Staying hydrated is an important part of maintaining a healthy body, but it can be really difficult to drink enough water every day. Adding lemon or other fruit to water can be an easy way to make your water a bit more enjoyable. Lemon or other fruit infused water can add a touch of class to your dinner party as well. Follow the steps below to learn lemon water recipe.
How to Make Lemon Water
Ingredients
- 1/2 a lemon
- 2/3 cup warm water
There are a few ways to get warm water. You can mix cold water with water from the kettle. Another option is to let hot water cool down before using it. If you can, try and get warm water right from the tap, though purified water is better.
Instructions
Squeeze the lemon out into a glass, getting rid of seeds as necessary. A lemon juicer is really handy here as a nice one will catch the seeds for you. Add the water and stir. Drink when the water is still warm.
Adding Variety
- Other Fruits
Other fruits can be added along with the lemon or in place of them. Follow the same steps for how to make lemon water, but using another fruit. Berries are a great way to add some color and flavor to your water without upping the calorie content. Wash the fruit, peel and cut it if necessary before adding it to the water. Strawberries are a great addition because they not only taste good, but also contain blood pressure lowering potassium.
- Mint
Add mint to your lemon water to add sweetness without sugar. Cut the mint into thin ribbons before adding it to the water for maximum flavor. Mint can be found in the grocery store and is also quite easy to grow yourself.
- Use Sparkling Water
Follow the instruction and add a little bit of sparkling water for a bubbly treat. Keep sparkling water chilled in an unopened bottle for the most bubbles. Using club soda or other carbonated water for the sensation of a soda without the calories or sugar. Make sure to check out the label of your sparkling water to make sure you’re not unconsciously adding calories to your healthy drink.
Is It Best to Drink Lemon Water Hot or Cold?
Neither! Lemon water should be enjoyed warm.
Room Temperature or Warm: Yes
Warm or room temperature water will give you the most health benefits because it allows for all of the enzymatic and energizing properties of the lemon. If you need a warm drink in the morning, warm lemon water is the perfect choice for you.
Boiling Hot: No
While it may be soothing to drink lemon water hot, especially in the winter time, it destroys some of the enzymatic properties of the lemon juice, cutting back on the health benefits of the drink.
Ice Cold: No
Don’t drink cold lemon water whenever possible. The temperature negates some of the healthy digestive benefits of the lemon, making it a less effective drink. While it is true that drinking cold water is good for burning calories, this doesn’t greatly benefit you if you’re trying to get the healthy properties of the lemon. That’s why the how to make lemon water instructions call for warm water. It makes a big difference.
Healthy Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
- Get Rid of Toxins and Waste: Part of the liver’s job is to detoxify the body as well as protein synthesis and bio chemical production to aid digestion. Lemon water helps the liver to increase its detoxifying enzymes and helps it to do its job more effectively.
- It’s Alkaline: The body works better in a more alkaline state. Cancer cells tend to grow more in acidic bodies. Because of the foods we eat and the things we expose our skin to many people’s bodies are quite acidic. Lemon helps to alkalize the body and blood, despite being an acidic fruit.
- It’s Packed with Vitamins and Minerals: Lemons are rich in vitamin C which has antioxidant, antibacterial, and immune boosting properties, vitamin B which aids in energy production, riboflavin which helps with tissue repair and growth, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus which are good for building strong bones and teeth.
- Great for the Skin: Lemon water can fight signs of aging by helping to remove wrinkles and improve the overall look of your skin. This is partly because the toxins in your body affect the look of your skin and lemon water helps to get rid of those.
- Boosts Weight Loss: Lemon water can help the body burn fat faster. This is part of the liver’s job and lemon water makes that job a little easier for it.
Check out this video to learn more about the benefits and learn how to make lemon water.