No, we are not referring to a dud car parked at the water cooler; we are referring to the lemon: the wonder fruit.
Lemons are mostly attributed as being a good source of vitamin C, (which they are) but that isn’t all they contain.
According to the USDA National Nutrient Database lemons contain everything from vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid to minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. They also contain more potassium than do apples or grapes.
As we head into the shivery months, we look at the myriad health boosts, easily achievable through simply drinking a glass of warm lemon water every day (mornings are usually best):
Aids digestion*
Lemon juice encourages the liver to produce bile, which is an acid that is required for digestion. That’s important when you consider that a study showed that over 30% of men and women over age 60 had atrophic gastritis, a condition marked by little or no stomach acid. Drinking warm lemon water every morning can help kick-start your digestive system without overloading it.
Good for your brain*
They’re high in potassium, which research shows stimulates brain and nerve function. Just one lemon contains 80 milligrams of this essential mineral – which is also important for basic cell and muscle functions and maintaining your body’s fluid balance.
Boosts your immune system*
Lemons are high in Vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. Not an old wives’ tale then – as Vitamin C has been shown to increase the production of white blood cells. White blood cells are the defender cells that attack bacteria and viruses. Vitamin C may also keep existing immune cells healthier and better able to produce enough of the kind of antibodies that attach to viruses and bacteria to mark them for destruction.
It clears skin*
The vitamin C in warm lemon water helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood, which helps keep skin clear as well. In addition to drinking it, lemon water can actually be applied directly to scars to help reduce their appearance.
There are tons more benefits which will be detailed in upcoming blog – consider this your starter pack on your pathway to healthy hydration.
If you’re concerned about forgetting your daily power packed warm glass of Vitamin C every day, (you head into the kitchen, switch the kettle on, wander back to your workstation, and promptly forget you switched the kettle on), fear not, AquAid has the perfect solution. We supply a range of hot and cold water coolers and water boilers that keep your lemon water base at the perfect temperature throughout the day. Pour yourself a glass, squeeze in your lemon juice and you are set. Lemon up!
*Extracts from an article at La Jolla Mom
