Many of us love to throw a slice of lemon in our water. The flavor is very pleasant, but it turns out there are more benefits than just the flavor — there are health benefits, as well. Here are some the things that happen to your body when you drink water infused with lemon.
1) Your body will rehydrate more efficiently.
Lemon water is the perfect drink after a workout. Long before sports drinks were a thing, people would re-hydrate with lemon added to their water.
When we exercise, we lose electrolytes. In order to re-hydrate, we need to replace these electrolytes, which isn’t done through water alone. By adding lemon to your water, your body will get additional nutrients that will help speed up the process of replacing electrolytes in your body.
2) Your digestion will improve.
Moving food efficiently through the body is important for overall health. It prevents problems in the colon and ensures that your metabolism is working as efficiently as it should.
The pectin in lemons aids in this digestion. Drinking a glass of warm lemon water in the morning can kick-start your metabolism and prevent waste from backing up in your body. It’s a great addition to your morning coffee.
3) Your skin will get softer.
Proper hydration leads to softer skin. Because lemons assist in hydration, your skin will naturally appear softer, even without moisturizer.
Lemons also contain antioxidants which smooth wrinkles and clear up blemishes on your skin. It also prevents the build-up of toxins in the body, toxins which can make you appear older than you are.
4) You’ll have better liver health.
The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. It serves as a filter for our body, flushing out toxins and keeping us healthy. Because of its importance, we need to do everything possible to keep our livers healthy.
The citric acid in lemons can minimize toxins in the body, easing the strain on your liver. It also removes harmful bacteria from your body which prevents illness and improves overall health.
5) You’ll get your daily dose of potassium.
Everyone knows bananas are a great source of potassium, but few know that lemons are also packed with this nutrient. When you add a lemon to your water, you ensure that your body is getting the recommended dosage of potassium each day.
This is important because this mineral helps with brain function, heart health, and kidney function. If you’re not a huge fan of bananas, just add some lemon to your water to get the nutrients you need.
6) You’ll have less inflammation in your body.
Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury. But chronic inflammation occurs when your body tries to fight injuries that don’t actually exist. It can lead to a variety of health problems, including cancer.
Lemons help lower the acidity levels in your body, reducing inflammation by eliminating uric acid. If you find that you have puffy, swollen legs or ankles, try adding lemon to your water to see if the problem subsides.