Demi Moore, Beyoncé and Elsa Pataky have something in common; they all start their day with a glass of warm lemon water on an empty stomach. An increasingly popular habit that can provide us with a host of health benefits.
But what properties does lemon water really have for our organism? Is it really effective as part of a weight loss diet? We tell you all about it in this post!
Properties of lemon water: what is it good for?
Lemon water is an incredibly light drink, but it is able to provide us with a lot of interesting nutrients for our organism.
On average, a glass of water with a squeezed lemon (about 50 grams) will contain the following nutrients for your body:
- 10-20 calories
- 7 g carbohydrates
- 18.6 mg Vitamin C
- 9.6 mg folate
- 49.4 mg potassium
- 0,01 mg vitamin B1
- 0,01 mg vitamin B2
- 0,06 mg vitamin B5
Benefits of lemon water
These are the main benefits of drinking lemon water:
- Alkalising' effect: with a pH of 2.6, lemon is one of the most acidic foods available, which means that its alkaline effect helps the excretion of acids in the urine.
- Helps the immune system: as a good source of Vitamin C, lemon helps us to strengthen our body's immune system in order to fight colds and infections more efficiently.
- Improves blood circulation: the cleansing effect of lemon water also has a detoxifying effect on our blood.
- Prevention of kidney stones: thanks to its high citrate content, consumption of this drink considerably reduces kidney-related health problems.
- Improves digestion: in addition to helping stomach contractions and facilitating evacuation, it also helps us to balance our acids and therefore to have better digestion.
- Skin protection: the Vitamin C in lemon protects the skin from free radicals, which helps us to have a more beautiful and healthy skin.
- Anti-inflammatory properties.
- Improved iron absorption: thanks to its high Vitamin C content.
Contraindications
However, before you start taking this miracle drink, you should be aware that its consumption is contraindicated in certain cases:
- In case of gastric ulcer or reflux: its high acid content can have a detrimental effect on such conditions.
- In cases of migraines or headaches: some strong-flavoured foods, such as cheese or citrus fruits, can trigger migraines. Avoid them if you are prone to this type of ailment.
- Children and pregnant women: children and pregnant women should be cautious about drinking lemon water. The same applies to the elderly.
- Worn enamel and other oral problems: the acidity of lemon can be harmful in cases of tooth sensitivity, as well as being a precursor to enamel wear.
- As always, we recommend that if you are going to drink lemon water on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor first.
Is lemon water good for weight loss?
Despite the simplicity of this almost miraculous drink, there are many myths surrounding its consumption: is lemon water good for weight loss? Is it effective in burning fat? But the answer is not as simple as it seems.
If you think that by drinking lemon water you can gorge yourself on sweets and fast food, because thanks to its supposed 'fat-burning' benefits, not only will you not put on weight, but you will also lose weight, you are very wrong!
In fact, lemon water is often recommended in weight loss diets, but for very different reasons.
Lemon, due to its high acid and Vitamin C content, has a satiating effect that will help us to control our appetite more effectively throughout the day. Especially if you tend to crave sweet foods. We recommend you take a look at this post with the different types of diets you can do.
On the other hand, its diuretic properties help to eliminate liquids and therefore make us feel less bloated and lighter.
Water with lemon in the evening
Although it is always most popular to drink lemon water in the morning (specifically on an empty stomach), drinking this juice can also be very beneficial in the evening.
In addition to all the above-mentioned benefits, drinking warm or even hot lemon water before going to sleep will help us to fall asleep better.
On the other hand, if you suffer from constipation, drinking lemon juice can help improve your digestive tract during the night.
How to prepare lemon water
The preparation of lemon water has no secret and consists of two main ingredients: water and lemon.
It is imperative to use natural lemons, and never, under any circumstances, substitute their juice with prepared juices.
To obtain the juice we can use a traditional orange juicer or squeeze them by hand. It is also recommended that the water be slightly warm to improve digestion and the sensation after consumption.
Water with lemon and ginger
If you want to multiply the immune-boosting properties of lemon water, we recommend adding some ginger, one of the healthiest superfoods around, to the mix.
We recommend infusing the ginger separately and then adding it to our mixture according to your taste. Remember that ginger can have a very strong flavour and is slightly spicy, so don't overdo it!
It is important to note that this root is contraindicated in cases of pregnancy, anticoagulant treatments, hypertension and some heart conditions.
Water with lemon and cucumber
Cucumber, besides being a very potent source of antioxidants, is also an excellent addition to any cold drink.
Cucumber is also very beneficial for the health of our skin, muscle recovery, bone health and blood pressure control. Add it to your lemon water and enjoy its cooling sensation on the hottest days!