Malaysians are the Olympians of life hacking – a slightly dubious distinction we should nevertheless carry with flag-waving, chest-bursting pride. Our fixation with finding shortcuts or easy alternatives to doing practically anything has led to the improvisation and unintentional discovery of a giant yawn of innovative lifestyle techniques that range from the shifty-but-nifty, to the truly epic. As the old, puckered-up cliché goes: ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’ (or in our case, when we’re given Lemang, we make Rendang, Chicken Curry and Satay).
But speaking literally of lemons: it’s time Malaysians knew that drinking lemon water (plain water with a twist of lemon) is highly beneficial to our health, letting us kill numerous birds with one (stone-hard) lemon. It’s a simple routine to slip into: just squeeze the juice of half (or a quarter of) a lemon into your glass of sky juice, and chug it down. (If you’ve always found plain water to be a deadly bore, the tang of lemon will certainly sex the beverage up). Here are the reasons lemon water should be your new BFF beverage:
Constipation cessation
If you’re having trouble pooping, warm water and lemon might be just the thing to help you go. Taking in plenty of water is helpful for constipation in general, and the citrus can give some help to get things moving inside.
Death to bad breath!
Of course, there’s no way to avoid morning breath, but drinking lemon water can combat the bacteria in the mouth, and therefore, lessen the potential for bad breath. Be careful, though – lemons can also erode the enamel on your teeth, so it’s a good idea to rinse with plain water after your glass.
Skin-sational!
Thanks to all the vitamin C within lemons, your skin reaps the benefits of you drinking the fruit as well. Vitamin C assists in the production of collagen, so having more in your diet can prevent wrinkles from forming. And of course, drinking lots of water is great for skin in general.
Whip your immune system into shape
There’s a reason you’re always drawn to oranges when you’re sick – once again, the power of vitamin C at play. Consuming the vitamin daily (via lemon water) can help keep you healthy and stave off infection.
Ache-nihilate aches and pains
Lemon water can help reduce uric acid in our joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation, especially as related to arthritis.
Phlegm flame-out
It’s a sad fact of our humid, tropical climate existence – phlegm happens, especially in the morning, but lemon juice can help.
Train the brain
Lemon may be known best for its vitamin C, but it also contains potassium, which helps with brain and nerve function. So for a quick natural way to feel more alert, lemon water is a great bet.
Deliver the liver from toxins
The liver can make more enzymes out of lemon juice than any other food, and this can help give your organ a boost.
Bye, bye, UTI!
If you’re suffering from urinary tract infection (UTI) or want a way to prevent them, lemon water can help. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which causes an alkalizing reaction on the digestive system, which helps reduce inflammation. Plus, it has astringent, antiseptic, decongestant and anti-microbial properties, so bacteria won’t want to stick around for long.
* Based on an article published in the world’s first meat-free lifestyle platform, KindMeal.my.