Scientific evidence shows that the lemon tree has been around for over 8 million years, starting its life in the foothills of the Himalaya. The ancient Egyptians drank lemon water, believing it counteracted the effects of poison. The ancient Greeks used it for medicinal purposes and for purifying their water. It is thought that the Romans were the first to use lemons for culinary purposes. Today, lemon trees are cultivated throughout the world and mainly used in cooking.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is vital for a healthy body and mind. Many people avoid drinking water as they don’t like the taste and they run to fizzy, sugary drinks instead. Add a slice of lemon or the juice of half a lemon to hot or cold water and enjoy the refreshing taste and rehydrating properties. A word of warning, don’t drink neat lemon juice as it has a negative impact on your tooth enamel.
Vitamin C
Like all citrus fruit, lemons contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and antibacterial, protecting cells from free radical damage, helping us maintain a strong immune system.
Helps Prevent Kidney Stones
It is a fact that the citric acid present in lemons helps break up and even prevents kidney stones from forming, as it increases the levels of citrate in urine.
pH Balance
Lemon water has an alkalising effect on our bodies. Although lemon juice has a pH of 2 in its natural state, that increases to a neutral 7 once it’s digested. This means it reduces the acidity in the stomach and helps with uncomfortable digestive issues such as acid reflux.
Breath Freshener
Rubbing lemon juice on our hands after preparing garlic and onions helps to remove the long lasting odour. Drinking lemon water can have the same affect on our breath, removing the strong flavours of last night’s curry or French onion soup and making our breath smell sweeter. It’s also thought to stimulate saliva production which prevents dryness in the mouth, which is another cause of lingering breath odours.