My first beautybynature blog post! YAY! I am very excited to start sharing this blog and hopefully helping others with their health. Now, I am going to start with a disclaimer: I am not a professional nutritionist and I am not a doctor. I am, however, a passionate health freak who thinks it's great fun to study natural remedies and prevention over treatment. My goal is to give simple yet powerful health suggestions that anyone can take in their lives without overwhelming people by with extremes. So here we go.
When life gives you lemons? Squeeze them into your water
(and why).
At the
age of two I had already been hospitalized twice because of asthma. Likewise my
father, brother, and grandma have struggled with this disease all their lives
as well. The other day I was studying the health benefits of lemon water and I
came across its possibly treating asthma. I am really into natural remedies so
I was quite intrigued. This is what I found.
For
starters lemons are an exceptional source of vitamin C containing 187 % DV in
one cup of raw lemon juice. Vitamin C is an immune system booster which can prevent
problems that trigger asthma (such as allergies or a cold and stress). Lemons
also reduce inflammation by removing the uric acid in your joints. In the case
of treating asthma with lemon water, it is also helpful to add a touch of ginger
to your remedy. Ginger is also highly anti-inflammatory. It can help clear the
airways and ease breathing faster. (1)
Needless
to say I was quite excited about this knowledge. But when coupled with the rest
of the benefits of lemon water I was (and am) completely sold on drinking it. Here
are just a few extra advantages to lemons that you might not know.
Digestive health: lemons are an antioxidant and a cleanser. Therefor they work to loosen the toxins in your dietary track and can relieve digestion problems such as heartburn burping and bloating . (2)
Digestive health: lemons are an antioxidant and a cleanser. Therefor they work to loosen the toxins in your dietary track and can relieve digestion problems such as heartburn burping and bloating . (2)
Skin
health: the antioxidants in lemons will not only help reduce or cure blemishes
but they also reduce wrinkles, and cleanse your blood. Your skin will look
radiant and healthy. You can also apply lemon juice directly to scars and it
can reduce or erase them. (2)
Weight
loss and caffeine resistance: This to me was really neat. I happen to feel
quite strongly that caffeinated beverages are one of the primary causes of
weight problems in America. Lemons not only contain pectin fiber which can curb
hunger cravings, but you can also replace lemon water for your favorite caffeinated
drink. Just try a hot cup of lemon water in the morning and see what it does to
your afternoon. It can boost your energy levels, make you feel alert and
refreshed and won't give you an energy crash in the afternoon. (2)
Extras: Lemons also contain calcium ( 2 % DV), Vitamin A (1 % DV), Dietary fiber (4 %
DV), Protein (1g), magnesium (4 % DV), Copper (4 % DV), potassium (9 % DV),
Many of the B vitamins Including B6 (6 % DV) and Folate (8 % DV) among others. (3)
Worried
about your teeth? No problem. Diluting the lemon juice by squeezing it into
water will keep the acidic levels down. Lemons are also metabolized as alkaline
so they actually reduce the acid levels in your body.
How much
to use? One guide I found suggested that those weighing over 150lbs should use
the juice of one lemon and those weighing less that 150lbs should use half a
lemon. A good time to take it is first thing in the morning about a half hour
before eating. That gives your body time to digest it and reap all the rewards.
It is wise to use lukewarm water and avoid brushing your teeth right after
drinking it. (2)
So when
life gives you lemons bon appetit!
Sites I visited.
No comments:
Post a Comment