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Lemon, a citrus, is among the most popular fruits in all homes used both in the kitchen and for cleaning. In the kitchen, lemon is popularly used in baking, making salads and drinks owing to its strong flavour. Other people, however, prefer to have lemon, not just as an ingredient in their recipes, but also for health purposes as it is known to be rich in vitamin C which is vital for immunity.
The magic fruit is also mentioned regularly in weight loss and protection against heart disease.
There are so many ways of ingesting lemon with the most basic one being mixing with warm water. This healthy concoction is many people’s favourite and most prefer to gulp down a cup on an empty stomach as they jam start their day. Food joints are now known to serve warm lemon water, sometimes mixed with ginger, garlic, mint and honey for sweetening.
Lemon water has many health benefits and we all should drink a cup once in a while. Here are some of the benefits lemon taken on an empty stomach
Glowing skin
As noted earlier, lemons are rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which is a vital molecule for skin health. Lemon also contains antioxidants which fend off wrinkles and fight skin blemishes. The alkaline nature of the fruit is responsible for fighting acne causing bacteria leaving your skin smooth with a glow.
Breath freshener
The citric acid found in lemons stimulates saliva production and fights off bad breath. Vitamin C is responsible for fighting off gum inflammation and gum disease which are major bad breath causing culprits. Flavonoids (natural antioxidants) keep harmful bacteria which sticks to the tongue and teeth causing a bad oduor off. The freshness associated with the lemon fruit acts as a simple but powerful mouth wash leaving you with fresh breath all day long.
Aids digestion
When taken first thing in the morning, warm lemon water flushes out toxins and improves the gastrointestinal tract’s ability in absorbing nutrients from foods you take later in the day. The citrus flavonoids in the juice prompts your body to produce bile, which is highly necessary for digestion. Lemon is also known to combat heartburn, belching and bloating, all which are associated with indigestion.
Strong immune system
Lemons possess potassium which is a brain and nerve stimulant and also controls your blood pressure. High amounts of Vitamin C in lemons are responsible for keeping flus and cold at bay and is known to have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Lemon juice dissolves uric acid which is responsible for causing pain and inflammation in joints. It is also very effective at cleansing the liver as it helps flush out toxins.
Weight loss
The pectin fiber found in lemon helps fight hunger cravings which means you will not reach out to your lunch box as many times. While it is known that lemon do not help you lose weight by themselves, drinking warm lemon water helps you fight bloating, which is one of the problems you face with heavy weight. Replacing drinks like coffee and carbonated drinks with lemon water also helps you maintain a calorie balanced diet.
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