Starting your day with a fresh squeeze of lemon in water is a great way to jump-start your day and health. It is recommended that we begin our day with two eight-ounce glasses of water. Adding ¼ to ½ of a lemon to a glass of water improves overall body functions including digestion, detoxification, immunity levels, hydration, and energy. Lemons are low in calories, have a low glycemic index (i.e., some studies show that lemons may lower the glycemic index of some foods), and are loaded with vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, flavonoids, and antioxidants. Lemons are a source of plant compounds called flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The nutritional benefits of lemons range from reducing kidney stones and inflammation to promoting heart health and preventing cancer. Lemons contain compounds like hesperidin and d-limonene which have both been shown to have cancer-preventing properties.
Here are eight benefits of using lemons daily:
- Prevents kidney stones. Kidney stones are a buildup of minerals that collect in the kidneys. Lemons contain high amounts of citrate which help prevent kidney stones from forming by stopping calcium from binding with other compounds. This citric acid also increases urine volume and urine pH which creates a less favorable environment for stone formation. Many urologists today recommend drinking fresh lemons in water for their patients who tend to get kidney stones.
- Reduces inflammation. Research links chronic inflammation with increased oxidative stress and the risk of many health conditions including heart disease, premature aging, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Lemons contain flavonoids which are plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The vitamin C in lemons helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress which both contribute to inflammation.
- Protects your heart. Research shows that eating fruits rich in vitamin C such as lemons reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke. In another 2012 study, the flavonoids found in citrus fruits like lemons may help lower the risk of ischemic strokes in women. One study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that each serving of fruits including lemons and vegetables was associated with a 4 percent decreased risk of heart disease.
- Lowers blood pressure. In addition to protecting your heart by preventing risk of heart disease and stroke and reducing inflammation, the flavonoids in lemons relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. These two things lower blood pressure.
- Prevents cancer. Lemons contain compounds like hesperidin and d-limonene which have been shown to have cancer prevention properties. These prevent the formation of free radicals, inhibit cell proliferation, and induce apoptosis or cancer cell death. A 2021 meta-analysis of 21 studies suggested that those with the highest Citrus fruit intake (such as lemons) as compared to the lowest intake had a 9% reduction in lung cancer risk. Other studies have shown a reduction in risk for esophageal, liver, bone, stomach, colon, and breast cancers. It’s the antioxidants that may help you from getting cancer in the first place.
- Balances blood sugar. Lemon in water helps prevent blood sugar spikes and can be a great addition to your diabetes diet. Studies suggest that lemon in water or lemon juice can slow down the conversion of starch to sugar which lowers the glycemic impact of meals.
- Supports the immune system. Due to the limonene found in it, lemons have antifungal and antibacterial properties that help fight the common cold, flu, yeast infections, and bacterial infections. The antioxidants in lemons have been shown to protect your immune system by neutralizing harmful free radicals.
- Aids in digestion. The main fiber in lemons is pectin which can improve gut health. The acid in lemons is helpful in supplementing stomach acid levels which tend to decline as we get older.
I begin each day with this detox drink:
AM Detox Drink
1 – 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 – 2 Tablespoons Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar (adjust to your tolerance)
8 ounces of warm filtered water
1 teaspoon local honey or 1 stevia packet
Dash or two of cayenne pepper (adjust to your tolerance)
Optional ingredients:
1 drop Lemon Essential Oil
1 drop Onguard Immunity Blend Essential Oil
1 drop Ginger Essential Oil
Pinch of Celtic Salt
Talk about an immune-boosting drink! I began drinking this concoction following my final chemotherapy treatment to rebuild my immune system. I’ve not been sick since then until five years later with Covid-19, but only a mild case. The lemon essential oil is derived from the rind of the lemon. It takes 30 lemons to make one 15 ml bottle of essential oil. It is cold-pressed and gives you the power of lemons in a drop (without the acidity). I also drink lemon water with stevia during the day. Here is my recipe for tasty lemonade that makes it enticing for me to drink plenty of water each day:
Tasty Lemonade
64 ounces of filtered water
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2 -4 drops of lemon or lime essential oil
¼ teaspoon powdered stevia or 2 droppers of liquid stevia
Although lemon is also good for your oral health, there is one caution to consider. Due to the acidic content in lemon, you must be diligent in brushing your teeth. If you use my morning detox drink, be sure to brush your teeth before running out the door. Also, when you drink lemon water during the day, rinse your mouth out with plain water. If you drink lemon water before going to bed, thoroughly brush your teeth. It’s also best to use a paper or metal straw to minimize the acidity on your teeth. Also, those with canker sores or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be cautious with drinking lemon water as the acidity can exacerbate these conditions.
If using the rind of the lemon in a smoothie, I recommend using an organic lemon when possible or even growing your own if you live in the right climate since the pesticides tend to concentrate in the rind. Lemons keep best in the refrigerator.
There’s an old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Let’s change that to, “When life’s lemons attack your body, drink lemon water.” Lemon is not only a great way to jump-start your day and health, but it’s also a great way to prevent kidney stones, lower inflammation, protect your heart, lower blood pressure, prevent cancer, balance blood sugar, boost your immune system, and improve digestion.
Do you like the taste of lemons? How do you use them?
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Eight Benefits of Using Lemons Daily
Here’s to Your Health!
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, a finalist in Serious Writers Book of the Decade, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com. Ginny is on YouTube
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**** This content is strictly the opinion of Ginny Brant and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Ginny Brant nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. ****
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