12 Amazing Benefits of Lemons

By Barbara LeGrand Cockrell

“We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.” –Alfred E. Newman

 Lemons are alkaline-forming in the body, although acidic in taste. They are in fact one of the most alkaline-forming foods making them great for balancing a highly acidic condition in the body. So what can we do to initiate feeling better, be more energized, and help alkalize our diet? Simple, drink lemon water.

Lemons offer an excellent source of Vitamin C, to help boost immune system and our mood. The scent of lemon alone is known as an excellent uplifting scent, promoting concentration and reducing anxiety. Drinking lemon water every morning can reduce your need for a caffeine boost and help to alkalize your diet.

12 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water:

1. Lemons are alkalizing for the body: Lemons are acidic to begin with but they are alkaline-forming on body fluids helping to restore balance to the body’s pH.  Acidifying foods like refined carbohydrates, sugar, caffeine, meat, and dairy can create an acidic environment in the body which is a foundation for illness.

2. Aids digestion, encourages bile production, reduces mucous and helps eliminate toxins.

3. Breaks down excessive uric acid in the body which helps to minimize joint pain and inflammation.

4. The vitamin C and antioxidants found in lemon water help with the formation of collagen, reducing wrinkles, smoothing and brightening your skin.

5. Pectin fiber in lemons aids regular bowel movements and reduces hunger.

6. The citric acid in lemon juice helps to dissolve gallstones, calcium deposits, and kidney stones.

7. The lemon peel contains the potent phytonutrient tangeretin, which has been proven to be effective for brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

8. It destroys intestinal worms.

9. Lemons have powerful antibacterial properties; experiments have found the juice of lemons destroy the bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases.

10. Blood vessels are strengthened by the vitamin P (bioflavinoids) in lemon thus preventing internal hemorrhage, also, making it useful in treating high blood pressure.

11. The symptoms of eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy have been shown in research to improve due to the rutin, found in lemons.

12. Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including naturally occurring limonene; oil which slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals, and flavonol glycosides which stop cell division in cancer cells.

 

We challenge you to try lemon water for 14 days and see how it improves your energy, digestion, and well-being.

When you wake up in the morning, squeeze half a lemon into a large glass (min. 16 ounces or two cups) of room temperature water. After squeezing out the juice, you can place the lemon into the glass, or discard. You should not eat or drink anything else until approximately 20 minutes after finishing the lemon water. If you happen to have weak tooth enamel, you can sip the water through a straw to avoid the lemon juice affecting your teeth.