  • Aromatic: The essential oils in the peel of the lemon contribute to its aromatic quality. The scent of a lemon is often as recognizable as its taste and can be fresh, bright, and invigorating.

The combination of these elements makes lemons a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. Their tartness can add a lively kick to beverages, dressings, and desserts, while their citrusy flavor enhances the overall taste of a wide range of culinary creations. Keep in mind that there can be slight variations in flavor among different lemon varieties, with some, like Meyer lemons, having a sweeter and less acidic profile compared to standard Eureka or Lisbon lemons.

 


The bottom line

Lemons are a refreshing fruit usually not eaten whole but rather as a garnish or flavoring.

They are an excellent source of vitamin C, soluble fibers, and plant compounds — all of which can provide health benefits.

If you’re interested in trying them out, lemons are sure to boost your health.

 



Find me on Social Media

                               


 

 


Don't forget to bookmark me to see updates..

 

Copyright © 2000 - 2025    K. Kerr

Most recent revision May 04, 2025 08:12:28 PM