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Lemon Water vs. Cucumber Water (Which is Healthier?)

We are all more conscious about our health these days, and with this in mind, we have turned to a variety of health products. This includes various health drinks that claim to benefit us in a variety of ways. However, there are health drinks that you can create with speed and ease at minimal cost.

This includes lemon water and cucumber water, both of which offer a range of benefits. Of course, we know that drinking water is important because of the various health benefits it provides. (1) Adding the juice of lemons or cucumber can help to prove additional benefits. So, which is the better choice in terms of health?

Both of these drinks are very simple to make, cost effective, and can provide various health benefits. You can drink them at any time of the day and you won’t have to worry about refined sugar or excess calories.

This is why natural solutions such as these detox waters have become popular amongst those looking to boost their health. They do have some marked differences, which will be discussed below.

5 Benefits of Lemon Water

Lemon water is extremely simple to make, as it is just a combination of water and the juice from fresh lemons.
The amount of lemon juice you add is based solely on your own personal preference. It can be made using warm or cold water and has become a popular morning drink to help revitalize and energize.

1. Lemon Water Promotes Weight Loss

Studies have shown that lemon water could aid the weight loss process by reducing insulin resistance and body fat in certain individuals. This is because of the polyphenols in lemons, which are thought to suppress the appetite and prevent weight gain. (2)

Drinking lemon water rather than standard fruit juice in the mornings will also help you to reduce your calorie intake since a glass of water with the juice of half a lemon only has around 9 calories. Compare that to typical breakfast smoothies that contain more than 20 grams of refined sugar per serving.

With more and more people trying to get into shape and reach a healthy weight, it’s important to find plant-based alternatives that could serve as long-term solutions to combat the development of disease.

2. Lemon Water Promotes Healthy Digestion

Some people struggle to digest their food properly, which can result in a lot of discomfort. The good news is that the citrus and acid in lemon juice can help to break down food and improve the digestive process.

The most effective means of aiding your digestion with lemon water is to use warm water rather than cold water. Studies have shown that gastric and digestive problems may occur more often as we get older so drinking lemon water for its digestive benefits can be particularly good for alleviating stomach discomfort. (3)

3. Lemon Water is a Good Source of Vitamin C

Most people know that getting a variety of minerals and vitamins from food is important for good health. One vital vitamin that can provide us with a range of health benefits is vitamin C.

Many people take vitamin C supplements in order to prevent colds or flu. The jury is still out with regards to whether this antioxidant can help to prevent colds altogether but some evidence suggests that is can speed up recovery and reduce the duration of a cold from the onset. (4)

The vitamin C from lemon water is also able to protect cells from harmful free radicals, which in turn is thought to help protect against serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

4. Lemon Water Promotes Younger-Looking Skin

Another key function of antioxidants in the body is healing of existing damage, which can be apparent on the inside as well as the outside. If you have signs of inflammation such as psoriasis, rosacea, or eczema, you may benefit from supplementing your diet with lemon water.

In addition to healing, lemon water also helps purge toxins from the body, resulting in clearer, brighter looking skin. This is especially helpful for mature skin, or as the early signs of skin aging begin to show.

The antioxidants in lemon juice may also protect the skin against damage from sun exposure, boost collagen production, and help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles by promoting cell turnover. (5)

5. Lemon Water Boosts Energy Levels

If you find yourself dragging yourself out of bed in the morning, a glass of fresh lemon water may be just what you need to kickstart your metabolism. This is because lemon water is able to provide you with a valuable energy boost, making it the perfect morning drink instead of juice or coffee.

Stimulants such as coffee and tea stimulate the release of adrenaline, which cause a quick surge of energy. However, after a while, you may notice a subsequent crash or dip in energy. To avoid this, opt for plant-based or natural alternatives such as lemon water for more stable energy levels.

Rich in polyphenols, lemon juice can do everything from boosting immune function, to increasing energy levels.

How to Make Lemon Water

As mentioned previously, lemon water can be consumed either warm or cold depending on your preference. Organic lemons are best, especially if you will be using the peel.

• Wash your organic lemons and remove any stickers that are on it
• Slice the lemon into two halves
• Use a juicer to extract the juice from one half of the lemon or remove the seeds and squeeze directly into the glass with your hands OR
• Slice thinly, squeeze, and soak the leftover peels in the lemon juice
• Add warm or cold water as required. For warm water, you can use part boiling water from the kettle topped with cold water from the tap or you can try and get warm water directly from the tap

5 Benefits of Cucumber Water

Cucumbers are great as part of a healthy diet and can add texture and taste to dishes such as summer salads.

They are also used for other health purposes – for instance, many people use cucumber slices on their eyes to help reduce circles and puffiness. When you drink cucumber water as part of your diet, you can look forward to a range of surprising benefits including:

1. Cucumber Water is a Good Source of Antioxidants

It is recommended by experts that people eat plenty of fruit and vegetables with high antioxidant levels. This includes cucumber, which is a rich source of antioxidants.

Antioxidants prevent DNA damage, inflammation, and cell death by scavenging free radicals from the body. They can therefore also protect against the onset of various conditions including heart disease, diabetes,
and cancer amongst others.Studies have also suggested that the fisetin found in cucumbers could help to treat and even prevent prostate cancer. (6)

In addition, this can help you to achieve smoother and younger-looking skin by protecting it from damage caused by these free radicals.

2. Cucumber Water is a Good Source of Vitamin K

When you drink cucumber water, you can also benefit from an increased intake of vitamin K. Cucumbers are rich in this particular vitamin and increasing your intake can result in a number of valuable health benefits.

Vitamin K helps the body to create proteins that are necessary for blood clotting, as well as preventing heart disease, building strong bones, and optimizing insulin levels.

3. Cucumber Water Helps to Reduce Blood Pressure Levels

High blood pressure can lead to a wide variety of health risks and problems. It is therefore important to take steps to help reduce your blood pressure if you suffer from hypertension.

One of the things that can increase your blood pressure is having too much sodium in your diet but not enough potassium. Cucumbers are a good source of potassium, which is essential in maintaining electrolyte balance for overall health.

By drinking water, you can increase your potassium intake without consuming a large amount of calories, both of which can help with weight management and preventing obesity.

4. Cucumber Water Helps Strengthen Your Muscles

Another benefit of drinking cucumber water is that it can help to strengthen your muscles and to keep them healthy. This is the result of the silica in cucumbers. Silica effectively keeps your muscles healthy and strong.

Cucumber water is therefore an excellent option for those who are looking to build up strength and perform well in their respective sports. Athletes who consume sports drinks should look into other carbohydrate-rich beverages that provide essential nutrients as an alternative to sports drinks that are deficient in good carbohydrates and minerals.

5. Cucumber Water Alleviates Bloating and Water Retention

Bloating and water retention are common, day-to-day occurrences for many of us. However, there are instances where water retention could be extremely uncomfortable and end up affecting one’s quality of life.

If bloating is something that affects you, drinking cucumber water could be part of the solution. As a natural diuretic, it can help to remove excess water and potentially harmful toxins from your body. (7) This is done by encouraging the kidneys to produce more urine. The effects of cucumber water on levels of water retention in the body can help to ensure you look and feel better without having to resort to loop diuretics or similar compounds.

How to Make Cucumber Water

Drinking cucumber water is a great way to boost your intake of various valuable vitamins and minerals, and is an excellent alternative to high calorie beverages.

Cucumber water is very quick and easy to make. It will provide you with a refreshing, healthy, low calorie beverage that tastes great and works wonders for your health.

• Take a medium sized organic cucumber and wash it thoroughly
• Peel the cucumber
• Slice the cucumber in half and slice thinly
• Add the cucumber slices to a pitcher of cold water
• Gently stir and allow the cucumber slices to soak for 4-6 hours before drinking

Which is Better?

As you can see, both lemon water and cucumber water offer a wide range of health benefits. Both are low in calories, healthy, all natural, inexpensive, and easy to make.

In order to determine which one is best for you, there are a few things you need to consider. The first is your personal taste – lemon water is a lot zestier than cucumber water, and the taste can be less than appealing to some. It is also worth noting that lemon water can be a lot harsher on the teeth when consumed in large quantities. Cucumber water has a milder flavor, but it cannot be taken warm as the warm temperature may soften or cook the cucumber.

The Verdict

If you have problems with your teeth or gums, steer clear of lemon water as the acidity may worsen your conditions. On the other hand, cucumber water is a milder alternative, but it is also limited in that it cannot be taken warm. Whichever you decide, make sure that it is line with your goals as both have their place in living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.