Oftentimes before the alarm goes off in our house, the little dove climbs into our bed and wraps her arms around our necks and announces loudly ‘I’m AWAKE!’ and so we start our day, at 6 a.m. Or today at 5:45, ahem.
The last thing I want to do when I wake up that early is anything that doesn’t involve some strong coffee. I had kicked the coffee habit for five years, yes FIVE long years, and then the little dove appeared and frankly somedays coffee isn’t enough. Lord have mercy on my worn-out parental soul!
The way I see it is I could quit coffee and be a miserable mamma and partner with dark circles under my eyes (oh wait, I already have those) who looks like a zombie from Walking Dead, roaming around the house bumping into things, my family, life, foaming at the bit for some of that devine drug caffein. OR… I could just drink it and be awake enough to parent. I choose the latter. Don’t judge.
Like the rest of my posts so far, there is a healthy side to this little tale. An aryuvedic one at that. So pull out your yoga mat and get into your goddess pose, feel the earth beneath your feet, and take a big ujaii breath because I’m about to drop some ancient Indian knowledge. I drink warm lemon water before my coffee! That’s right, between getting kicked in the face awake by the precious dove and fumbling towards the glowing kettle in the dark kitchen, I drink lemon water before the coffee touches my lips.
Why? Because apparently drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning is very, very, good for you. If I’m going to lurk around the french press like a junkie in a dark ally, I might as well drink some lemon water while I wait. And so should you.
¨Ayurveda calls for getting a jump-start on the day by focusing on morning rituals that work to align the body with nature’s rhythms, balance the doshas, and also foster self-esteem alongside self-discipline.¨
The benefits are numerous, but here are 10 reasons why you should drink warm lemon water to start your day.
1) Aids Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. The digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.
2) Cleanses Your System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials in part because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Therefore toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. The citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.
3) Boosts Your Immune System. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, and is used as complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms plus it enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in immune function. Lemons also contain saponins, which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. Lemons also reduce the amount of phlegm produced by the body.
4) Balances pH Levels. Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Yes, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they’re alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood. Disease states only occur when the body pH is acidic. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.
5) Can Help Clear Your Skin. The vitamin C component as well as other antioxidants helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and it helps to combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is vital for healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age spots to help reduce their appearance. Since lemon water purges toxins from your blood, it would also be helping to keep your skin clear of blemishes from the inside out. The vitamin C contained in the lemon rejuvenates the skin from within your body.
6) Energizes and Enhances Your Mood. The energy a human receives from food comes from the atoms and molecules in your food. A reaction occurs when the positive charged ions from food enter the digestive tract and interact with the negative charged enzymes. Lemon is one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions, providing your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.
7) Promotes Healing. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.
8) Freshens Breath. Besides fresher breath, lemons have been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. Be aware that citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should be mindful of this. It is best to brush your teeth first, then drink your lemon water, or wait a significant amount of time after to brush your teeth. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with purified water after you finish your lemon water.
9) Hydrates Your Lymph System. Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling stressed, just to name a few.
10) Aids in Weight Loss. Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. Studies have shown people who maintain a more alkaline diet, do in fact lose weight faster.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 squeezed lemon (do not use bottled lemon juice, fresh is best)
- 1 glass warm, not scalding, purified water
Directions:
1. Squeeze lemon into the warm water and drink.
2. Some sources say it’s best to wait a few minutes before consuming anything else. For me personally, there is probably a half second between my lemon water and my coffee. Do what you must, but I encourage you to begin your day with this simple ritual. Enjoy!
