People have been drinking lemon water for centuries.   People have called bad purchases “lemons” like that is the worst thing you can buy (the bad lemon car).   There are comments such as “if life gives you a lemon, make lemon-aid as if a bad life can be described as a lemon.   Conversely, the fact is, from a health perspective, that lemons are one of the best foods you can eat.   They are one of the most health enriching foods that can be found.   

Americans want to lose weight, have beautiful skin, be smart and have plenty of energy.   Did you know that Lemons help with all of these desires?    Lemon juice can help us reduce our weight.  Lemon juice raises our metabolic rate, which in turn, helps us lose weight.   Besides weight loss benefits, there are many more benefits for drinking lemon water.   How about preventing cognitive brain disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.   How about the benefit of preventing the appearance of wrinkles and lines on one’s face as they grow older?   There are so many benefits for drinking lemon juice.

Please consider some of the following not so obvious benefits of lemons:

• Lemons have been shown to fight cancers.
• Lemons are heart medicine and studies prove they reduce cholesterol.
• Lemon water reduces depression and anxiety while increasing the ability to focus. 
• Lemons have an anti-inflammatory property that aids in fighting respiratory infections, sore throats, the common cold, and inflamed tonsils.
• Lemons reduce skin problems such as acne, dark spots, rashes, lines or wrinkles.

·       Lemons are a rich source of Vitamin C, which bolsters your immune system.

• Lemon juice will help maintain your body’s pH balance.
• Lemons help with digestion.
• Lemons are a great source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and other essential vitamins and nutrients.
• Lemon juice helps with dental hygiene, preventing gingivitis, halitosis, and toothaches.
• lemon juice reduces joint and muscle pain caused by free radicals.
• Lemon juice keeps your body hydrated and provides electrolytes.
• Lemon juice cleanses toxins from our liver and blood.
• Lemons have nutrient powers to brighten your skin and reduce wrinkles.

Lemons are not just a food additive that can bring out the taste of fish, lobster, chicken, and pork.  Lemons are packed with vital nutrients that can do a world of good for your overall health. They contain antiseptic qualities for treating and preventing various health conditions, from scurvy in the 16th and 17th centuries to halitosis in the present times.  Consider some of the following features of lemons for your health.  

1. Lemons support heart health

Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C. In fact, a single serving of lemon juice offers about 31 mg of this essential vitamin, which is half of the daily recommended amount.  Research has shown that adding foods to your diet that are rich in vitamin C can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The high amount of vitamin C that lemons contain isn’t the only reason why they are good for your heart; they are packed with fiber and contain plant compounds (specifically diosmin and hesperidin) that have been shown to drastically reduce the risk factors for developing heart disease.  They reduce high levels of LDL cholesterol.  If you eat 24 grams of citrus fiber extract for one month, your blood cholesterol levels will be reduced.

2. Lemons can reduce the risk of stroke

The American Heart Association produced a study that shows that men and particularly women, who eat higher amounts of flavonoid compounds found in lemons, have a lower risk of having a stroke.   In this study, women who consumed larger amounts of the compounds found in lemons were found to have a 19 percent lower risk of a stroke than women who had fewer flavonoids in their diets.   Flavonoids are believed to lower the risk of stroke for a number of reasons, including the improved function of the blood vessels, circulation, and an anti-inflammatory effect. All of these elements are important for reducing the risk of stroke.  So if you want to safeguard yourself from such life-changing catastrophes, consider “lemons.”

3. Lemon Juice can help prevent cancer

Research studies have revealed that lemons can prevent certain types of cancer. That is because lemons are loaded with compounds and antioxidants that fight off the cells that cause certain types of cancer. One study found that lemon juice was able to eradicate breast cancer cells.

Another study found that lemon juice prevents the growth of cells that are related to many types of cancer. This citrus fruit is rich in hesperidin and d-limonene, two compounds that have been found to contain properties that prevent cancer. It is because of the powerful compounds found in lemons that they are recommended food for cancer prevention.

4. Ingredients in Lemons strengthen the immune system

As mentioned, lemons are a very rich source of vitamin C, and vitamin C has been found to strengthen the immune system. Furthermore, lemons are very rich in antioxidants, and they can stave off inflammation.

Research studies have found that the antioxidants found in lemons can neutralize the damage caused by free radicals, which means they can help to protect the cells of the immune system. Additionally, they can shield the body from various infections and illnesses that are caused by viruses and bacteria. Researchers suggest that consuming one lemon per day can drastically improve the function of the immune system.  Therefore, if you want to avoid a cold, the flu, or many other types of ailments, consider drinking more lemon juice.

5. Lemon water can prevent kidney stones

Kidney stones are tiny deposits of waste that crystallize and collect in the kidneys, which are extremely painful. Those who suffer from kidney stones once, are more likely to have them again. It has been determined that drinking lemon water can prevent the development of kidney stones.  That’s because they are high in citric acid, which increases the volume of urine produced. It also increases the pH levels in the urine. By doing so, the environment in your kidneys is less hospitable for the production of kidney stones and in this way kidney stones are prevented from forming. All that is needed is the drinking of  ½  a cup of lemon juice each day.

6.Lemon Juice can Help prevent Diabetes

Every day, your body requires about 20 to 38 grams of fiber. Most of us get very little fiber daily in our lives. This can cause digestion issues, which are not comfortable or healthy. Bad digestion can cause hemorrhoids and constipation; neither are fun. When you add more fiber in your diet, you are less likely to develop heart disease and diabetes. A medium-sized lemon has about 2.5 grams of fiber in it. 

7. Lemon water aids in weight management

If you are trying to lose or maintain your weight, you might want to consider adding more lemons to your diet. Lemons are among the best foods for weight loss.  Research claims that the plant compounds in lemons aid in weight loss, and the research shows that these compounds can minimize weight gain.  Lemon water actually increases your metabolism as well to help you burn more fat.

8. Lemons can enhance your energy levels

When you find yourself tired out, instead of reaching for a glass of water, try drinking a glass of lemon water.  Studies have found that drinking lemon water increases energy levels.   Why? – Because the body gets its energy from the molecules and atoms that are present in food. Since lemons contain ions that are negatively charged, they naturally boost your energy levels.

In addition to making you feel more energetic, lemons can improve your overall mood. Studies have shown that just smelling a lemon can reduce stress levels, thereby improving a person’s mood. So, when you need a pick-me-up, instead of coffee, try drinking lemon water. If you are stressed out, you can drink lemon water, eat a lemon, or simply smell one, and you will notice a difference in your mood.

9. Lemon Juice enhances the absorption of iron

Iron is a vital mineral. It is one of the primary elements found in hemoglobin, a compound found in the red blood cells that transport oxygenated blood throughout the body. The high amounts of vitamin C found in Lemons helps to promote the absorption of iron, thereby preventing the development of iron-deficiency anemia. Research has revealed that an intake of 100 mg of vitamin C prior to eating, can increase the absorption of iron by nearly 70 percent. Since lemons are so rich in vitamin C and they also contain iron, it is a fact that drinking lemon juice will increase your body’s absorption of iron. 

10. Lemons can improve digestion

The juices in lemons are similar to the digestive juices found in the stomach.  For that reason alone, lemons are an effective way to improve digestion. The chemical makeup of lemons actually causes the liver to produce more bile.   Bile helps to improve the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, thereby improving digestion.

Studies on animals have demonstrated that lemons protect the function of the liver by reducing oxidation damage, thereby aiding indigestion. Additionally, lemons promote regularity because they help to relieve constipation.  Eating lemons helps the digestive process of food so that more vitamins are obtained by the body from less food.   Thus, drinking more lemon water does result in weight loss and helps the body to be more effective in absorbing the nutrients from the foods you eat.

11. Lemons can prevent wrinkles

If you are looking for a natural way to retain your youthful appearance, drink more lemon juice.   Lemons contain a high amount of antioxidants, which are powerful in fighting off cellular damage caused by free radicals. Skin cells can be negatively affected by free-radical damage, which can cause premature aging, reduced skin elasticity and ultimately results in fine lines,  wrinkles, dryness and age spots.

Scientific studies have revealed that the antioxidants found in lemons are very effective in slowing down the aging process and for improving the overall health and appearance of the skin.

12. They freshen your breath

If you suffer from chronic bad breath (a condition known as halitosis), you may want to look to lemons as a remedy. In fact, lemons have been found to be  an effective way to treat bad breath. Why? – Because they contain antimicrobial, phytochemical, and antioxidant compounds that can kill off the fungus and bacteria that cause bad breath.

13. Lemons can lower cholesterol levels

Lemons are good for your heart.  The reason? – Lemons, as mentioned, contain pectin fiber, a type of soluble fiber that plays a key role in the health of your colon. During the process of digestion, pectin fiber attaches to unhealthy cholesterols and carbohydrates located in the gastrointestinal tract and thus decreases the absorption of glucose.  There is proof of this.  Studies have found that consuming pectin fiber can effectively lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream by reducing the absorption of bad cholesterol, both from bile and from food. Since many of the carbohydrates that people consume contain high amounts of bad cholesterol, eating lemons can be an effective way to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream.

14. Lemons can alleviate acne

Aside from making your skin beautiful, reducing wrinkles, lines, brown spots, lemons can prevent acne and blemishes.  Why? – Because lemons contain antimicrobial properties. It is those properties that can help to combat the impact of dirt, bacteria, and other debris that accumulates on the surface of the skin.   Furthermore, the acidic properties of lemons reduce the production of body oils that contribute to acne.

15. Lemon ingredients will boost the function of the liver

Your liver is the largest internal organ, and it plays a vital role in your well-being. It serves as the filtration system for your blood and is responsible for cleansing toxins and other impurities from your blood.  The food we eat and the medicines we take are cleansed by the means of the liver.   While the liver has the ability to regenerate itself, if it is overwhelmed with toxins and impurities, its ability to function can be severely reduced.  Consuming lemon juice is very beneficial in restoring the functionality of your liver.

Once again, this is because of the powerful antioxidants that lemons contain. These antioxidants fight off free radical damage and they flush out toxins that accumulate in the liver. Therefore, if you want to improve the function of your liver, you should certainly consider eating more lemons.

16. Lemon Juice promotes a healthy pregnancy

For pregnant women, lemons can be extremely beneficial; both for the mother and for the baby.   As has already been stated, lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, a nutrient, that pregnant women are often deficient in. That’s because their babies are absorbing large amounts of the vitamins C that is available, leaving little for the mothers. More lemon juice would equate to more vitamin C for both mother and baby.

Lemons ease constipation, which is a common side effect of pregnancy.  Off course we have already mentioned that lemons help with digestion and thus decrease constipation and irregularity. Lemons are an excellent source of folate, a nutrient that is important to pregnancy, as it reduces the development of neural tube defects in the fetus. By consuming more lemons, pregnant women would not need as many man-made supplements to maintain theirs’s and the baby’s health.

17. Ingredients in Lemons improve mental health

Another profound benefit of lemons is that they can slow down mental degeneration while growing old.  That is because brain degeneration is caused by the high amount of free radical and Lemons provide high amounts of antioxidants that can combat them.   If you want to avoid dementia and Alzheimer’s, you need to drink more lemon water.   There is no cure for these conditions, but drinking lemon water can help to prevent them from ever happening.  As mentioned, antioxidants help to combat the cellular damage that is caused by free radicals, thereby preventing cognitive decline. Furthermore, the high levels of vitamin C found in lemons also contribute to their effectiveness for combating the mental decline. If cognitive health conditions run in your family, increasing your intake of lemons may be an effective way to maintain a healthy brain and prevent serious cognitive conditions.

18. Lemons can reduce anxiety

In addition to preventing cognitive decline, lemons may be able to improve your mental health in another way; they may reduce the effects of anxiety. Studies have found that the scent of lemons produces a calming effect that relieves anxiety and its symptoms such as nervousness, irritability, tension, stress, and mental and physical exhaustion.  

19. Lemon juice is an all-natural cleaning agent

Lemons do more than offer profound benefits for your health; they are also an excellent natural cleaning agent. That’s because lemons contain antibacterial properties which can effectively kill germs, bacteria, and even mold. Lemons can eliminate unpleasant odors.

Furthermore, the citric acid that lemons contain has the ability to cut through all types of dirt, grime, rust, limescale, and various types of stains. You can use lemons to clean virtually every surface in your house, from your microwave to your cutting boards, and from your countertops to your floors. To use this fruit as a cleaning agent, take a slice of fresh lemon and squeeze the juice into a mixture of water and vinegar. Spray the solution on various surfaces and simply wipe it away. You will be left with a clean surface and a pleasant aroma, too!

How to benefit from Lemon water

Simply take a glass of warm water with a tablespoon of lemon juice, vinegar, and lime juice each morning on an empty stomach.   If you do this daily you will notice better-looking skin, weight loss, more energy, better brain cognition with the ability to focus better and you will be preventing heart and cancer disease.  Even if you took Lemon water only once a week, it would be a benefit to you.