Drinking warm lemon water in the mornings has recently been a popular trend. But, it still doesn’t “squeeze” all the potential that a lemon has to offer.
Warm lemon water won’t provide all the nutrients the exotic fruit has to offer, such as the ones from the peel and pulp. Boiling a whole lemon is far better, as it provides all the nutrients of the lemon and further increases the effects of lemon water.
Here are four compelling reasons to make this quick concoction part of your morning ritual.
1. It helps you detox every day.
While lemons may seem quite acidic, they're a surprisingly good source of an alkaline food that can help balance your body's pH; internist and doctor of integrative medicine Dr. Frank Lipman is a big proponent of a hot water with lemon habit, since the combination wakes up your liver and flushes out nasty toxins.
2. It wakes up your digestive tract.
This simple yet powerful beverage stimulates your gastrointestinal tract—improving your body's ability to absorb nutrients all day and helping food pass through your system with ease.
3. It supports weight loss.
Lemon juice contains pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to aid in weight-loss struggles. And if you've been sipping on a cup of tea loaded with sugar or honey every morning, this beverage will slash calories from your daily diet.
4. It soothes an upset tummy.
When you go to bed on a full stomach, pesky heartburn or a bloated belly can get in the way of your morning. Hot water cleanses your system, while the flavonoids from lemon juice may help reduce acidity in your stomach, so you feel like yourself sooner.
Here’s how to prepare a great drink for the morning:
Ingredients:
- 4 whole unpeeled organic lemons.
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger.
- 4 heads of garlic.
- 2 liters of water.
Preparation:
1. Wash the lemon thoroughly before cutting them into pieces. Set aside. Do the same with the garlic.
2. Put the lemons, garlic and grated ginger into a blender or food processor. Mix well.
3. In a saucepan, put water and the mixture. Let it boil for 15 minutes.
4. Strain and pour the liquid obtained in a bottle or glass jar with a lid. Store in the fridge.
Consumption:
Drink a glass of this water for 3 weeks then take a week off and repeat the procedure. If the taste will be very unpleasant at first, you can add a teaspoon of honey to it.