Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

There are many benefits to drinking lemon water first thing in the morning, but these are my top 8!
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1. Hydration

After sleeping for (maybe) 8 hours a night, our body can get dehydrated.  Drinking water first thing in the morning, can rehydrate our cells and aid our body in performing it's functions optimally.

​2. Diuretic

Bye bye water weight.  Lemon is a diuretic that will help flush out excess fluids and uric acid from our bodies, reducing bloating and inflammation.

​3. Freshens Breath

Lemons have antiseptic properties that can reduce the bacteria in our mouths.  I think we all know that morning breath isn't pleasant.  Drink up!

4. Radiant Skin

Water alone will give your skin a more plump and youthful appearance when you are well hydrated.  Adding lemon will give you a boost of antioxidants that will help repair damaged cells and flush out toxins that can lead to dull and problematic skin.  

5. Digestion

Drinking water before a meal will help lubricate the digestive tract and will flush out undigested waste from the colon.  Lemon is similar to saliva on a molecular level, so by adding lemon to your water you are stimulating the production of bile--a fluid necessary for our body to flush out waste and toxins.  

​6. Metabolism & Weight Loss

Drinking a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day can boost your caloric burn by 30%.  This is based on a study performed by Michael Boschmann of the Franz Volhard Research Center.  The additional benefits of flushing out excess water weight and undigested waste as noted above, will make a difference the next time you step on the scale.

7. Improves Lung Health

This is an important one for me!  While drinking lemon water should not replace medications, it can aid in thinning mucus and improving the symptoms of a cold or allergies.  

8. Reverses Damage Caused by Stress

Our Vitamin C levels plummet when we are stressed.  Since lemons are high in this necessary Vitamin, drinking a glass first thing (and throughout the day) can aid in boosting our immunity, lower our blood pressure, and balance blood sugar levels.  We all know stress can wreak havoc on our health, so take a few minutes to add this drink to your morning routine!
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I prefer to drink cool water, but you can also drink lukewarm water for additional benefits.  I squeeze the juice of half a lemon into my water and drink 15-20 minutes before consuming any food.  
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I like to slice up cucumbers and add them to a pitcher of filtered water to drink throughout the day.  I add slices of lemons and limes individually to my glass, because letting them soak in the water will cause a bitter taste due to the rinds.  Adding flavor to my water helps me stay hydrated & the cucumber provides additional health benefits.

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I hope you will try to implement this into your daily routine.  Feel free to comment below with your own experience! 

xo Sarah