11 Benefits of lemon or lime water

Why lemons?

Lemons are packed like a clown car with nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. (Fun fact: they contain more potassium than apples or grapes!)

Because of how hard lemon juice can be on the enamel of your teeth, it’s important to dilute it with water of any temperature (though lukewarm is recommended). Drink it first thing in the morning, and wait 15 to 30 minutes to have breakfast. This will help you fully receive the benefits of lemon water, which are listed below.

11 Benefits of Lemon Water

1. Gives your immune system a boost.

Vitamin C is like our immune system’s jumper cables, and lemon juice is full of it. The level of vitamin C in your system is one of the first things to plummet when you’re stressed, which is why experts recommended popping extra vitamin C during especially stressful days.

2. Excellent source of potassium.

As already mentioned, lemons are high in potassium, which is good for heart health, as well as brain and nerve function.

3. Aids digestion.

Lemon juice not only encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract, it helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping, and bloating.

4. Cleanses your system.

It helps flush out the toxins in your body by enhancing enzyme function, stimulating your liver.

5. Freshens your breath.

It also helps relieve toothaches and gingivitis (say wha?). Because the citric acid can erode tooth enamel, either hold off on brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water or brush your teeth before drinking it.

Weight management

Anyone who has lost, gained and lost weight as many times as I have will testify that maintaining a certain weight is just as hard as losing weight.

In 2009 I was a small size 12 by the end of 2010 I was a big 14. Since then I've been a 12 and a 14 again. It not that I don't have control; the problem is Nigerian food is soooooooo goood and I am a big foodie. Since I moved to Lagos away from my well planned workout regimen in Abuja, I've put on a few and in not so faltering areas, eeekkk..... But with diligence and research I am now seeing some weight loss.

I have stopped eating rice, wheat and flour; anything made from them is a no no. My body agrees with yam and sweet potatoes and digests them well. I eat beans but in small quantities. I seldom have plantains or corn. 

Dark greens are supper healthy and thank goodness there are ample foods made from dark greens around.

A very major lesson I've learned is portion control. You know what they say the keys to weight loss are “70% diet and 30% exercises”? Well, I will modify that to 70% of right amount and quality of diet and 30% exercise. What I now do is eat 50% of what I would usually have; then fill up with water. Once I got used to eating less, i began feeling lighter and saw changes in my weight quicker. 

Exercise is still important to speed up weight loss and tone up them muscles. I go for Zumba and Pilates classes close to my office three times a week. Due to logistics and proximity this is what I can do but I should be doing more.  

Maintaining or losing weight shouldn't be seen has this impossible task. Once you make up your mind to make it part of your life style and tackle each step with an open mind it becomes easy in no time.

I don’t starve myself of anything! I know that the content of most cakes will leave me bloated and uncomfortable so I avoid them or have very little (I usually have very little lol)

The most important thing is I am seeing direct results from knowing what foods my body processes better and reducing my food portions.

You should try reduce your portions for a month and see how it goes. 

Soya hmmmmmmm Milk

Last night on my way home after a good two hour workout my body was craving for something sweet and refreshing. I looked in the refrigerator at the gym hoping for a healthy option and there it was a bottle of soya beans milk. I wasn’t a big fan of soya milk till now. Not only did it taste fantastic it felt healthy too.  So I did a little research and found so many interesting and encouraging facts about soya milk and soya beans.

• ·         Soya milk is made from soya beans, also known soy beans. It is a non dairy alternative that is rich in vegetable proteins, essential fatty acids and a variety of minerals and vitamins.

• ·         Being non dairy means we are not ingesting any of the hormones from the dairy cows which may affect our own hormonal balance.

• ·          It is free of saturated fats and cholesterol. Soy milk is advised if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other propensities for heart diseases.

• ·          It’s also great for weight watchers like me as it helps suppress your appetite and promote more efficient metabolism “Studies have shown that regular intake of soy products in addition to routine exercise can lead to reduced body fat and higher percentage of lean muscles”.

• ·         Soya milk is a better option for lactose intolerant people (which a large percentage of people are)

• ·         Soya milk helps slash the fat in the mid section of the body. We all know that fat around the belly happens to be very bad as most of our major organs are in that area

• ·         Soya milk unsweetened does not taste so good but you can control the amount of sweetness by using sweeteners

Also made form soya beans is tofu which is what cheese is to dairy milk. I’ve never had tofu before and I wonder what it tastes like. So tofu soya milk and the beans can be traced way back in the history of Chinese and Japans people, that’s where soy sauce comes from. However the US is the highest producer of the beans (Just a little random FYI). 

Bottled soya milk can be found in most shops and markets; they also come in different flavors. It would be interesting to try a few of those. Look around for a brand with a 60% soya milk composition or more also one that has very little sugar too. I have bought two different brands; I will try both later and give a review later.  I’ve read how to made soya milk at home (http://www.soya.be/how-to-make-soy-milk.php) and I think I will give it a try. I am convinced that soya milk is a healthier option and I think I will give it a try.