If you find it difficult to drink the recommended eight glasses of water per day, try adding some lemon slices to hot or cold water. Also known as lemon water, this refreshing beverage has been linked to a wide range of health benefits, from fresh breath to lowered levels of inflammation.

Here are a number of reasons why you should incorporate lemon water into your daily routine. (h/t to EcoWatch.com)

1. It’s hydrating.

Lemon water is mainly water with lemon juice and lemon slices added, meaning it has all the health benefits of regular water. In particular, lemon water is hydrating, so drink it first thing in the morning. Sweating can cause water loss at night, which is why many people wake up a little dehydrated.

Fill a tumbler with lemon water and place it on your bedside table so you can easily reach for it in the morning.

2. It aids in digestion.

Drink a glass of lemon water in the morning to wake up your digestive system and prevent constipation. Water makes it easier to pass stool, thereby reducing the risk of constipation. Plus, the acids in lemons help break down food efficiently, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients from the foods you eat.

Some people with gut problems tend to avoid acidic foods like lemons since those can worsen stomach cramps, ulcers and heartburn. But once inside your body, lemon actually becomes alkaline because the citric acid in lemon doesn’t create acidity once metabolized.

3. It supports healthy immune function.

Citrus fruits like lemons are good sources of vitamin C, a nutrient essential for healthy immune function. It helps your body ward off harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi. Vitamin C also helps reduce the duration and severity of a cold. One lemon yields 21.6 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C. The recommended daily amount for adults is 65 to 90 mg. Simply adding lemons to your water helps increase your intake of vitamin C.

4. It’s a good source of potassium.

Lemons provide a fair amount of potassium, an essential mineral that plays a role in regulating fluid balance. It ensures that there’s enough water in your body to stay healthy but not so much that you retain fluid. Potassium also balances out sodium since high levels of sodium can raise blood pressure.

Potassium also ensures that your brain gets enough oxygen by relaxing the blood vessels in your brain to allow better circulation. It also ensures that your heart is beating properly. You need about 3,500 mg of potassium per day. Adding lemon water to your diet makes it easier for you to reach your daily intake of potassium.

5. It gets rid of bad breath.

Drink lemon water in the morning and after meals to get rid of bad breath, which is primarily caused by bacteria in the mouth or throat. Thanks to its antiseptic properties, lemon helps kill odor-causing bacteria. It is also thought to stimulate saliva production to prevent a dry mouth, which can also cause bad breath. Avoid drinking concentrated lemon juice to get rid of bad breath. The acidic juice can wear down tooth enamel.

6. It helps combat inflammation.

Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals that can damage your cells, tissues and DNA, which means fewer triggers for inflammation. You can increase your vitamin C intake by adding lemon water to your diet.

7. It may aid in weight loss.

Drinking lemon water alone won’t lead to weight loss. But combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, it can make it easier for you to lose weight or maintain a healthy one in the long run. That’s because drinking more water helps boost your metabolism so that you burn calories more efficiently.

Drinking a glass of lemon water before a meal may also help discourage overeating.

8. It relieves bloating.

If you often feel bloated after eating, try washing down your food with lemon water. Lemon is a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more frequently. By increasing urine output, it reduces the amount of water in your body, preventing bloating and water retention.

How to make lemon water

Lemon water is just that: water that has added lemon juice and slices. It’s up to you whether you want to go for cold, hot or even warm water. You can add other ingredients, such as orange slices or mint leaves if desired.

Take note that acidic liquids, such as lemon juice, can be harmful to the enamel of your teeth. But as long as you don’t make a habit of sucking on lemons or drinking lemon juice all the time, you should be fine.

Lemon water is a hydrating beverage linked to several health benefits, such as healthy digestion and a stronger immune system. Incorporate it into your daily routine to reap its benefits.

Sources:

EcoWatch.com

NutritionData.Self.com