There is nothing complex about a glass of lemon water. It is full of antioxidants, Vitamin C, folate, minerals, phytonutrients and citrusy goodness. They are available throughout the year and are used as a flavoring ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes. Make them into lemon pies, tarts, add them to curries, pickle them, a healthy and like they say it, “If life gives you lemons, make a lemonade.” A glass of warm lemon water “the first thing in the morning” is faddish and can-do wonders for our system. The simple magical potion taken on an empty stomach has proven to help immensely with weight loss, hydration, glowing skin and detoxification. More ingredients can be added to the mixture to amp up the magical benefits of lemons, such as ginger, cinnamon, cucumbers or mint. Many health-conscious people also prepare a bottle of lemon water and sip it throughout the day. This keeps the digestion in check and detoxifies the body of toxins.
Nutritional Value of Lemon Water
Serving size: 1 medium (58 g)
Calories: 20
Amounts as per raw, unpeeled lemons – 100 grams
| Nutrition | Amount |
| Total Fat | 0.3 g |
| Cholestrol | 0.0 g |
| Protein | 1.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9.3 g |
| Sugar | 2.5 g |
| Fiber | 2.8 g |
| Water | 89% |
Benefits of Lemon Water for Skin
One of the secret “not-so-secret” reason behind a healthy and glowing skin is regular consumption of lemon water. Below are some benefits of a warm glass of lemon water for skin:
1. Fights Acne
Lemon water contains antioxidants, folate and Vitamin C which fight the acne-causing toxins and bacteria in our bodies. It detoxifies the body and provides hydration to the skin making it appear more radiant and even. It helps in quick digestion of acne-causing oil food substances present is the body. The critic acid helps in reduction of blemishes, brown spots, pigmentation and acne marks. The end result is clearer and smooth skin.
2. Produces Collagen
Collagen is an abundant protein that is present in skin, muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments and blood. As the body ages, the collagen production in the body decreases. Hence, it is important for us to squeeze in more collagen into our bodies. The protein is considered a building block for the skin. It provides elasticity to the skin, smoothens out fine lines, prevents wrinkles and delays aging of the skin.
3. Hydrates Skin
The antioxidants and minerals present in the water provide hydration to the body and skin. The infused lemon also adds flavor and depth to the boring taste of the water along with freshness. Both men and women are advised to consume 8 glasses of water per day to keep their bodies hydrated. This helps the skin to retain moisture and keep the dryness at bay which can result in dull and aging skin.
4. Promotes Radiant Skin
Lemon water balances the natural level of pH in our bodies and removes the toxins associated with causing to the skin. It acts as an alkaline inside the body by promoting a balance of pH which contributes to glowing and healthy skin. It also tones the skin, reduces scars, blackheads, removes tan, tightens skin pores and smooths out an uneven skin.
5. Maintains Healthy Nails and Cuticles
Drinking lemon water regulatory helps in healthy nail beds and strong cuticles. It hydrates the nails and gives them a vibrant and shiny look. It reduces the yellowness and restores the moisture to the skin around the nails. It also helps with peeling of skin on the fingers, dryness and loss of texture.
Benefits of Lemon Water for Hair
Lemon is an abundantly used ingredient in almost all kitchens in India. But besides adding it to the curries and biryanis, lemon is also used to maintain healthy smooth hair free of dandruff, oily scalp and greying hair. Below are some benefits of lemon water for hair:
1. Helps in Hair Growth
Lemon water promotes the growth of hair follicles and strengths the roots. This helps in reducing hair fall and thickening of hair making them look voluminous and shiny. Lemons water can also be rubbed on the scalp to increase blood circulation which increases hair growth and longevity.
2. Brings Shine to Hair
Lemon has been for years used on hair to make them shiny and smooth by adding it to henna mixture or by spritzing them on the hair lock. They add beautiful shine and luminosity to the hair which is noticeable from a distance. Lemon has a compound named Limonene which is responsible for making dull hair look vibrant and beautiful.
3. Removes Dandruff
Lemon water has acidity which eliminates the production of oil on the scalp. It cleanses the dirty scalp and removes stubborn dandruff gradually. Lemon water can be sprayed or rubbed on the scalp to get rid of dandruff. It should be left on for 15-20 minutes to gain complete benefit from its acidic content. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities which help in fighting scalp infections.
4. Reduces Oiliness on The Scalp
Lemon is a natural acid which fights against accumulated oil on the scalp. That is why most popular shampoo brands use lemon in their products to market themselves. Excess production of oil on scalp can make hair look oily and dirty. This, in turn, leads to accumulation of stubborn dandruff and scalp infections. Lemon water can be used to scrub the excess oil off the scalp by massaging it on or it can be used as a hair mask with added ingredients such as a teaspoon of honey and yogurt.
5. Treats Split Ends
Split ends are a common problem associated with hair. In order to prevent split ends, lemon water should me massaged into the hair lock with a mixture of any carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. The treatment will restore the moisture back to the hair and prevent further damage of hair. Make sure that the split ends are trimmed before treating the hair to the lemon and oil mixture.
Health Benefits of Lemon Water
Lemon water has the essential nutrients that help the body to detoxify and rejuvenate. There are several health benefits associated with lemon water which has created a rage among the health-conscious community. They start their mornings with lemon water instead of caffeine. It immediately relaxes the mind and body, boosts the energy and makes you feel ready for the day. The following are some known and most talked about the health benefits of lemon water:
1. Checks Dental Health
Lemon water has calcium which improves dental health and strengthens the gums. It brightens the teeth and rids the mouth of toxins that can chemically alter the composition of the teeth. Gargling with lemon water on a regular basis helps with preventing toothache, prevents the formation of cavities, gum diseases and gingivitis.
2. Helps with Weight Loss
Lemon water gives the body the metabolism to have long workouts, perform well at athletic sports and go through intensive weight loss trainings. It boosts the feeling of fullness and curbs the appetite. It naturally keeps the hunger pangs away and flushes the body of toxic waste. It helps with the smooth functioning of the digestive system and motivates a healthy bowel movement which keeps constipation at bay. It is also called a natural laxative for its digestion improving properties.
3. Boosts the Immune System
Lemon water is a rich source of Vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals and folate which protects the body from diseases and fights off bacteria that can disrupt the immune system. It strengths the elements of white blood cells which are responsible for fighting against harmful bacteria and viruses. It effectively helps in preventing immune deficiencies, infections and risk of exposure to deadly viruses. Lemon water should be consumed during pregnancy to boost the immune system fight against disease-causing bacteria. However, it should be consumed in moderate levels as high intake can cause issues with rapid digestion and loss of minerals.
4. Prevent Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are solid substances made up of calcium oxalate which can only be treated with a rm citrate. By increasing the intake of lemon water, the citrate present in the urine prevents the formation of calcium oxalate, i.e., kidney stones. In alternative medicine, lemon water is a highly recommended treatment for kidney stones because of the large amounts of citrate content present in it.
5. Fights Common Infections
Lemon water is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory which helps in preventing the onset of common infections like cold, sore throat, respiratory tract infections, tonsils and fever. It is a rich source of Vitamin C, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium which flush out the toxins, clean the liver and the digestive tract. This helps in reducing the chances of infection affecting the body.
6. Keeps Bad Breath Away
Drinking lemon water after eating prevents the odour of foul-smelling foods such as garlic, onion and eggs to escape from the mouth. The antibacterial properties of lemon fight the smell and keep the mouth fresh. It also promotes the production of saliva as a dry mouth is usually a common cause of bad breath. It can also be used as a natural deodorant.
7. Builds Mental Health
The lack of Vitamin C in the body increases the chances of fatigue, bone damage, weight gain and stress which can weaken the immune system. It is important that there is a proper intake of Vitamin C to keep the muscles relaxed and energetic. A healthy body has high metabolism and feels less stressed under difficult conditions. Lemon water also makes the body feel fresh instantly and lightens the mood. It is an important ingredient in aromatherapy.
8. Controls Blood Pressure
The studies have shown that lemon water lowers blood pressure in high blood pressure patients. It improves cardiovascular health and maintains cholesterol levels in the body. It reduces the risks associated with the heart, helps in circulating a proper flow of blood to the brain and other organs.
9. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
It is believed that the limonene and naringenin present in lemon water helps in fighting cancer cells. It also has beta compounds which discouraged the formation of tumors in lungs, tongues, and colons of rodent. Research studies also found that in people who consumed high levels of citrus showed a reduced risk of cancer and other deadly diseases. Hence, it is important to include citrus based fruits such as lemons, oranges, mandarins in a balanced diet.
10. Prevents Anemia
Anemia is caused by lack of iron in the blood cells. Even though lemons have a good amount of iron, they mostly assist in absorption of iron from other plant foods. While human bodies absurd iron from meat, eggs and fish (heme iron) easily, it has a hard time absorbing iron from plant-based foods (non-heme iron). Lemon water plays an important role in this process as it contains Vitamin C and citric acid.
Also read:
Lemon Essential Oil – Uses, Benefits & more
8 Benefits of Lemon Oil (Infographic)
