Forget the saying ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. Warm lemon water made with fresh slices of this vitamin-rich fruit does away with unhealthy sugar and provides multiple health benefits.

Here are ten reasons you should add a warm mug of lemon water to your morning routine:

1. Lemons are rich in Vitamin C

Like other citrus fruits, lemons are high in ascorbic acid or Vitamin C. This essential nutrient helps to fight infections, inhibits the development of colds, and assists cholesterol regulation.

2. Your liver will love you

According to researchers, the human liver is able to make a large amount of enzymes out of fresh lemon juice. Drinking a mug of hot lemon water in the morning will assist your body in ridding itself of toxins.

3. Hot lemon water stimulates digestion

‘More fibre’ is the usual nutrition mantra where digestion is concerned. Yet hot lemon water also hydrates you on top of stimulating your digestive system.

4. Lemon water can replace caffeine for better hydration

Apart from the addictiveness of caffeine and the restlessness it may cause, it also acts as a mild diuretic. If you want to stay well-hydrated throughout the day, sipping hot lemon water is a better option.

5. Lemon water alkalizes the body 

This might come as a surprise, given the acidic taste of the citric acid in lemon, yet drinking hot lemon water actually has an acid-neutralizing effect. A build-up of acid can cause uncomfortable conditions such as acid reflux. Drink hot lemon water regularly to help your system stay within the ideal pH range.

6. Lemons’ antioxidants help skin stay clearer 

Lemons are rich in antioxidants that provide nourishment from within for your skin. Pair this with the healthy effect good hydration has on the skin and drinking hot lemon water each morning becomes a great natural beauty boost.

7. Regular hot lemon water consumption may relieve joint pain 

Due to the alkalizing effect of lemon on the body’s pH levels, regularly drinking hot lemon water can help reduce joint pain. This is because uric acid found in the joints is one of the main causes of inflammation.

8. Drinking lemon water is thought to support weight loss

Not everyone in the medical community is agreed on whether or not hot lemon water is effective as a weight loss stimulant in itself. Even so, replacing sugary, milky morning drinks with hot lemon water will cut calories out of your daily routine and these add up.

Do you drink hot lemon water? What particular benefits have you found?