Lemon as a medicine : health benefits and uses
LEMON HEALTH BENEFITS
Description and history of lemon
Lemon is a species of small evergreen tree from the flowering family Rutaceae, native to Asia, primarily northeast India (Assam), northern Myanmar, and China. In a suitable climate, the lemon tree blooms up to 3 times a year, from May to September, and after each flowering it produces fruits that are used for eating, juice and processing. The leaves are light green in color, ovoid or slightly more elongated, weakly toothed, fragrant, the petiole is bare without wings. Lemon fruits can be oval or round in shape, yellow in color, and the inside is filled with juice. There are seven types of lemons, which are: Sorrento, Pink, Verna, Panache, Villafranca, Meyer, Eureka, Lisbon
The chemical composition of lemons
In line with other citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, lemons are a rich source of plant compounds with antioxidant properties, such as vitamin C and flavonoids. The juice of one lemon provides more than one third of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. Lemons contain calcium, which is important for muscle function, hormone secretion, blood vessel contraction and much more. Lemons contain potassium, which helps the proper functioning of muscles and nerves. Folate, which is also found in lemon, fights birth defects of the spine and helps in the formation of red blood cells.
Health benefits of lemons
Lemon significantly raises immunity, it is a natural antibiotic that protects against bacteria and viruses. Its acidity repels harmful bacteria, but, interestingly, it attracts bacteria useful for our digestive system. Many diets recommend lemon because it gives a feeling of satiety and at the same time raises the energy of a tired body.
- Boosts immunity
Lemons are one of the main sources of vitamin C, a vital nutrient associated with boosting the immune system. In fact, the vitamin C content of lemons is about the same gram-to-gram ratio as in the orange diet. Additionally, lemons are rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation and boost immunity. Vitamin C helps people with malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Lemons are also rich in antioxidants. By neutralizing harmful free radicals and keeping your body clean of diseases caused by bacteria or viruses, antioxidants have been proven to protect your immune cells.
- Improves cardiovascular health and helps prevent cancer
The high vitamin C content helps maintain the strength and integrity of your heart. Combine it with a healthy and active lifestyle to truly improve your heart health. Lemons are loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants and chemicals, so it’s no surprise that many studies have shown that lemons can help destroy cancer cells. Lemons also contain chemicals such as d-limonene and hesperidin. They have also been shown to have cancer-preventing properties.
- Stimulates collagen production
Vitamin C is a popular skincare ingredient due to its ability to give skin a glow, fight free radicals, and increase collagen production. You’ll find it in many serums and creams, but you can double the benefits of vitamin C for skin health by incorporating this nutrient. Collagen is a type of protein that gives the skin structure and elasticity. Skin naturally contains and produces collagen, but collagen production decreases with age, which is why it is claimed that eating more foods rich in vitamin C such as lemons can give the skin a younger appearance.
- Lemon provides dietary fiber
A diet high in fiber has been linked to a reduced risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease. One cup of lemon contains almost 6 grams of fiber. Lemons contain a type of soluble fiber called pectin, which can support blood sugar control and help lower cholesterol. Fiber is only found in whole lemons, not lemon juice.
- Reduces the risk of kidney stones
Kidney stones are painful, but there are some ways to prevent them. Staying hydrated is considered the best way to prevent kidney stones, so be sure to drink plenty of water. Adding a squeezed lemon to the water can also help, as lemons contain citric acid, which could help break down minor kidney stones.
- Prevents iron deficiency
A very important mineral for your body is iron. It is found in red blood cells, hemoglobin is one of the key components that supplies the body with the necessary oxygen. Many categories of people are at risk of iron deficiency. Vegetarians and vegans, for example, eat a type of iron that is more difficult for the body to absorb. Furthermore, women of childbearing age are at higher risk due to menstrual blood loss. Studies reveal that the abundance of vitamin C in lemons may improve iron absorption, thereby preventing disorders including iron deficiency anemia.
- Promotes weight loss.
Allowing you to reduce calories without compromising on flavor, replacing the juice or juice with a glass of cold lemon water helps you promote weight loss. One cup of orange juice, for example, has 112 calories and more than 26 grams of carbs. In contrast, sugar-free lemon water has only six calories. Furthermore, while lemon juice has reasonable carb levels, diluting it with water drastically reduces the carbs in lemon water, therefore reducing them to just two grams per serving. Although lemon helps with weight loss, in order to really achieve the desired results in terms of weight loss, it should be combined with a good diet and lifestyle.
8.Improves digestive health
Lemons are made up of about 10% carbohydrates, mainly in the form of soluble fiber and simple sugars. The main fiber in lemons is pectin, a form of soluble fiber linked to multiple health benefits. Soluble fiber can improve gut health and slow the digestion of sugar and starch, which can ultimately result in reduced blood sugar levels. However, in order to reap all the benefits of fiber from lemon, one should eat the pulp. People who drink lemon juice, without the fiber found in the pulp, will not get all the benefits from lemons, especially lemon fiber.
Lemon has long been used as a remedy for the liver because of its mild effect on its function, as well as on digestion and blood counts because it lowers cholesterol. For high cholesterol, a combination of lemon and garlic is recommended. Lemon is also effective against heartburn. Citrus is not usually wise to consume for heartburn, but if you mix a tablespoon of lemon and half a glass of water and drink it, the heartburn will disappear. Lemon and water for weight loss are also a great combination that will help you detoxify your body.
How to consume lemon?
Lemons are best squeezed and stored in the refrigerator and consumed if desired. If you’re going to squeeze it every time you want to add a few drops of lemon juice to a salad, you’ll get bored of it quickly. That’s why it’s a good idea to squeeze a larger amount of lemon and then use it up. Lemon peel has a sour – bitter aroma and can be added to cakes, and lemon liqueur is also popular in Mediterranean regions. Lemon slices are added to tea and other beverages for aroma, but we recommend squeezing lemon (instead of adding slices) to give you both aroma and healthy properties. In addition, you can also prepare a delicious, refreshing lemonade from lemon, which will come in especially handy during the summer heat. A plant that smells and tastes like a lemon and looks like a grass with a bulb-like stem is known as lemongrass. It is used for treatment due to its antioxidant properties and abundance of vitamins and minerals, but it is also known in the perfume, food and pharmaceutical industries. Read more about it here.
Lemon precautions and side effects
Most people can eat and enjoy lemon with little chance of negative effects. Some people might consider cutting back on spending in the meantime. Although rare, citrus fruit allergies have been documented that can worsen food allergies including rashes, edema, asthma, and skin redness. If you experience any negative effects after consuming lemon, stop immediately and consult a doctor.
Furthermore, even if the nutritional profile of lemons is really outstanding, it can be absolutely overdone. Citric acid makes eating too much likely to cause the enamel on your teeth to deteriorate, therefore increasing sensitivity. Finally, placing lemon directly on the skin can increase sensitivity to UV rays; Therefore, be sure to wear sunscreen or limit sun exposure to prevent sunburn.
For more information on the health benefits of lemons, watch the videos.
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