Drinking lemon water boasts plenty of health benefits. It’s loaded with Vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary to support the immune system, promote healing, and enhance the absorption of iron and green tea antioxidants. So grab a glass and some lemons!
Like all citrus fruits, lemon is a rich source of Vitamin C, which plays a major role in several biological processes that promote and maintain health. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helps boost the immune system, and aids in the development and repair of various tissues.
Additionally, when consumed in conjunction with specific nutrients, Vitamin C helps the body absorb these nutrients much more efficiently. All of these great benefits can be obtained by adding a few glasses of lemon water to your day; however, you’ll need to squeeze more than just a wedge of lemon to reap these rewards.
Antioxidants
Lemon water is full of Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant responsible for clearing the body of free radicals. (Learn more about antioxidants here.) Free radicals are disease-causing molecules that build up in the body in response to poor diets, air pollution, over consumption of alcohol, and other environmental toxins that find their way into your body. Research has demonstrated that free radicals play a major role in cancer, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions. Drinking a glass of lemon water daily can help fight these free radicals and lessen their burden on your body.
Healthy Immune Function
Vitamin C has been long known to boost the immune system and help the body fight off sickness. Lemons contain saponins, which have been found to elicit anti-inflammatory effects in the body, thereby enhancing the immune system. Although drinking lemon water can’t rid you of your cold once you have it, drinking a glass of lemon water daily may help prevent it.
Healing
The vitamin C found in lemon water is necessary to make collagen, a protein required for wound healing and an essential nutrient for the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Collagen is also needed to maintain the integrity of skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. The next time you have a deep wound or abrasion, increase your vitamin C intake by drinking a glass or two of lemon water daily.
Nutrient Uptake
When consumed in conjunction with some foods, the vitamin C in lemon water can help the body more efficiently absorb specific nutrients, making them more bioavailable. One nutrient in particular is iron, which is found in lentils, beans, beef, and greens. Iron is also a nutrient that plays a key role in preventing sickness by supporting the immune system. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb the antioxidants found in green tea called catechins. Next time you decide to have a cup of green tea, try steeping it in some warm lemon water to obtain maximum health benefits.
So how much vitamin c you really need? The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 90mg/day for men and 75mg/day for women. This is equivalent to 7.5 ounces (6.25 for women) aka almost a whole cup! But no fear, there are plenty of additional sources of vitamin C such as brocolli, kale, strawberries and pineapple.
