When you think of lemons, you may think of lemonade, lemon meringue pie, or even the color Lemon. Eating foods made with this tart fruit can be beneficial to your health. Drinking its juice can be even better for you. Read this informative article and find out 5 health problems you can treat with lemon juice.
1. Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when urine contains too many salts and not enough substances, such as citrate, to prevent them. Lemon juice contains citrate. That’s why it can be used as a treatment. According to Dr. Marshall L. Stoller, Vice Chairman, Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, mix ½ cup of concentrated lemon juice with 7 cups water. You may sweeten it with a sugar substitute. Drink this every day. In addition, lower your salt intake, eat smaller portions of meat and fish, and drink enough fluids so you pass between 1.5 – 2 liters of urine daily.
2. Arthritis
When there’s too much uric acid in your body, urate crystals form. These get deposited in your tissues and in your joints. Urate crystals in your joints cause arthritis. To help dissolve the uric acid and relieve the pain, stiffness and inflammation of arthritis, lemon juice can be a helpful treatment. Squeeze the juice of a half of a lemon into a small glass of water. Drink this before breakfast. Drink another glass of diluted lemon juice before lunch, dinner, and before retiring for the night.
3. Constipation
Constipation causes bowel movements to be difficult and less frequent. It can be caused by a number of factors including not drinking enough water, not eating enough fiber, eating too many dairy products, and taking iron supplements. To treat constipation with lemon juice, mix a teaspoon in 8-ounces of warm water. Stir in a teaspoon of honey. Drink this every day.
4. Stomach Problems
You’ve just eaten a big meal and now your stomach is upset. You may even experience heartburn, burping and bloating. To feel better fast, you need to take something that will aid in proper digestion. The acids in lemon juice can help your stomach feel better. Mix up the juice of half a lemon and a ½ teaspoon of soda bicarbonate in a glass of water; drink it.
5. Sore Throats
The citric acid in lemon juice, plus the Vitamin C, gives it antibacterial properties. Lemon juice also strengthens your immune system. The next time your throat feels scratchy, treat it immediately to find relief and help ward off viruses. Squeeze the juice of a lemon in a cup. Fill the cup with warm water and stir well. Gargle with this diluted lemon juice several times during the day.
Warning-
If you’re concerned about lemon juice softening and damaging the enamel on your teeth, rinse your mouth out with plain water after each use. Wait 30 minutes, then brush your teeth.
Resources
http://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/news/20060524/lemonade-helps-kidney-stones
http://lindawagner.net/blog/2011/05/health-benefits-of-lemon-water/
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