Monday, March 4, 2013

The Great Benefits of Lemon Water!

Good morning loves! I try to make Monday on the blog all about my cooking adventures, well today's post is in similar vein. Recently I've been reading and hearing a lot about people who praise lemon water's health benefits and I just wanted to share with you all this great health gem that I've been actively drinking for about a year now. 

I first discovered the importance of consuming lemon water when I read Kriss Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet a few years ago but didn't start making a habit of drinking it 'till last year when I kicked up my workout routine. 

So as soon as I wake up I drink a mug full of purified warm lemon water with a dash of cayenne pepper. The reason it's so great for your body (as explained by Tia and Tamara) is because it:

Aids digestion – Lemon waters helps stimulate digestion and increase the utilization of fats in your body, which can be super helpful in promoting weight loss. The benefit of drinking warm water instead of cold water is that the temperature slightly raises your body heat, allowing for a slight increase in thermogenesis, which is the process your body uses to burn calories from foods.   The warm water also makes it easier to break down old food in your digestive track and flush it straight out of your body.

Cleanses your system – According Dr. Gillian McKeith in her book You Are What You Eat, "A warm cup of water first thing in the morning (and even better with a squeeze of lemon) goes right through the bowels and cleans mucus out from the day before. Drink another cup in the evening too."  Lemons also prevent bacteria buildup in the body and help clean your body of impurities.

Stimulate the liver – The liver produces more enzymes from lemon/lime water than any other food.  These enzymes are what help you digest the food you eat everyday.  Amazing!

Good source of vitamins – Lemons are an amazing source of vitamin C, which we all know helps boost your immune system.  Did you know that it also helps keep your skin glowing and free of blemishes?  Lemon water also contains a high amount of potassium, an important mineral that works with sodium to smooth out the electrical transmission between your brain, heart and nervous system.

The Recipe:


Cut up a lemon
Pour yourself 12- 16 ounces of purified water

Heat the water for no more than a minute, you don't want the water to be extremely hot, just warm

Squeeze a bit of lemon into the warm water
Add a dash of cayenne pepper (helps awaken circulation)
Enjoy! This is how happy lemon water makes me, duh. ;D Please excuse the bed head. #LovingMyHaircut



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