Lemon-Water Encourages Hydration

As summer heats ups, many elderly people are not drinking enough to stay properly hydrated and this puts them at risk for heat-related illness.  To encourage drinking more water, try filling a pitcher with filtered water and adding the juice of half a lemon.  Drinking your eight glasses of water a day is more appealing if you add a few slices of well-washed lemons which not only look inviting but also smells and tastes better than plain water.

By making up a pitcher a day, older adults can not only hydrate but also reap many other health benefits from lemon-water.  According to a report in the Huffington Post Canada, the water should be kept at room temperature so as not to “shock” the system.

Health Benefits of Lemon-Water

• Lemon water can change the pH of the urinary tract to prevent bacteria from causing an infection. The citrate in lemons is thought to help prevent kidney stones.
• Lemon water can lessen bad breath but the acid can be hard on tooth enamel so a rinse with plain water is a good idea.  Don’t brush teeth immediately after drinking lemon water, it can damage the enamel.
• Drinking plenty of water helps relieve constipation.
• Some claim lemon-water is good for weight loss; it is not proven but drinking water is certainly better that many other alternatives such as pop or juice which may be very high in sugar.
• The Vitamin C in lemons is great for your immune system and has been linked to collagen production.  At the very least, good hydration makes for healthier skin.

If damage to tooth enamel is a concern, adding slices of cucumber, fresh berries or sprigs of mint or basil are good alternatives to liven up your water and encourage drinking more in the summer months.  Be sure to wash fruits or vegetables thoroughly before adding them to water.