When life gives you lemons, you have many options to choose from. You can either make lemonade or throw them at people you don’t like. You can also throw them back at life and snatch some oranges you had asked for. But the best thing you can do is to take all lemons home with you because it is a versatile fruit with multiple health benefits.
Lemon is one of the most famous citrus fruits in the world and belongs to the flowering plant family Rutaceae. “Lemons are rich in polyphenols, vitamin C, and citric acid which have multiple potential health benefits to the human body”
Before getting to know the bunch of health benefits of lemons, let us have a closer look at the nutritional content of lemons.
The nutritional profile of lemon
According to USDA, an average lemon contains the following nutrients.
| Carbohydrates | 5.4g |
| Calories | 17 |
| Fats | 0.2g |
| Protein | 0.6g |
| Sugar | 1.5g |
| Potassium | 80mg |
| Vitamin C | 30.7mg |
According to a 2021 study, “the health-promoting benefits of lemons are due to the presence of flavonoids and vitamin C, which are natural antioxidants”
Before the discovery of vitamin C, lemon juice was used as a remedy for scurvy as per 2020 research.
Try lemon for these 4 health benefits
The benefits of lemons are endless but some of the most important ones are discussed below:
1. Helps in weight loss:
It is a miraculous solution for all the people who have been struggling to lose weight.
Your weight loss journey is now coming to an end! But consistency is vital in order to see effective results.
Studies show that the consumption of lemon significantly reduced body weight and suppressed the accumulation of fat due to the presence of polyphenols in it.
According to experts, lemons have diuretic properties that help in the detoxification of the body, resulting in a higher fat-burning process.
Suggestion: Swapping out your coca cola with lemon water can lower your daily calorie intake.
2. Removes kidney stones:
Kidney stones are tiny but the pain isn’t!
Thanks to the citric acid present in lemon, it is involved in the breaking down of small kidney stones.
It not only helps in the passing of kidney stones but also provides relief from extreme pain.
In the reported study, the presence of citric acid in lemon suppresses the formation of kidney stones by two mechanisms – First, it binds to the calcium present in urine and reduces the chances of supersaturation of urine. Second, it binds to the calcium oxalate crystals and helps stop the growth of crystals.
3. Improves skin in multiple ways:
Lemon is full of minerals and essential vitamins which impart positive benefits for a healthy and glowing skin.
It is beneficial in the following ways:
- It fights pimples and severe inflammatory acne cysts
- Brightens dull appearance
- Increases collagen production
- Naturally lightens skin tone
- Controls oil production
According to a study, the lemon essential oil is proven to be an effective method to prevent the growth of Staphylococcus.
Lemons are high in citric acid, which has an exfoliating effect on the skin and soothes inflammation. There is strong anecdotal evidence that lemon juice works as an effective home remedy for soothing psoriasis-affected skin.
If you have seborrheic dermatitis (a type of dandruff), drinking lemon juice can greatly control the excess amount of oil production that leads to this scalp condition.
4. Aids in digestion:
A 2022 study shows that drinking lemon juice reduces the glycemic response and increases the secretions of gastric juices in the digestive system.
According to another study, the abundance of citric acid in lemons is responsible to stimulate the contraction and relaxation of the digestive tract which helps in proper digestion.
Fact: Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning can flush out all the toxins from your body. Lemons are also known to purify the blood, protecting the body from many health disorders. Drinking warm lemon water can keep your digestive system functioning smoothly.
Some amazing benefits of lemon – the multipurpose fruit
If life gives you lemons, why not use them to reap all the benefits? Try these tips at home now!
Tip#1: During the summer season, the unpleasant odor of sweating is the biggest problem! Now you can easily get rid of it by adding half a lemon to a bucket of warm water during bathing. It is a proven tip to reduce body odor and make you smell fresh.
Tip#2: If you want to increase your appetite, you just need to soak a few pieces of ginger in lemon juice and eat them before every meal. It will boost your desire for food.
Tip#3: Stop using expensive detergents to clean your utensils when you already have lemons in your kitchen. Lemons have a strong cleansing action. Cut the lemons into small pieces, boil them in water, and filter. It has been a useful tip for cleaning your utensils for a very long time.
Tip#4: Lemon has antiseptic properties and can be used for vaginal hygiene.
Tip#5: The fragrance of lemon is a deterrent for pests in the house. Keep lemons in the areas at home where pests are usually found.
Tip#6: It is recommended that you squeeze one lemon into 150ml of water and drink it in the morning before going to the bathroom. It will help keep you healthy and fresh.
Lemon as the kitchen savior:
Lemon can solve many tricky problems faced in the kitchen. Let us go through them;
- Lemon juice helps to prevent the turning brown of vegetables and fruits.
- Lemon juice keeps the brown sugar softer.
- Adding lemon juice to hard-boiled eggs helps cook them faster.
- If you are avoiding salt in your diet, lemon juice is your perfect companion to enhance the flavor of your meals.
- Lemon juice tenderizes the meat.
Reminder: When life gives you a lemon, never say, “What else have you got?”, instead, store them at room temperature for long-term use.
Wrap Up!
Do you want to add a bunch of nutrients and vitamins to your diet? Just squeeze a lemon and see the magical results.
For more information on the use of lemon in your diet, you can consult the best nutritionists at Marham.
FAQs:
1. Can lemon worsen my sore throat?
Lemon is good for sore throats because it breaks down mucus and helps relieve pain. Lemons also contain vitamin C, which helps boost your immunity and gives you more power to fight infections.
2. Does lemon reduce breast size?
Lemon is a natural ingredient known to reduce body fat. Consuming lemons regularly can help reduce body fat. So, including lemons in your daily diet can help reduce fat in your breasts.
3. Can we eat lemon during pregnancy?
Lemons are safe and healthy to consume during pregnancy. Lemons are packed with many essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help support maternal health and the development of the baby.
4. Is lemon a fruit or a vegetable?
According to botany, lemons are classified as citrus fruits and bear little resemblance to traditional vegetables such as carrots or broccoli. Scientifically, any structure containing seeds that grow in the ovary of a flowering plant is considered a fruit.