Nov 16, 2010

Many people love the tarty flavour of lemon juice in their dishes. But have you ever wondered that you can put this lemon juice to many more good uses than this?

There are enormous benefits to be drawn from the consumption of lemon juice and water in your everyday life. You simply need to arm yourself with the relevant knowledge and you will soon start valuing this amalgamation more than ever.

Lemon is an inexpensive, easily-available citrus fruit, popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is used to prepare a variety of food recipes such as lemon cakes, lemon chicken and beverages like lemonade and lemon-flavoured drinks. It is also used for garnishing.

Lemon juice consists of about 5 percent citric acid that gives a tarty taste to lemon. It is a rich source of Vitamin C. It also contains vitamins like Vitamin B, riboflavin and minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates.

Lemon is generally consumed in the form of lemon juice or lemon water. Lemon water is a healthy drink, especially when taken in the morning. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits:

1. It's good for the stomach

Lemon can help relieve many digestive problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

2. Excellent for skin-care

Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to the skin. Lemon is a Vitamin C-rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow to your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water, if applied to areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

3. Aids in dental care

Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. Massaging lemon juice into the gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to the gums.

4. Cures throat infections

Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

5. Good for weight-loss

One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves the way towards losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight-loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

6. Controls high blood pressure

Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problems, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to the mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

7. Assists in curing respiratory disorders

Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

8. Good for treating rheumatism

Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush bacteria and toxins out of the body.

9. Reduces fever

Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.

10. Acts as a blood purifier

Diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it is a blood purifier.

How much lemon water should I drink?

In case you are in good health and weigh 70 kgs or less, it is advisable for you to have the juice of half a lemon squeezed into one glass of water, twice daily. However, if you weigh more than 70 kgs, the juice of one whole lemon in a glass of water is preferable. For maximum benefit, this mixture should be taken twice a day, although you may dilute more lemon juice according to your taste if you wish.

Do not remain oblivious to gifts of nature such as this -- always try to make the most of them. Make it a part of your daily routine to drink a glass of warm lemon water in the morning, so that the gateway to its many benefits opens up to you.