When Life Hands You Lemons …

Your health can benefit from the heat -- here's how.

By Bridget Nelson

From Reader's Digest

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Hold on to your beach hat! Surprising news about some warm-weather staples.

Lemonade. It may prevent kidney stones. In a long-term study, Duke University doctors found that people who drank a daily mix of lemon juice and water had increased levels of urinary citrate (low levels are linked to stones). Avoid sugary, calorie-laden mixes and stick to ’ades made with real lemon juice.

Air conditioning. It may make us fat. Before AC, we had to expend energy (and burn calories) to regulate body temperature; now it’s done for us. So turn off the air once in a while, open the windows and let your body do its job.

Watermelon. Don’t store uncut melon in the fridge: It may be healthier at room temperature. Why? Cancer-fighting carotenoids still develop after a melon is picked, but cold temps seem to slow the process.

From Reader's Digest - July 2007

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