If you're used to drinking lemon water on waking or all day long, you've made the right choice. Regular hydration is very important and lemon is the perfect citrus to enhance the taste of your refreshing drink. Allied with water, it allows you to obtain a concentrate of health benefits. Here are 5 of them that you may not know.
Lemon water is becoming more and more popular and this is mainly based on the results it has shown on the health and well-being of its followers. Discover a list of its most beneficial benefits:
1. Nutritional power
Lemon is a fruit that is full of many nutrients. It contains good amounts of vitamin C, B vitamins, fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium and potassium. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals that can damage healthy cells and lead to oxidative stress.
2. Digestion
Hydration plays a very important role in the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients through the digestive tract. According to the European Hydration Institute, water is needed for the dissolution of nutrients to facilitate their absorption by blood and their distribution to the cells. Inadequate hydration causes a slowing of the digestive process and chronic dehydration usually leads to constipation.
3. Skin
The antioxidants found in lemon juice through vitamin C help fight the signs of skin aging. Vitamin C helps the body produce more collagen, a protein that gives elasticity to the skin. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a sufficient intake of vitamin C makes it possible to have a younger-looking skin and to fight against wrinkles.
4. Weight loss
If you want to lose weight, lemon water is an important ally. Vitamin C has an impact on metabolism and body fat. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, researchers have noted that vitamin C has the ability to fight obesity and its complications. They also revealed that it could prevent the conversion of glucose into body fat and would modulate the breakdown of fat.
5. Lower cholesterol
The plant compounds present in lemon juice, especially hesperidin, would reduce the risk factors for cholesterol-related heart disease. According to an in vivo study published in International Journal of Clinical Chemistry, hesperidin would fight against hypercholesterolemia.
Better yet, if you add lemon zest to your lemon water, you'll be able to enjoy the fiber it contains, including pectin. The latter also has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels. According to a study published in Nutrition Research, the results showed that regular consumption of citrus fiber would reduce the level of total cholesterol in the blood.
The advantage of lemon water is that it is inexpensive and can be easily prepared. However, be sure to wash the lemons before squeezing them or using their zest in your lemon water.
Caution :
Lemon is not recommended for people with ulcers and heartburn.
