Lemon trees and lemons have been in existence since ancient Rome. However, the fruit was initially only used as decoration until physicians discovered that the rich vitamin C content cured scurvy in the 15th century. Today, lemons are commonly used in beverages, foods and as household cleaners. The vitamin and acid content also make the fruit prized for its body cleansing and detoxification abilities.
Digestion Detox
Lemon juice is similar in chemical structure to the acid found in the stomach. When consumed, lemon juice triggers the liver to produce bile, which aids in processing food through the gastrointestinal system. Lemon juice additionally slows the absorption process of foods, thus causing more effective nutrient absorption. Having mild diuretic properties enhances fluid elimination through the kidneys and bladder, which enables the body to evacuate toxins more rapidly.
Weight Loss Aid
Routinely sipping lemonade helps weight loss efforts. The pectin fibers contained in lemons creates the sensation of fullness. Without hunger pangs, you eat fewer calories. Mild dehydration can cause generalized fatigue, headaches and mood changes. Body systems starting at the cellular level cease to function properly and cannot eliminate wastes. Lemonade helps the body stay hydrated while preventing electrolyte imbalances and waste build-up.
Rejuvenates Skin
When applied to the skin's surface, lemon water cleanses, tones and acts as a natural astringent to reduce pores. When taken internally, the vitamin C in lemons serve as an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage while assisting in the collagen making process. According to an article published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” regular consumption of the essential vitamin keeps skin looking younger longer and slows wrinkle formation.
Extreme Lemonade Detox Cleanse
The lemonade diet was first introduced in 1940 and created by an alternative-health practitioner named Stanley Burroughs. Burroughs also authored a book entitled “ The Master Cleanser,” which promoted the diet as an aid to weight loss in addition to supposedly treating many different health disorders. Depending on the amount of lemonade consumed daily, dieters get anywhere from 650 to 1,300 calories and may lose three or more pounds per week.
Though not typically recommended by health care professionals, a number of celebrities used the fasting detox recipe for up to 10 days to hasten weight loss while achieving a total body cleanse. The regimen requires participants to drink a laxative herbal tea day and night. Participants then drink six to 12 glasses of the lemonade throughout each day. Plain water intake is unrestricted. However, the extreme cleanse prohibits any other types of beverages or foods. The detox recipe for one glass includes:
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of real maple syrup
• 8 to 10 ounces of water
• 1 to 3 dashes of cayenne or red pepper (optional)
