Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon-Infused Water

Lemons can do much more than just flavor your water. These little yellow fruits have numerous health benefits. Infusing water with lemon is done by placing sliced lemons into drinking water and allowing the mixture to steep, or sit. Squeezing the lemon to release juice into the water before steeping will help to increase the flavor and healing properties. Lemon-infused water may lower your chances of developing diseases like cancer, slow weight gain and even prevent the common cold. Lemons could keep you out of the doctor's office and feeling better.

pH Regulation

The citric acid found in lemons helps to maintain proper body pH. Every cell in your body is made up of mostly water. If the pH of body fluids is alkaline, or basic, and between 7.35 and 7.45, your body systems run normally. Foods like red meat, dairy products and sugar tend to make your body more acidic. However, the citric acid found in lemons helps to maintain body pH within the ideal range, which is beneficial in preventing cancer, heart disease, fatigue, weight gain and a variety of other health issues.

Kidney Health

The citric acid in lemons helps to keep kidneys healthy. Kidneys are vital to maintaining proper hydration, regulating blood pressure and excreting wastes from the body. If kidney stones are present, the organ is not functioning well. Kidney stones are most often formed when the waste products calcium oxalate and uric acid crystallize. Citric acid found in lemons prevents this crystallization, allowing your body to detoxify and preventing kidney stones.

Vitamin C

Lemons are also high in vitamin C, which means they will improve your immune system. Vitamin C aids in the production and strength of collagen, an essential protein found in the body. Collagen is needed for healing wounds and is found in high concentrations in bones, teeth, tendons and blood vessels. If you're having trouble with low iron levels or are anemic, vitamin C improves the absorption of iron. Another bonus: Lemons reduce skin blemishes and can improve your complexion.

Fights Cancer

A study published in the "Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition" suggests that a diet a rich in lemon may prevent and reduce body weight and fat gain. The study focused on lemon polyphenols, a type of antioxidant found in lemons. In addition to slowing weight gain, an increase in lemon intake showed improvements in blood glucose control and insulin function. A study published in the "Journal of Research in Medical Sciences" found that citrus peel extract decreases and prevents oxidation of LDL -- or "bad" -- cholesterol. When oxidized, cholesterol is a free radical that increases inflammation and increases the risk of cancer.