There are so many amazing health benefits that come with drinking a mug of warm lemon water every morning on an empty stomach! I also add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for an extra boost. The combination of lemon and cayenne cleanses and detoxes your body in a natural way. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Flushes out toxins when consumed in the morning
2. Balances and maintains the pH of your body
3. Soothes the digestive system, and can relieve indigestion and excess gas
4. Has an alkalizing effect on the body
5. Helps purify the blood
6. Aids in digestion and encourages the production of bile and other digestive juices
7. Liquefies bile and helps regulate excess flow of bile
8. Conditions and cleanses the liver
9. Balances the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver
10. Strengthens the liver by energizing liver enzymes when they are too dilute
11. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, which protects the body against immune system deficiencies
12. Helps prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections and diseases
13. Also a great source of citric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
14. The potassium found in lemons nourishes brain and nerve cells
15. Contains pectin fiber which is a powerful antibacterial, and is beneficial for colon health
16. Helps replenish body salts
17. Helps dissolve dangerous calcium build-ups in the body (i.e. gall bladder stones)
18. Extremely beneficial to the skin and prevents wrinkles and acne
19. Helps maintain eye health
20. Reduces phlegm/mucus produced by the body
21. Reduces pain and inflammation in joints by dissolving uric acid

Here’s how to make it a part of your morning routine:

After you wake up, go to your kitchen and gather the ingredients and materials you need.

• Mug
• Hot filtered water
• Room temperature filtered water
• 1/2 a lemon
• Lemon juicer
• Cayenne pepper (raises the temperature of your body which increases your metabolism)
• Straw
• Dark liquid stevia (optional)

Combine the hot and room temperature filtered water in a mug to achieve warm water. It is very important that the water be warm, not hot. If the water is too hot, it will destroy the beneficial enzymes from the lemon and defeat the purpose of drinking the water! Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lemon into the mug using the lemon juicer, and sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Add 2 drops of dark liquid stevia if you need to make it more palatable. Stir everything together and drink with a straw. Please use a straw to protect the enamel of your teeth!

I must admit, this is not a beverage the Mindful Daddie and I enjoy drinking. The flavor is very tart and can catch you off guard first thing in the morning! If you find yourself second guessing why the heck you are drinking this not-so-tasty beverage, refer to the list above (which is just SOME of the benefits) and take that drink down! Then enjoy the beautiful health that comes your way!

Want more information about the benefits of drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning? Check out this post from Food Babe and this page from Underground Wellness!