One of the things I’ve been doing while straightening out my eating practices is to drink lemon water in the mornings. I first became aware of the benefits of lemon water via Joy McCarthy’s twitter feed. She’s a big proponent of lemon water and encourages pretty much everyone to drink it.
So, why is it a good idea? Well, lemon juice mixed with water creates a beverage that, when imbibed, helps to raise the body’s pH level. Lemon juice, when metabolized, is very alkalizing and therefore can help balance out an acidic body. Being acidic is not a good condition to be in – if this is the case, one is more susceptible to falling ill, feeling fatigued, etc.
Lemon water helps to stimulate digestion as well, and ameliorate heartburn and bloating. Some people believe lemon water is helpful for weight loss, too, but I’m not absolutely sure about that.
It’s very simple to prepare – just cut a lemon in half and squeeze it into a glass, then add 8-12 oz of water. That’s it! I drink it first thing in the morning, but some people also drink it mid-day and in the evenings as well. In the mornings, the key is to drink it first thing before you eat anything.
After you drink it, though, it’s best to rinse out your mouth with water to get rid of as much of the residual acid as possible – while lemon juice is alkaline when metabolized, it is acidic in the mouth and can affect tooth enamel and such. Wait about a half- hour to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon after drinking/eating things acidic can do more harm than good, as the tooth enamel will still be too soft – you’ll most likely be removing a microscopic layer that could have been repaired by the minerals in your saliva. So, be careful in this respect.
For me, I find that I feel sort of “cleansed” after drinking lemon water. Some years back a massage therapist friend of mine told me that drinking lemon water after body work or rigorous exercise has a detoxifying effect, too. I like drinking it after I run. I also find that when I drink lemon water regularly, I have less sugar cravings and my digestion is calmer. All good things.
Definitely try it out and let me know what you think!
Hiya Meg, you mention it briefly but the citric acid in lemonade and orange juice can have devastating effects on teeth enamel. The tooth surface is dissolved by the acid, and chronic exposure (i.e. multiple times a day as you are suggesting) can be damaging. Rather than wait an hour, rinse/brush immediately or chase that acid out of your mouth with another non-acidic beverage.
Thanks, zakrah! I’ve edited the post to make it clearer about the acid and tooth enamel issue. I agree with your suggestion to rinse your mouth with a non-acidic beverage (water would be my choice, but milk would probably be ok, too), but interestingly enough, my research indicates that brushing too soon can potentially cause more harm than good. According to dentists, apparently the minerals in your saliva will already be on the case to assist with preserving the tooth enamel. The human body is truly amazing! 🙂
Drink it though a straw!
Not a bad idea!