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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

We all know the importance of staying hydrated. It is especially important for those of us living here in Arizona, as the heat during the summer can get quite intense, making it even more vital that we keep replacing the water we shed while sweating.

But it can sometimes be hard to make ourselves drink as much water as we should. The Cleveland Clinic suggests adding lime or lemon juice to your glass of water to help you drink more, as well as to reap the health benefits that these citrus fruits provide.

According to registered dietician Carly Sedlacek, lemons and limes are chock full of nutrients. These citrus fruits are a good source of the soluble fiber pectin, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, B, C, and D. Sedlacek also says that they are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients.

And the cool thing, we grow wonderful citrus in Arizona!

Thanks to their vast nutrient content, lemons and limes can provide you with the following health benefits.

• Improves skin
• Improves digestion
• Increases hydration
• Increases immunity
• Helps regulate blood sugar
• Supports healthy weight loss
• Improves the absorption of iron
• Potentially could reduce risk of certain cancers

Sedlacek notes that these fruits aren’t a cure-all by any means. But, adding them to your water is a simple way to get a few extra nutrients! More importantly, it can help you to drink more water because the juice adds a little bit more interest to plain old water!

Did you know that we grow citrus right here in Arizona? Look for some Arizona grown lemons and limes next time you’re shopping at your local grocery store or famer’s market!

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!