By Amy Goodrich │Natural News│3 min

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(NaturalNews) Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Beyonce swear by drinking lukewarm lemon water first thing in the morning. In recent years, lemon water has become a fashionably healthy lifestyle choice, fitting right in between a morning meditation session and a green smoothie for breakfast.

This simple morning habit is making news all over the internet. However, is it as effective as they say it is, or is this just another dietary fad?

Here are 10 important reasons why you too should consider starting your day with lukewarm lemon water.

1. Improves digestion

Lemon water first thing in the morning kick-starts your digestion. The citrus flavonoids stimulate stomach juices and help break down food. It has been shown to ease indigestion, heartburn and bloating. Lemon water also improves bowel movements, hydrates the colon and stimulates bile production.

2. Boosts the immune system

Lemons contain high levels of vitamin C and iron to boost the immune system and protect the body against infections and diseases. Lemons also assist with the absorption of iron from the foods we eat.

3. Cleanses and detoxes the body

Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body for filtering and eliminating toxins and waste materials. Lemon water stimulates the liver to produce more enzymes and enhances its ability to filter out unwanted toxins. Furthermore, lemon water has a diuretic effect that keeps the urinary tract free of bacteria and toxin build-ups.

4. Weight loss aid

Lemon water on its own isn’t a fat burning miracle. However, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, lemon’s pectin and polyphenols can help burn fat and reduce appetite to fight cravings and control weight.

5. Alkalizing effect

Don’t let the sour taste of lemons trick you into believing that they have an acidifying effect on the body. In fact, lemons, along with many other fruits and vegetables, are among the most alkaline food sources on our planet. The Standard American Diet is known to produce too much acidic material, which has been linked to inflammation, weakening of the bone and muscle structure, obesity, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Lemons are an excellent way to up your alkalinity and neutralize the acidic effect.

6. Reduces inflammation

Uric acid build-ups are one of the primary culprits of chronic inflammation. Lemon juice stimulates the production of calcium carbonate to remove uric acid from the joints, and has been shown to be beneficial in helping people with gout.

7. Freshens breath

Starting the day with lemon water freshens the breath and helps to kill harmful mouth bacteria.

8. Anti-aging tonic

Both drinking and topical use of lemon water have been shown to slow down the aging process of the skin. Lemons are loaded with antioxidants that eliminate skin-damaging free radicals. In addition, these antioxidants prevent the breakdown of collagen fibers, which give the skin its strength, structure and youthful appearance.

9. Fights cancer

Lemons are packed with antioxidants that not only protect your skin from aging, but fight cancer-causing free radicals, too.

10. Boosts brain power

Potassium and magnesium play an important role in your brain and nerve health. Lemon water gives you a boost, and may help fight feelings of depression and stress. It also creates mental clarity and improves focus, making it a great drink with which to start your day.

You may have heard the saying that even the smallest change in your daily routine can have a significant impact on your health, and when it comes to lemon water, the benefits seem to be endless.

A word of caution, though: Avoid drinking undiluted lemon juice, and rinse your mouth with plain water after your drink, as the citric acid may erode tooth enamel.

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