Health Benefits of Lemon
The lemon is a round fruit, native to Asia, whose species best known are lemon Sicilian (scientific name: Citrus limon ), lime Tahiti and Tahiti (scientific name: Citrus latifolia ) and lemon Galician or Rangpur lime (scientific name: Citrus limonia ), which can be found in green, yellow and orange. Some of these lemon species have a thin, smooth rind and others have a thick rind with some bumps.
Inside, the lemon has juice-filled buds and also contains some pits. The citrus and slightly sour taste is characteristic of the fruit and varies according to the species, the place of cultivation and the climate and season of the year in which the harvest takes place. The lemon tree is the lemon tree.
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LEMON PROPERTIES
Lemon is rich in dietary fiber, has low calories and has an antioxidant action. Contains mineral salts such as: phosphorus, iron, potassium and calcium. An alternative to better enjoy the properties of this fruit is to use lemon slices to flavor the water. You should cut the lemon into slices and put it immersed in warm water. After all, warm water will enhance the effect of vitamin C, which is found in large amounts in lemon peel. Then, just put it in the fridge and cool the composition.
BENEFITS OF LEMON WATER
The benefits of lemon water are numerous, among which is improved digestion. Lemon has a detoxifying effect, which helps with the removal of toxins that affect the gastrointestinal function. Lemon is acidic, so it helps in the digestion of food and helps the liver break down fats.
Lemon helps in detoxifying the body and also stimulates the immune system to produce more defense cells. Therefore, the function of lemons in the body is to remove fatty plaque from the arteries and to help fight the flu, respiratory tract infections, sore throats and poor digestion. Lemon also has an anti-inflammatory action and helps in skin regeneration.
DIFFERENT USES OF LEMON IN EVERYDAY LIFE
- Gargle with lemon
Gargle with lemon is one of the quickest ways to relieve pain and discomfort in the throat. Just squeeze part of a lemon (Tahiti, Galician or Sicilian) into a glass, and then gargle. The correct way to gargle is to keep the lemon juice for 1 minute in the throat region, with a few movements of the tongue; then just spit out the liquid.
2. Lemon juice with the skin
Lemon juice with its skin is rich in vitamin P (rutin, a vitamin that is not produced by the body). Vitamin P is present in the “bark”, that white part between the thick bark and the buds. The biochemical properties of this vitamin help to maintain healthy conditions for the functioning of blood vessels by decreasing the permeability of capillaries.
- Lemon drops in the meringue
A few drops of lemon help make the meringue more consistent. This is because the acidity will relax the proteins present in the meringue and then it will stabilize. Just add the drops to the bowl and spread or, when the whites are increasing in volume, add 4 or 5 drops of lemon and continue beating.
- Lemon for the fruits not to darken
When you drop lemon drops on some fruits (such as a pear, apple or banana), those fruits do not oxidize. This is because of the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that is present in lemon. Vitamin C will react with the oxygen that is present in the air and will prevent it from oxidizing the fruit. So, for the fruit not to oxidize, just wet the exposed surface of the fruit with a few drops of lemon.
- lemon on fast
Drinking lemon juice in the morning and on an empty stomach helps to strengthen the stomach and also facilitates the elimination of toxins that have accumulated in the intestinal walls.
- Accelerate post-workout muscle recovery
Lemon is a citrus fruit, and they have a substance called hesperidin, which is found in abundance in lemon. The functions of hesperidin stimulate the recovery and development of tissues damaged by exercise. This substance also helps the body to have more defenses. That’s why lemon helps the body to recover well after training. It is suggested to consume lemon before or after exercise, it can be an addition for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
LEMON HEALTH BENEFITS
- Influence of lemon consumption on weight loss
After all, does lemon get thin? Yea! Lemon helps with weight loss, as it eliminates fat and improves digestion and the consequent use of the healthy content of food. This causes a decrease in calorie intake at the next meal.
- Vitamin C Replacement
The fruit has a large amount of vitamin C, a substance that helps in the absorption of iron and, therefore, it is best to consume it with meals, in water or in the form of juice to maximize its effects.
- Helps fight some infections
Lemon juice is often used to treat respiratory tract and throat infections. It is also used to fight urinary tract infections, as it makes bacteria unable to survive in the environment. Lemon juice also helps eliminate calcium in the urine.
- Contains low amount of calories
Replacing some spices with lemon juice in some foods helps cut calories you might otherwise be eating. It’s also cheap, nutritious and tasty.
TYPES OF LEMON
The main types of lemon are the clove lemon, the Galician lemon, the Sicilian lemon and the Tahiti lemon. The first is the type of lemon most commonly found in backyards, it has a thick orange rind. The Galician lemon is very juicy and has a thin, smooth green skin. The Sicilian lemon was the first species of lemon discovered, it is rounded and has a greenish yellow color, with a thick skin. Finally, the Tahiti lemon is rounded and has a smooth, green rind.
LEMON IN FOOD
- Tasty combinations with lemon
The best combination is to use lemon to season fish, seafood, salads and sauces, as its acidic flavor will harmonize the food with them. However, it can be used to prepare white meat, such as pork or poultry.
- Lemon as a seasoning in food
The best option for those who are looking for a healthier diet that does not harm the body as much is the use of lemon to season food and salads. This way the food will be more nutritious. One of the substitutions is for sodium. Lemon can replace sodium in salads, sauces and meats. Lemon also gives food a different flavor and even helps the body to digest these foods. Tahiti and Sicilian lemon are the most suitable to be used to season foods. Some experts say that a tablespoon of lemon juice is enough to consume at a meal.
COMBINATIONS THAT CAN ENHANCE THE LEMON EFFECT
- lemon with honey and garlic
Lemon has large amounts of vitamin C, and is able to protect immunity. Along with honey, it has many benefits, as it is rich in nutrients, such as minerals and vitamins of the B, C and D complex, and also contains iron, copper and zinc, which work to improve immunity. By adding garlic, the antibiotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect is even more intense.
- lemon with orange
Both lemons and oranges have a high concentration of vitamin C, which is a photoprotective nutrient, which helps to soften some spots present on the skin, and also helps in the formation of collagen, which will strengthen and make the skin firmer and smoother.
- Lemon with green tea and Brazil nuts
Lemon contains ascorbic acid that ends up stabilizing catechin, which is an antioxidant that is present in green tea. So, this junction will end up delaying cell aging. And Brazil nuts are rich in vitamin E, which acts against free radicals.
- Lemon with grape:
Purple grapes are known to fight premature aging, they have a lot of antioxidant substances, just like lemon. Thus, when consumed together with lemon, their effect is enhanced by vitamin C, another antioxidant that protects the immune system.
LEMON HARM
The only harm is that, if ingested in excess, it can irritate the esophagus and the stomach, precisely because it is an acid. But this can only happen in people who already have stomach problems, but often use lemon in small amounts to alleviate the symptoms of some stomach problems.
CURIOSITIES ABOUT LEMON
- The lemon known as “Tahiti or Tahiti lemon” is actually a sour lime.
- There are some reports that lemon was used as a medicine by the Romans.
- Lemon improves breath as it removes most of the bacteria present on the tongue and teeth.
- Some people use lemon leaf tea, it fights respiratory infections and relieves sore throats.
- The juice of Tahiti, Galician and Sicilian lemons “in natura” is used in cooking, in the preparation of food, such as pasta, meats, cakes and confections, and is also used in cleaning cutlery and clothes.
- It is used to remove strong odors from food, such as fish and some seafood, it removes odors from the refrigerator and also from some utensils, precisely because it has a strong smell it overpowers some odors.
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Robert Asprin, APD is a non-dieting Accredited Practicing Dietitian passionate about inspiring positive changes in eating and lifestyle behaviors to help improve health while nurturing relationships with food and body.
