Lemonade is, for many of us, synonymous with hot summer days and keeping cool. But, as a delicious and nutritious beverage that can be easily made at home, it deserves wider acceptance.
The benefits of lemon + water are well known. Here’s a look at the real benefits of drinking lemon juice which have been demonstrated by scientific studies.
Seven Benefits
- Heart healthy: lemons are packed with vitamin C, phytochemicals such as hesperidin and diosmin, and also fiber, all of which aid in keeping the heart and circulatory system healthy.
- Kidney health: in some studies, citric acid is believed to reduce the risk of kidney stones, and may help to prevent their formation.
- Vitamin C: the vitamin helps your body to absorb other nutrients, including calcium and iron. It’s also good for your skin health.
- Anti-cancer: the vitamins and bioflavonoids in lemon juice have demonstrated antioxidant and anticancer properties in some studies.
- Digestion: the acids in lemon juice are known to help your body’s digestive processes, and can help you overcome constipation as well as settle a queasy stomach.
- Keeping cool: drinking lemon juice in lemonade may just help you perspire more, which in turn will help you stay cooler in hot weather – no wonder it’s a summertime fave!
- Minerals: lemons contain iron and potassium, as well as smaller amounts of many other minerals such as calcium and magnesium; lemonade is a good way to stay hydrated and remineralize for a moderate workout.
Tips to add to the effect
There are a couple of ways that you can maximize the benefits of drinking lemonade.
- Take it easy on sugar, and use honey as a substitute where possible;
- In addition to lemon juice, boil the lemon peel for about 15 minutes, and use the water in your lemonade.
The conclusion has to be…
More lemonade on the menu.
