Pucker Up-The Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Because they are rich in flavanones and phenolic acids, lemons (and other citrus fruits) have been studied for their anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties as well as the inhibition of blood clots, according to Dr. Okezie Aruoma, Professor of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences at the American University of Health Sciences. In addition, Dr. Jinhee Kim and associates at the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A & M University found that lemons may help prevent certain types of breast cancer. Furthermore, Dr. Okezie has found that lemon juice may be able to assist in managing diabetes. He notes that “oxidative-stress-induced cell damage has been implicated in a variety of chronic diseases” — and the antioxidants in lemon juice can help combat this oxidative stress. Citrus phytophenols are also able to “reduce glucose uptake” and may inhibit intestinal glucose uptake through the Na+ co-transporter. That means citrus juice, like that which is found in the lemon, could potentially be used to help control the blood glucose level of diabetics. If you’re pre-diabetic, or if diabetes is part of your family history, you may want to consider adding a daily dose of glucose control to your diet — in the form of lemon water. Of course, always consult your doctor first, and never use this or any alternative health advice as a replacement for your regular medications or doctor-prescribed management plans. For those who want to keep their neural plasticity, mix lemon water with some sparkling mineral water for a delicious antioxidant-rich beverage that is able to block cholinesterase. In case you didn’t know, cholinesterase has been implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and senile dementia (neurodegenerative disorders). If you’re looking to lose weight, citrus liminoids have been shown to have potential antifeedant effects (inhibition of normal feeding behavior), so they’re often used as a healthy diet supplement option, as well. Lemon is a great boon to your health, and so many of your body’s systems are benefited by it. From your skin to your immune system, lemon is truly an extremely helpful dietary ally. One of the easiest ways to incorporate it into your diet — besides using them in recipes — is by adding a splash of the juice in your next cup of water.
Source: Complete Nutrition