Are you one to reach for a coffee first thing in the morning to bring you back to life? Before you do, let us slide an extra step into your morning routine with a glass of lemon water. There’s a lot of fact and fiction about the benefits of this simple concoction, but we’re here to tell you that there are plenty of benefits from this simple and refreshing addition to your water!
1. Aids digestion
The acids in our stomachs are essential for breaking down foods but as we age, our bodies’ natural production of these acids declines. The citric acid of lemons has been shown to boost the secretion of gastric acids, in turn allowing our bodies to more easily break down foods and aid digestion.
2. Good source of vitamin C
Oranges are the fruit commonly associated with vitamin C, but there are a number of other excellent food sources of this vitamin - lemons included! Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body’s cells from free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can damage healthy cells, increasing the risk of illness and accelerating the ageing process.
Not only does vitamin C help boost our immunity, but it has also been linked to other fantastic benefits such as lowering blood pressure, helping the body absorb iron, improving cardiovascular health and more.
On the other hand, a lack of vitamin C can lead to side effects like dry skin, insomnia, fatigue, and vulnerability to infections. So there are plenty of reasons to boost your morning routine with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice!
3. Helps clear skin
Another benefit of hitting your system with this dose of vitamin C to kickstart the day is the skin-clearing properties it provides. On top of all the functions that we listed above, vitamin C is known to help the body produce collagen, helping smooth out fine lines in the face. What better way to boost your skincare routine than sipping on a refreshing glass of lemon water while you apply your creams and serums? Even better, you don’t have to dip into your wallet for another expensive solution to achieve smooth, clear and glowing skin - win!
4. Supports weight loss
If you’re one to reach for a sugary beverage in the mornings, whether it be a glass of orange juice, an iced latte with a dollop of vanilla syrup or tea with two sugars, a simple swap can make a significant impact. This helps cut down refined sugars, artificial flavours and empty calories from your morning routine, and this change every day, week and month accumulates a significant difference. Plus, drinking more water has been directly linked to improved weight loss by regulating metabolism and digestion. Which leads us to our final point…
5. Helps with hydration
And the cherry on top - drinking lemon water helps boost hydration. If gulping down a glass of plain ol’ water first thing in the morning isn’t your thing, adding a squeeze of lemon juice and some lemon slices adds that splash of flavour your taste buds are missing. If you make your water more exciting, you’ll drink more of it - simple! In turn, the benefits of drinking more water and staying hydrated include optimising physical performance, improving brain function, clearing your skin, boosting your energy… the list goes on!
This simple step in your morning routine is a must for a clean, hydrating, and energising start to your day. Enjoy hot, warm or cold, and spruce it up with some mint leaves, berries or slices of other refreshing citrus fruits and voila! You’re ready to take on the day ahead after doing a little bit extra to care for you and your body.
