Did you know that a glass of lemon salt water first thing in the morning could seriously boost your hydration? It’s a well-known fact that drinking plenty of water is important for overall health.
Many people grew up hearing the adage to drink eight glasses of water per day. But it is actually more advisable to drink roughly half your body weight in ounces of water.
In general, my water intake has always been pretty good. As a former competitive tennis player, I drank plenty of water before, during, and after workouts, sometimes supplementing with an electrolyte tablet or a sports drink on a very hot day. But on a day-to-day basis, I didn’t really feel that anything additional was needed to boost hydration.
Until recently, I only incorporated lemon into my first glass of water and then drank plain water throughout the day. But I’ve discovered that adding a pinch of salt to that first glass of lemon water could have some beneficial health impacts.
What Kind Of Salt Is Best?
Himalayan salt or sea salt are the best options because they are higher quality and less processed than traditional table salt.
- Himalayan salt is mined from the Salt Range Mountains in Pakistan. It is a mineral salt mostly made up of sodium chloride (just like table salt). But it also contains trace minerals, including potassium & magnesium (up to 84 minerals in total!), which often give it a pretty pink hue.
- Sea salt, on the other hand, is produced by the evaporation of ocean or saltwater lake water. High quality sea salt is produced around the world, so the “best” is a matter of preference. But Fleur de Sel, from the coast of the Brittany region of France, is considered by many to be very special.
Why Start The Day With Lemon Water?
Lemons have many health benefits, including being rich in the antioxidants Vitamin C and flavonoids.
Drinking a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning can help with hydration and possibly digestion. Lemon water also smells and tastes delicious. The bright citrusy fragrance is something I always look forward to when I come downstairs in the morning.
Why Drink Lemon Salt Water?
Adding a pinch of Himalayan or sea salt with a squeeze of lemon creates an electrolyte & vitamin C rich thirst quencher.
Once metabolized, lemon salt water can also have an alkalizing effect on the body.
Keep in mind that you don’t water to overdo it with your overall sodium intake, so if you already consume a diet that is high in sodium or need to stick to a low sodium diet due to health concerns, then you may not want to or be able to incorporate lemon salt water into your day.
I prefer my first glass of water in the morning to be warm, so I’ll usually mix some cold filtered water with boiled water and then add a pinch of salt to the glass along with half of a lemon.
It’s warm and comforting, and really helps me to start the day off on the right foot. If you’re already incorporating this healthy ritual into your day, cheers to good hydration! If not, I hope you will consider starting your day with a glass of lemon salt water.
