Lemon water is so incredibly vested with health and beauty benefits that even nutritionists and doctors vouch for it. The beverage is suffused with a rich dose of vitamin C that makes it highly beneficial for health. The health and beauty benefits of lemon water are numerous when taken on an empty stomach every morning.
Lemon water detox drink can be prepared by following the simple recipe. Drinking lemon water regularly benefits health in magical ways.
The nutritional profile of lemon water constitutes a rich array of essential nutrients. Its rich nutritional profile constitutes of the following-
Lemon water benefits for health and beauty include-
It aids in the natural treatment of mental and physical ailments such as arthritis, fever, indigestion, constipation, anxiety, depression and more. Lemon water is an excellent energy booster and can be taken daily for a regular enhancement of physical energy and mental focus.
Recommended Read: Home Remedies for Constipation
The rich content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in lemon water makes it incredibly beneficial for health. Elucidated below are 20 surprising health and beauty benefits of lemon water.
The low-calorie content of lemon water makes it incredibly beneficial for the loss of excess body weight. This helps to feel full and suppresses appetite. The polyphenols contained in lemon water increases the expenditure of energy and enhances oxidation of fats which contributes to the shedding of excessive weight. It accelerates the body metabolic rate and its diuretic nature makes it greatly effective for the weight loss diet.
Lemon water is highly beneficial for decreasing the blood glucose level. It improves the fasting blood sugar level and works as an excellent detoxifier to cleanse the pancreas and enhance its functionality of insulin secretion.
It optimizes the secretion of insulin in the islets of Langerhans cells of the pancreas and controls the level of blood glucose quite effectively.
Regular consumption of lemon water is highly beneficial for people suffering from diabetes as it can control either surge or drop in the level of blood glucose and calm any such abnormalities thus keeping the diabetic patient safe and in good health.
Lemon water is highly beneficial for the control of high blood pressure. Regular consumption of lemon water ensures healthy blood circulation and aids in the control of blood pressure by preventing any sudden spike or drop in pressure and thereby protecting the cardiovascular system.
Its rich content of vitamins and minerals maintains the health of the cardiovascular system and aids in the elimination of high cholesterol.
Warm lemon water is an excellent home remedy for any kind of respiratory troubles ranging from a sore throat and nasal congestion to asthma and bronchitis.
If you are suffering from a severe coughing fit or you are feeling quite feverish with a broken throat and sore, congested chest then nothing else will make you feel better than a cup of warm lemon water infusion sweetened with a dash of raw honey.
Lemon water is known for its antitussive property that helps in controlling the coughing fit and curing nasal congestion. The expectorant nature of warm lemon water helps in the expulsion of phlegm thus relieving chest congestion and headache.
Also Read: Home Remedies for Headache
Lemon water enhances digestion and keeps digestive disorders at bay. It protects the inner lining of the intestines from the corrosive effects of chemical drugs and helps in curing indigestion. The essence of lemon water cures the feeling of nausea and vomiting.
Consumption of lemon water early in the morning on an empty stomach helps in the regulation of bowel movement, and aids in the cleaning of the intestines. The anti-inflammatory properties of the tea cure intestinal lesions and ulcers and eliminate stomach cramps, flatulence and bloating.
Being loaded with vitamins and essential nutrients, honey and lemon water is highly beneficial for the enhancement of the immune system. It is packed with antioxidants that protect the body from oxidative damage by fighting against free radicals.
Regular consumption of lemon water enhances the immune-responses to pathogens and ailments. It also helps to keep cold, flu, sinus and other such minor infections at bay.
Lemon water is an excellent source of antioxidants which make it remarkably effectual for a healthy and glowing skin. It keeps dermatological disorders at bay and nourishes the deepest layers of skin. Some of the important skin benefits of lemon water are mentioned below:
Lemon water is antimicrobial in nature and is excellent in the natural cure of dental problems and infections. Consumption of lemon water on a daily basis helps to prevent the mouth from becoming a moist and warm incubator of bacteria.
It can be used as a mouthwash to fight against germs and preserve the health of enamel, roots, and gums and keep the breath fresh and cool.
You can also add a teaspoon of concentrated lemon water to your toothpaste and brush your teeth with it before retiring for the day. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of lemon water alleviate the pain and inflammation of dental diseases.
It is highly effective in keeping dental disorders like pyorrhea, cavities, gum boils, gingivitis and plaque at bay.
A person suffers from headaches due to prolonged hours of work, long exposure to the television or computer, chaotic work schedule, lack of sleep, improper and irregular food habit and other such reasons.
They disrupt the body clock and trigger off painful headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Lemon water happens to be one of the best natural remedies for sinuses, headaches, migraines.
Another chief cause of a headache is persistent stress and worries. It puts pressure on the brain and the person ends up suffering from a throbbing headache.
It is the mild aroma and flavor of lemon that alleviates the pain of sinus and migraine and makes one breathe more peacefully. Lemon water works wonder with its anxiolytic and analgesic nature to cure a headache almost in an instant.
Lemon water is known for its amazing properties of blood purification and detox. It helps in the filtering out of antigens, foreign bodies, and toxins from the blood.
The potent antioxidant properties of lemon water demolish the poisonous free radicals and convert them into harmless components that can be easily flushed out of the body through excretion. Lemon water creates a barrier against oxidative damage inflicted by free radicals and detoxifies the blood with utmost effectiveness.
Regular consumption of lemon water helps in the prevention and quick cure of infections caused by bacteria like Salmonella and more. Lemon water in addition to honey can boost the immune action of limonene and pectin present in lemon and work in unison to do away with fever and infections.
Lemon water can even inhibit the Salmonella typhi bacterium that causes typhoid. The diaphoretic nature of lemon water helps to cure fevers through inducing sweat. The perspiration generates dermcidin which is a body antibiotic that aids in the strengthening of body immunity and fights against the virus, bacteria, and infections.
Lemon water is highly beneficial for the health of the liver and aids in the improvement of hepatic functioning. The antioxidants contained in lemon water protect the liver and has the ability to reverse liver damage.
Its hepatoprotective nature can even aid in the prevention and cure of liver cancer. Drinking lemon water regularly flushes out toxins from the body and ensures the health of the liver(1).
Lemon water is vested with a plethora of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that work together to keep the heart healthy and happy. Lemon water helps in the elimination of bad cholesterol from the body and protects it from atherosclerosis which is a major cardiac problem that occurs due to the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels.
Regular consumption of lemon water ensures healthy blood circulation and aids in the control of blood pressure by preventing any sudden spike or drop in pressure thereby protecting the cardiovascular system.
Lemon water nourishes the scalp and keeps it moisturized. It prevents lice and dandruff, aids in stemming hair loss and strengthens the roots and hair follicles to make the hair grow thick and strong.
You can prepare a hair spa mask by making use of lemon water, egg whites and yogurt to keep your scalp naturally moisturized and well supplied with proteins and vitamins. The lemon ginger tea mask prevents balding and other scalp and hair problems.
Regular consumption of lemon water before retiring for the day is beneficial for inducing drowsiness and deep sleep. Lemon water is mildly sedative in nature but most importantly it aids in calming the nerves which help to regulate the body clock of sleeping.
It cures insomnia, parasomnia, stress, and anxiety and controls the pattern of sleeping and its natural cycle. It also cures dizziness and headaches associated with sleeplessness(2).
PCOS is a hormonal disease that is characterized by irregular menstruation, an absence of periodic blood flow and imbalance of female hormones like estrogen in women due to the formation of toxic cysts in the ovaries.
Consumption of lemon water on an empty stomach every morning helps in shrinking the cysts in ovaries and aids in the natural remedy of PCOS. Lemon water helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and control the menstrual flow.
Also Read: Natural remedies for Irregular Periods
On a normal level, the human blood is slightly alkaline in nature with a pH value ranging in between 7.35 and 7.45. Despite being of an acidic nature, lemon water helps in the promotion of alkalinity and balances the pH of the blood throughout the body.
A balanced pH indicates that the body is detoxified and the blood is pure and uncontaminated. Drink lemon water daily to maintain the alkalinity level at a normal value and keep diseases at bay.
Yeast infection affects the vagina and is caused by the germ Candida albicans. The infection is characterized by itching and burning sensation in the vagina, painful urination and uncomfortable sensation during intercourse.
Lemon water possesses limonene and citral which are crucial for the prevention of growth and spread of fungi and bacteria. Lemon water is known for its remarkable antibacterial and antibiotic properties which help in the natural cure of yeast infection.
It inhibits the action of Candida and cures the infection. You can also rinse your vagina with cool lemon water to soothe the irritation and keep it cleansed.
Lemon water is an effective muscle relaxant and is especially beneficial for the cure of abdominal and muscle cramps that occur prior to menstruation.
It alleviates the spasms and pain in the uterine muscles by incrementing the glycine level in the body. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic action alleviates stomach cramps and aching muscles quite effectively.
Lemon water is an excellent detoxifier and its powerful diuretic properties make it highly essential for a smooth renal functioning. Regular consumption of lemon water has a significant impact on the kidneys and their functioning.
It aids in the prevention of excessive secretion of body poisons like urea, creatinine, uric acid etc. and helps with the process of elimination of kidney stones by making it less painful.
A few side effects of drinking lemon water on a daily basis include increased cholesterol level, oral thrush, and oral infection, acid reflux, stomach troubles, abdominal cramps, high pressure, convulsions, nausea, and vomiting. Some of the primary side effects of consumption of lemon water are as follows.
Lemon water is replete with excellent health benefits but drinking too much of it will cause more harm than help(3). Some of the effects of excessive consumption of lemon water include-
It has been suggested by research that drinking excessive lemon water can corrode the enamel coating of the teeth to a great extent. Don’t make it so intently sour, that it makes your teeth hurt and lose color.
Cankers are characterized by sores and ulcers inside the mouth and on the gums. These sores are painful and when they come in contact with the acidic citric acid of lemon water, they become even more so. If you are suffering from mouth ulcers then avoid drinking lemon water until the ulcer heals completely.
The citrus content of lemon water triggers intense acid reflux which causes sour liquid to rise up through the throat. This heartburn condition is caused by the activation of pepsin by citric acid. Pepsin is the enzyme that catalyzes the disintegration of proteins.
Lemon water is further harmful to a gastric ulcer that is characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the intestines. It can also trigger the symptoms of GERD and disrupt digestive health.
Excessive consumption of vitamin C can cause nausea and heartburn. Over-consumption of lemon juice leads to the overdosage of Vitamin C. The body reacts to this by trying to eliminate the excess citric acid in the form of constant vomiting.
This flushing out of acidic vomit can be painful and severe. Do not drink more than a cup of lemon water if you do not want to feel sick later on.
The frequency of urination increases with excessive consumption of lemon water. The infusion being diuretic in nature increases the outflow of urine resulting in severe dehydration of the body as all the water gets drained out through excretion along with important electrolytes like potassium and sodium that are essential for health. This, in turn, causes the body to suffer from potassium deficiency disorders as well.
Excessive dose of lemon water causes the skin to become vulnerable to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. This results in the eruption of blisters, blemishes, and spots on the skin.