my first questions in regards to this topic is…how hydrated are you and have you discovered the beautiful marriage of lemon and water?

you know the age old advice that in order to be properly hydrated you should drink 8 – eight ounce glasses of water per day. this number can vary depending on height, weight, level of activity and other factors but the general recommendation is 8 per day.

the question is why?

every system in our body depends on water. water flushes out toxins (cleanses), carries nutrients to cells and allows for proper hydration of ear, nose and throat tissues. water supports healthy skin, digestion, circulation and respiratory functioning.

throughout the day we lose water through perspiration, elimination and breathing.

unless you don’t perspire, eliminate or breathe, you should be replenishing water in your body throughout the day.

now comes our friend, the lemon.

i get many clients who come to me with a variety of conditions for yoga therapy. the most common complaint is digestive problems. the first thing i recommend to them is to drink a room temperature (or even better slightly warmed) glass of lemon water to start their day (yes…before you drink your morning cup of coffee). more about coffee in a future post.

here is why…

• drinking lemon water right away (preferably warm) in the morning provides a flushing of your systems, digestion, elimination and circulation, from the day before. starting your day off with a “clean” slate.
• lemon purifies the blood and helps rinse and detoxify the kidneys and liver.
• lemon (although acidic in nature) produces an alkalizing effect on the body. this was an important lessons i took away from my yoga therapy training with my teacher aadil palkhivala – along with a wealth more of knowledge that i’ll be sharing in future posts. the more alkaline your body, the more healthy and able to fight off or prevent illness. disease states only occur when your body pH is acidic.
• lemon supports a more healthy digestive system and can decrease digestive issues such as heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea and constipation.
• lemons are rich in vitamin c and help the body absorb calcium and fight osteoporosis. 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in warm water is good for pregnant women, as it helps build the bones in the unborn child.
• raw lemon juice is thought to improve sleep and decrease insomnia.
• the potassium in lemons are thought to help the nerve and brain cells, improving memory and concentration and helping to calm the mind.
• lemons help to fight infection due to being rich in citric acid.
• the acidity of raw lemons lowers the impact of a meal on your blood sugar, supporting more balanced blood sugar levels.

be sure to buy organic lemons that haven’t been treated with chemicals or pesticides…

what better harmony than water and lemon together! a match made in health!

have you had your water and lemon today?