Lemon water can not only be a refreshing thirst quencher - it is also said to help improve our health. This is what a well-known doctor claims.
Frankfurt – Home remedies are often underestimated. In some cases they can work real miracles. According to the doctor and author Dietrich Grönemeyer, brother of musician Herbert Grönemeyer, a simple and inexpensive drink helps protect against exhaustion, vascular damage and heart attacks: lemon water. In an article for
Focus
, the doctor recommends drinking a glass of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon in the morning.
A glass of lemon water before breakfast can improve health
Although the lemon is acidic, according to the expert it works against hyperacidity in the body, as he explains at
Focus
. Acidification occurs due to excessive consumption of meat, alcohol or sugar, and according to the doctor, these harmful substances have various side effects “that destroy the joint cartilage, make the intervertebral discs brittle, and cause the skin to age quickly.” Therefore, you should add some lemon to the water and Drink a glass before breakfast - or before any other meal. “Then you don’t eat as much.” That’s why lemon water can also help you lose weight.
Additionally, the fruit is rich in vitamin C. “Vitamin C helps fight colds [and] prevent cancer,” Grönemeyer added in his article. The vitamin also calms the walls of the arteries, which in turn prevents vascular calcification. Ultimately, this means a lower risk of suffering a heart attack, according to the doctor. Because diet has a decisive influence on the heart. But as with everything, lemon water should be enjoyed in moderation. Experts warn that the acid in the fruit can attack tooth enamel.
Drinking lemon water can reduce insulin resistance
Grönemeyer is not the only one who praises the lemon. Numerous studies point to positive health effects: According to a Korean study, lemon juice in a diet helped reduce participants' body fat, insulin resistance and the risk of cardiovascular disease. In another study, lemon juice found a significant decrease in uric acid levels - which helps against urinary stones, for example.
However, there is no panacea for good health. A combination of different factors is crucial. Experts recommend a balanced diet, physical activity, little stress and enough sleep. Social aspects should not be ignored either. Positive relationships make us happier, healthier and allow us to live longer, according to the longest study on “happiness in the world” - conducted by the renowned Harvard University.
A look at the so-called “blue zones” provides similar insights. The “Blue Zones” are those areas of the world where people live longer than average. Among other factors, social cohesion, community and care appear to be key to a long and healthy life. But a glass of lemon water every morning for breakfast certainly can't hurt.