Lemon Water: Start Your Day off With a Nutritional Boost

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing you go to as you start off your day? A cup of coffee? A glass of water? Breakfast? If your answer was a glass of water, good job! You’re off to a great start, because early in the mornings is one of the most important times to rehydrate our bodies. But did you know that you can make that same glass of water do so much more for you by simply adding a little lemon juice?

According to registered dietician Julia Zumpano, drinking lemon water is great for you at any point in the day, but the benefits are especially good in the morning. This is because it:

• Rehydrates your body.
• Gives a vitamin C kick right off the bat.
• Provides a digestion boost because of the acidic properties – Even more effective on an empty stomach.
• helps prevent kidney stones.
• Gives an antioxidant boost.

On top of all that, 48 grams of lemon juice, which is approximately the juice from a whole lemon only has 11 calories, while giving you 18.6 milligrams of vitamin C, which is 21% if your recommended daily value.

So, consider switching up your morning to routine to include lemon water. We grow lots of lemons here in our state, which is why citrus is one of the 5 C’s of Arizona!

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!