at 6:45 am every morning, my alarm clock goes off. that’s when i jump out of bed and get ready for my morning run. this is my ritual. running 5 miles every morning centers and energizes me. it gives me time alone with my thoughts; a meditation led by the rhythmic sound of my breath and my feet striking the pavement.
a few weeks ago, i started a new ritual. i started juicing half a lemon into a glass of water and downing it – first thing. the effects are visceral: drinking the tart water instantly makes me alert and i dare say, gives my feet the little kick they need in the early hours.
after my morning lemon water became a habit {note: to become a habit, a behavior must be done regularly for about 3 weeks}, i finally started researching if there are any natural benefits to drinking lemon juice on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. turns out, there are quite a few:
internal cleansing: lemon scent is often associated with a clean feeling. that’s because it truly is a cleansing agent! drinking water with lemon first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, cleans out your liver and kidneys. those organs work very hard to keep toxins out of your system, so any additional help – especially a natural one – is only positive.{the scientific term is “anti-scorbutic,” meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities}
better digestion: excuse the graphic nature of this one, but we’re all human and we all get weirdness in our insides. enter: lemon water. because of its digestive qualities, lemon water reduces heartburn, bloating and belching. that means less pain & discomfort and a more slimming silhouette ! in addition, by drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are helped out so constipation and diarrhea are controlled.
weight loss: combined with regular exercise, lime or lemon juice acts as a fat burner. there are several theories as to why this is. first, lemons contain citric acid, and when combined with other acids and enzymes, stimulates the stomach juices leading to a more efficient digestive system. the high vitamin C content is another explanation. not only is vitamin C effective for improving the immune system, it has also recently been proven to help improve the digestive system.
beautiful skin: i love this one. aside from a daily cleanser and a weekly cleansing mask, i put nothing on my skin. my philosophy is that your skin is a reflection of your lifestyle, so if i can make it glow from what i put inside my body – all the better! because lemon is a natural antiseptic, it helps in curing skin problems. it also acts as an anti-aging remedy {think wrinkles and blackheads}. couple this with a great diet, no smoking, and regular sweat sessions, and you have the fountain of youth!
energy! i don’t know if this is scientifically true, but i also believe in observational science. since i’ve been drinking lemon water in the morning, i have definitely felt an improvement in my energy levels – lasting from my run all the way through the day.
give lemon water a try when you wake up tomorrow. i’ve already gotten M hooked, and i found out my mother has been doing this for years {and that woman is a fire-cracker}. the effort is small for such great and long-lasting benefits.
