I recently received an email about the health benefits of lemons. It was interesting, so I thought I’d share it with you.

I didn’t write this article; I’m merely passing it on. If you want more information, check www.healthynews24.com or www.livingtraditionally.com/20-reasons-drink-lemon-water-mornings.

Warm water is good for your health, as it keeps the body hydrated and helps in flushing out the harmful effects of toxins from your body. Lemon juice is a natural source of many essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, and Vitamin C, A, and B-complex along with elements like protein, pectin fibers, and carbohydrates. The essential element in a lemon – citric acid – is an impressive blood purifier with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties that not only boosts your immunity but also helps you in keeping yourself healthy.

Water with lemon provides the body with electrolytes, which hydrate your body, as lemons contain a good amount of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Water with lemon is good for the joints, reducing pain in the joints and muscles.

Warm water with lemon helps digestion, as lemon contains citric acid. It interacts with other enzymes and acids, which easily stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and digestion.

The liver produces more enzymes from water with lemon than from any other food.

Water with lemon cleanses the liver. Lemon juice stimulates the liver to release toxins.

Water with lemon helps fight infections of the respiratory tract, sore throats, and inflammation of the tonsils. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of lemon.

Warm water with lemon helps regulate natural bowel movement.

Water with lemon is indispensable for the normal work of metabolism. Since lemon is a powerful antioxidant, it protects the body from free radicals and strengthens the immune system.

Water with lemon aids in proper functioning of the nervous system (as lemon has a high content of potassium). Depression and anxiety are often the result of low levels of potassium in the blood. The nervous system needs a sufficient amount of potassium to ensure sustainable signals to the heart.

Water with lemon cleanses blood, blood vessels, and arteries.

Water with lemon can help lower blood pressure. A daily intake of one lemon can reduce high blood pressure by 10 percent.

Water with lemon creates an alkalizing effect in the body. Even if you drink it immediately before a meal, it can help your body maintain a higher level of PH. The higher the pH, the more your body is able to fight diseases.

Water with lemon is good for the skin. Vitamin C in lemon improves your skin by rejuvenating the body. Drinking water with lemon regularly (every morning) will improve the condition of your skin.

Water with lemon helps to dilute uric acid, the buildup of which leads to pain in the joints and gout.

Water with lemon is beneficial for pregnant women. Since lemons are loaded with Vitamin C, it acts as an adaptogen, helping the body cope with viruses such as colds. Furthermore, vitamin C helps the formation of bone tissue of the unborn baby. At the same time, due to the high content of potassium, a mixture of water with lemon helps forming cells of the brain and nervous system of the baby.

Water with lemon relieves heartburn. For this, mix a teaspoon of lemon juice in half of a glass of water.

Water with lemon helps dissolve gallstones, kidney stones, pancreatic stones, and calcium deposits.

Water with lemon helps with weight loss. Lemons contain pectin fiber, which helps suppress hunger cravings. Studies have proven people with a better alkaline diet have lost weight faster.

Water with lemon helps with tooth pain and gingivitis.

Water with lemon prevents cancer. This is because lemons are a highly alkaline food. Multiple studies have found that cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline environment.

How and when to drink water with lemon:

For this purpose, use warm purified or spring water. Take half of a cup of warm water without sugar and squeeze in at least half of lemon or lime. You can also use lemon essential oil.

You need to drink water with lemon first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Some recommend a drink of water one hour before meals for maximum results.

Now you have the most recent scoop on lemon water! 

As far as the recipe goes, I’m taking the whole month to eat “Irish-ly” (lots of corned beef sandwiches, Irish stew, etc.), so my recipe for this week is Corned Beef with Vegetables in a crock-pot. Enjoy and “Ni he la na gaofar la na scoilb.” (That’s Irish for “Don’t make hay on a windy day!”)

Crock-pot Corned Beef and Vegetables

One corned beef brisket with seasoning packet

6 red potatoes, scrubbed and quartered

4 carrots, cut into bite-size pieces

Freshly ground black pepper

1 head cabbage, quartered

Place potatoes and carrots on bottom of slow-cooker. Place brisket on top, and sprinkle all with seasoning packet. Season with black pepper. Add about four cups of water. Cook on high setting four to six hours, or until brisket is tender.

Remove brisket and set aside. Place vegetables and cooking broth in Dutch oven. Bring to boil, and then add cabbage. Turn heat down and allow to cook until cabbage is tender. Place vegetables in serving bowl. Slice brisket on cross grain to serve.

Kay Bona is a staff writer for the Hamilton County Herald and an award-winning columnist and photographer. Contact her at kay@dailydata.com.