There's Actually A Trick To Making Lemon Water — Seriously

By now, hot water with lemon has made it's way into the daily lives of best-self seekers looking to rid their bodies of the daily build up of toxins that comes with living in today's world. It's also become a popular healthy habit for those dedicated to making their digestive system function smoothly and at full steam. Charlotte's Book nutritionist Keri Gassman says, “a single glass of hot lemon water before breakfast can not only help you stay hydrated, but may also improve digestion and regulate an overactive appetite.” No wonder she starts her day with hot water with lemon. Charlotte's Book nutritionist Dana James has also touted the natural cleansing properties of lemon water. “It increases detoxification because the bitterness of the lemon activates the bile flow, which helps emulsify and remove fat soluble toxins.”

But There's A Trick...

There's one often-overlooked step on how to make lemon water that provides you with maximum health benefits: you need to add lemon zest. "The lemon skin contains the flavonoid limonins, and that's where the detox properties come from," Dana explains. So the next time you whip up a hot cup of citrus, make sure you grate at least a half teaspoon of lemon zest into the water, along with squeezing a few lemon wedges in to the tincture.  This way, you'll reap all of it's health benefits and make sure every lip-puckering sip is worth your while.

Originally published February 20, 2015

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