The refreshing lemon water is one of the most popular beverages across the globe for many reasons.
It is not only tasty and hydrating but is also beneficial for your health. Drinking lemon water for health purposes has actually become a rage in the past few decades.
You can prepare a simple glass of lemon water in more than ten different ways by experimenting with the ingredients.
Each one of them would be equally healthy and tasty. In this article, we have tried to explore the benefits of boiled lemon water, another great alternative to traditional lemon water.
For preparing this beverage, warm water is used instead of cold or normal water and that is what makes all the difference.
The nutritional content of lemon water
Lemon, one of the two main ingredients of this beverage is a rich source of vitamin C. The juice of one lemon provides around 21 per cent of a person’s daily value (DV). Additionally, the citric fruit is rich in flavonoids, a compound with powerful disease-fighting properties.
The drink is low in fat, carbs, sugar, but contains traces of several vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folate, and vitamin B.
The nutritional value of each glass of lemon water varies depending on how much lemon juice is squeezed in it and other ingredients added to it.
As per dietary guidelines, females older than 19 years must take 75 mg of vitamin C and for males older than 19 years it is 90 mg per day. Those who smoke need more vitamin C per day than those who do not.
When it comes to specifically boiled lemon water, there are still not many scientific studies carried out that can help us understand if boiling changes the nutritional content. Some studies suggest that boiling may actually reduce the number of nutrients in the drink. Even then drinking boiled lemon is said to be extremely beneficial for health. Some health benefits of drinking it are:
1. Improve skin condition
Being rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, lemon water can protect your skin against damage caused by free radicals. It can reduce the sign of ageing, fine lines and decrease the occurrences of acne. Vitamin C intake can also help wounds to heal faster and reduce the scar. Taking the drink every day can make your skin look fresh and shiny.
2. Lowers blood pressure
Lemon drink contains traces of several minerals that may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. Calcium and potassium both can lower blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension. A study suggests that lemon water can help bring the number to the normal range immediately.
3. Boosts immunity
Vitamin C even has immunity-boosting properties. Having this drink daily may also help to protect against respiratory disorders like COVID and flu. Boosting immunity is the simplest thing you can do for the sake of your health and to stay fit.
4. Improves digestion
If you are one of those who often suffer from the problem of constipation, bloating or heartburn taking a glass of lemon water after a meal can help you get rid of all these problems. Drinking warm water may also boost your metabolism and help you burn some kilos.
How to prepare it
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to preparing boiled lemon water. You can always experiment with it and add different ingredients to improve the taste as per your palate. There are two basic methods to make your glass of lemon water.
Method 1
Cut a lemon in half and squeeze it nicely to get the juice. Add the juice to a glass of boiled water and let it cool before drinking it.
Method 2
Cut a lemon into slices and add a piece of it to a freshly boiled cup of water. Allow it to cool for a while before drinking.
The takeaway
Lemon water is a tasty drink that also has some amazing health benefits. Adding it to your diet will also help stay hydrated. The drink is generally safe for consumption for everyone, but overdoing can damage tooth enamel over time and increase the risk of cavities. Stick to one or two glasses of boiled lemon water in a day.
