Why Drink Lemon water

Lemons are packed with a variety of nutrients - they are great sources of Vitamin C, citric acid and small amounts of Some of the B vitamins - riboflavin (B2) , Niacin (B3) Pyridoxine (B6) Folate and vitamin E.

Lemons are also great sources of essential minerals - such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium potassium and zinc.

Now don’t go and rush out and juice your lemons, most of these wonderful nutrients are in the skin and the pith - I will share the best way of using lemons so you get the full benefits a little later

Lemon water can help in a variety of different ways

It can treat and prevent kidney stones. Normally, kidney stones pass out of the body without much discomfort, but sometimes they can block the urine flow and cause intense pain. Drinking lemon water helps in rehydrating the body and keeping the urine diluted. This, in turn, reduces any risk of kidney stone formation.
Plus it is said that citrate in lemons, helps to bind oxalates so that the stones can be broken down and taken out of your body with ease. - kidney stones are notorious for being excruciatingly painful to eliminate due to the jagged edges of the oxalates.
Fatty liver

In a Japanese study, it has been found that the ingredients in lemons can help with Fatty liver - either reverse it or prevent it in the first place. The symptoms of fatty liver and many and diverse they include.
Inability to sleep
Itchy skin
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
Memory problems
Fatigue
Unstable weight
Men developing breasts
Edema of legs and ankles
Bruising easily
Bright red palms of your hands
Dark coloured urine
Dry eyes and/or Mouth
Inability to concentrate - Think ADD and ADHD
No appetite
Swollen abdomen

Improves digestion

The chemicals in Lemon water appear to improve digestion. It does this by promoting the production of Hydrochloric acid as well as bile production.
The dear lemon can help reduce acidity and the risk of gout - this is because it can remove the oxalates that are associated with gout! Just like kidney stones!
If you struggle with heartburn or abdominal cramps. Bloating and even burning sensations in the stomach then could be the answer to your prayers.
Also using the whole lemon can stop and prevent constipation.

Boost immunity

Due to the content of not only vitamin C it contains bioflavonoids that help us to uptake vitamin C easier. This as well as the zinc that lemons contain can really help to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.

Rheumatism and Arthritis

Lemon Water is also known to help with Rheumatism and Arthritis. Probably many aches and pains in our body are due to Oxalate accumulation - We will cover Oxalates in another blog.

Relieves swollen and bleeding gums

Relieves swollen and bleeding gums - this is due to the vitamin C and the Bioflavonoid content.

Cancer-fighting potential

Cancer-fighting potential - it is said to have anti-cancer components according to the Asian Pacific Journal of cancer prevention lemons have anti-tumour properties. Linked to helping with Breast cancer. Not much more research has been done as yet but definitely worth a try if you want to prevent or treat it.

Lower Stress and Blood Pressure

Lemon Water can help lower stress and therefore can help to lower blood pressure - if yours is elevated (if you are taking medication for this then keep an eye on the symptoms of low blood pressure - like dizzyness and lightheaded, especially when rising. If this happens you might need to reduce your dosage of meds!

Detoxification Support

Lemon water can help cleanse your entire system by reducing toxins in the blood - a great way to easily detoxify and enjoy the effects - which can reduce many symptoms.

Support weight loss and diabetes prevention

Helps you to lose weight - this is a very good reason to drink lemon water on a regular basis as it can help your body reduce insulin resistance and help your body to come to a balanced weight.

The reason for this is that some of the polyphenols in the lemon skin and pith can play a huge role in minimising insulin resistance.
An increase in insulin resistance leads to less responsiveness from the insulin hormone which results in uncontrollable levels of blood sugars.
The polyphenols in Lemon skin/rind have the ability to suppress the accumulation of fat in the abdomen area. Plus the presence of naringin and hesperidin, bioflavonoids, function as dietary antioxidants, which have been shown in mice studies to prevent the progression of hyperglycemia.

Need to know more?

While lemon zest may contain key ingredients in helping one manage their blood glucose levels, the magic lies in the peel. A deeper evaluation of the skin contents shows that key ingredients, flavanones, are found in all citrus peels. Since the peel is separated into different layers, similar to the human skin, the amount of flavones in each layer also varies. The white part of the skin, the pith, has been shown to contain a larger amount of flavones compared to other layers of the peel.

In addition to controlling blood glucose, the antioxidant properties of the flavones have been linked to the management of radical damage and inflammation, both of which are prevalent in type 2 diabetes.

Glycation, the process of binding a sugar molecule, produces end products known as glycation end products (AGEs). Accumulations of AGEs result in browning, or increased amounts of inflammation and free radical damage throughout the body. Furthermore, increased amounts of AGEs can cause blood vessels to lose flexibility, which will lead to other adverse effects.

Lemon peels also contain vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin, beta carotene, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Vitamin C in conjunction with calcium helps with bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory polyarthritis, and other bone conditions. Vitamin C also serves a pivotal role in minimizing free radical damage. Antioxidant properties have been found in vitamin C; hence, the deficiencies of this vitamin in patients with diabetes result in higher inflammation. Along with the flavanones, vitamin C also helps minimize insulin resistance.

Fibre is another ingredient found in lemon peels. Studies have shown that higher fibre can, lower blood pressure. Soluble fibre is the main one that is found in lemon peels. Different from insoluble fibre, soluble fibre dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance, this is pectin

.
The magical substance that inhibits the breakdown of carbohydrates and the absorption of fat. Therefore, soluble fibre assists in managing diabetes by limiting the amount of carbohydrate that is broken down from food, resulting in a smaller amount of sugar in the blood. Compounds such as salvestrol Q40 and limonene found in lemon peels contain anti-carcinogenic properties.

Please note
If you are intermittent Fasting please have this in your eating window !!

How to take Lemon Water

Recipe Lemon Water

You will need 1 organic Lemon (or unsprayed at least)
700ml of filtred water
Stevia to taste
Blender

Chop up lemons roughly

Blend till smooth - add Stevia to taste (personally I don’t add stevia as I love the taste)
Then drink - drink daily on an empty stomach - to get all the above benefits.