Benefit of Lemons in your diet

11 years ago
Posted in: Your Health

Lemons have many health benefits including antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting properties. It’s also been used as a weight loss aid because it acts as a digestive aid and liver cleanser. These benefits are the result of what’s in the juice of a lemon; citric acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene.

 

Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, is a powerful antioxidant required for the growth and repair of body tissues. Vitamin C is also required for the formation of collagen, a protein found in skin, scar tissue, blood vessels and other body tissues. Antioxidants like vitamin C help slow the aging process, fight tumors, repair wounds and ward off inflammatory illnesses.

Bioflavinoids in lemon juice strengthen blood vessels and maintain eye health.

Limonene helps promote immunity and fight infection and may have anti-cancer properties.

Potassium, an electrolyte, is essential for normal kidney function and critical for nerve and muscle function.

Lemon juice is also an astringent and can be used as a gargle for sore throats or as lotion for sunburn. It’s also a cooling drink for fevers. With strong anti-inflammatory properties, lemon juice is recommended for acute rheumatism. Lemon juice counteracts narcotic poisoning, and has long been recognized for its value as a hangover cure.

The juice isn’t the only medicinal part of the lemon. The peel has considerably larger quantities of medicinal phytochemicals than the juice. It contains higher concentrations of citric acid and active anti-cancer compounds than the juice or the pulp. In a 2001 study, researchers Hakim and Harris found that the peel showed strong potential for significantly reducing risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.

DISCLAIMER: If you suffer from heartburn, kidney or gall bladder problems or have a citrus allergy consult your doctor before using lemon remedies or drinking lemon juice. To protect your teeth enamel, wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth after chewing, drinking or rinsing with lemon juice. Rubbing lemon juice or oil and drinking lemon juice is not suitable for children under the age of 10. Lemons are effective home remedies for a variety of health concerns but in the case of serious illness always consult your doctor first.

 

 

 

 

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