Top 10 health benefits of lemon water

Lemons are the fruit of a species of small citrus tree native to South East Asia, famed for their intense flavour and health benefits the use of lemons has spread around the world where they are now consumed in huge quantities across every continent. But lemon's don’t just go well your favourite alcoholic beverage.

Lemon water is a highly alkalizing drink that can kick start your metabolism and offers our bodies a wide range of benefits:

• Lemons help to cleanse the liver – Had a heavy weekend and thinking a detox is in order? Well, According to a study published in 2014 in "Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology," a compound found in lemons called naringenin calms liver inflammation, not only this but you can gain up to 55% of your daily intake of vitamin c from just one lemon.

• Great source of potassium – lemons come loaded full of potassium, making them great for people suffering from cardiovascular conditions, potassium is also used by our brain and nervous system, making it essential to keep our bodies with a good supply of potassium rich foods and drinks.

• Reduces mucus – The acidic properties of lemon juice help to break up mucus in the throat, you can even add lemon juice to a blow of warm steaming water to add to its decongestant effect.

• Aid with arthritis – A lot of people are falsely under the impression lemon juice is acidic once consumed, but in fact lemon juice is highly alkalizing for our bodies and can help to destroy build up of uric acid that form in our joints.

• Speed recovery times – Lemons are packed full of antioxidants that help to clean our blood of free radicals ‘molecules that come as a result of environmental toxins and activities including alcohol consumption and smoking.’

• Immune system booster – Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system, however our bodies lack the ability to store vitamin C meaning a steady supply through our diet is required.

• Freshens your skin – Drinking lemon juice has been shown to reduce bags under the eyes and help hydrate our skin, not only this, but lemon juice can be used directly on the skin as a great natural toner.

• Ease suffering from UTI’s – Lemon juice has diuretic properties, meaning it helps the bladder to expel more urine helping to remove bacteria from the bladder.

• Relieve constipation – Lemon juice helps to trigger digestive enzymes within our bodies, by mixing this with water, it is possible to loosen the stool and regain regular movement.

• Hydration – The most essential thing for human health, lemons make water taste great and water makes us healthy, combing these two things will improve your life in a matter of days and won't pull on your purse strings.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients: 

Lemon (Citrus Limon), fresh, without peel
Nutritional Value per 100 g

	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	29 Kcal	1.5%
Carbohydrates	9.32 g	7%
Protein	1.10 g	2%
Total Fat	0.30 g	1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	2.80 g	7%
Vitamins
Folates	11 µg	3%
Niacin	0.100 mg	1%
Pantothenic acid	0.190 mg	4%
Pyridoxine	0.080 mg	6%
Riboflavin	0.020 mg	1.5%
Thiamin	0.040 mg	3.5%
Vitamin C	53 mg	88%
Vitamin A	22 IU	1%
Vitamin E	0.15 mg	1%
Vitamin K	0 µg	0%
Electrolytes
Sodium	2 mg	0%
Potassium	138 mg	3%
Minerals
Calcium	26 mg	3%
Copper	37 µg	4%
Iron	0.60 mg	7.5%
Magnesium	8 mg	2%
Manganese	0.030 mg	1%
Zinc	0.06 mg	0.5%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-߸	3 µg	–
Carotene-a	1 µg	–
Crypto-xanthin-ß	20 µg	–
Lutein-zeaxanthin	11 µg	–

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