So What Exactly Is The Big Deal With Drinking Lemon Water?

First of all Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C and the citric acid in lemons helps the enzymes in your body function, which in turn will stimulate the liver and help it detox. Lemons also contain vitamins A and B5, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron just to name a few!

Starting every morning with a glass of warm lemon water is actually a ritual in some traditions to stimulate digestion for the day and clear the body of any toxins that may have settled in the digestive system while we sleep.

In the morning we tend to reach for warm drinks like coffee and tea, try starting your day with warm lemon water first to kick-start your digestion I prefer mine cooler and that is fine it will still work but more important, make sure the water is purified. I recommend half a fresh lemon per large glass of water. Fresh lemons take plain old water up a notch and actually help most people drink more water throughout the day!

Here a few of the top benefits of drinking lemon water:

Lemons are high in antioxidant Vitamin C and potassium, Vitamin C is known for its role in a healthy immune system, which may reduce the risk of respiratory infection. Potassium is great for brain and nerve function as well as controlling blood pressure.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons has anti-inflammatory properties and enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in immune function, the ascorbic acid found in lemons can also help wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones and connective tissue.

Citrus flavonols in lemons are used as an aid in digestion to stimulate and help purify the liver; lemon juice is used traditionally to support digestive hydrochloric acid in the stomach to further aid digestion.

Vitamin C and other antioxidants that are found in lemons also combat free radical damage caused by UV exposure and environmental toxins that are responsible for the many signs of aging. Lemon water purges toxins for the blood and helps keep skin clear.

While the tartness of a lemon may make them seem acidic, lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Because lemons contain citric and ascorbic acid, they actually help to alkalize the blood. And this is key to good health, It has also been shown that people with a higher alkaline diet lose weight faster and lemons are also high in pectin fiber, pectin fiber helps fight hunger cravings which aids in weight loss, Starting the day off with a glass of lemon water can put you on track to start the day off on a healthier path!

The other added benefit to lemon water is that the scent is refreshing and energizing, so drink up and watch the benefits begin!

© Copyright 2013 Gina Mastrogiovanni

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Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the personal care of a doctor. Please remember to always consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new fitness or dietary program.

What exactly is Carrageenan?

Carrageenan is a heavily discussed ingredient in the holistic and alternative medicine world, it is considered to be an indigestible polysaccharide that is derived from red seaweed, which is processed to stabilize and thicken ingredients while preventing separation of the product, the problem is it is being linked to inflammation, stomach irritation, and even cancer and has been studied and found to be a cause of tumors.

I have done extensive reading and studies on this ingredient due to a family member having cancer, it is an ingredient in many so called "natural" products but the problem is red seaweed is natural what they do to it is not! 

Please read the ingredients in what you buy, I found Carrageenan in soy milk, almond milk, yogurt and even dried products such as hot cocoa, just to name a few and every one of these products were listed as All Natural! 

One of my family members had lung cancer and of course being a health coach I wanted to help her to eat healthy and naturally through the treatment and recovery process to help her develop good eating habits to follow after she was finished. I assessed her dietary habits and discovered that she had a bowl of ice cream every night for years, in my research of her food intake and health profile I discovered that carrageenan is in almost every ice cream product I found. There is much more that needs to be researched on this ingredient but I feel it is best for people to stay away from this additive if they can until there is more research completed.

The following is a great article, courtesy of Prevention Magazine to give you more information too!

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/carrageenan-natural-ingredient-you-should-ban-your-diet

© Copyright 2013 Gina Mastrogiovanni

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the personal care of a doctor. Please remember to always consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new fitness or dietary program.