Lemon: Benefits And Nutrition Facts Of This Healthy Food

We find never-ending sources of nutrients and beneficial elements for our health in fruits and vegetables. Moreover, we cannot only get them from food, but there are also hundreds of home remedies made with these products, and that can be a more natural alternative when relieving or treating some illnesses.

What are lemons?

A lemon, known scientifically under the term Citrus limon, is a yellow fruit extracted from the tree that has its name: the lemon tree. This small evergreen tree belongs to the family of the Rutaceae, and it is believed it comes from some areas of Asia.

The fruit of this tree is the lemon, a fruit that is popularly known for its bitter taste and its myriad uses, both in recipes and natural remedies. One of the main advantages of this fruit is that both its juice and rind can be used for a large number of purposes. As we were saying, its characteristic acidic flavor has made it an essential ingredient in countless recipes and drinks such as lemonade, cakes, and dressings for meat, fish, and salads.

Although its use in kitchens around the world is very recurrent, lemon is also distinguished by having an immense variety of health benefits for people. From the juice extracted from the lemon, you can make home remedies for conditions  such as indigestion, infections, dental and throat problems, burns, etc.

However, you do not need to suffer any of the above conditions to enjoy the benefits of the lemon. Thanks to the properties that it has, lemons can help us improve the health of our hair and skin, as well as favor weight loss.

Nutrition facts

Like many other fruits,  lemons are rich in a significant number of nutritional elements:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Folic acid
• Niacin
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Pantothenic acid
• Copper
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Phosphorus

Lemon benefits

As mentioned in the previous part, both the lemon juice and the rind are used in all kinds of culinary or drink recipes.  Lemon juice can be used to make lemonade, juices, and cocktails (lemon drop, for example). It is also very popular in marinades and dressings for meat, fish, salads and even rice dishes. 

On the other hand, the zest of the lemon rind has traditionally been used to add flavor to confectionery products such as cakes, puddings and sponge cakes. This is because it provides a mild citrus flavor and favors that these are soft and spongy.

In addition to being used as an ingredient in countless recipes, lemon juice can also be used as a short-term preservative of foods that tend to oxidize once they are opened or cut. This is the case of apples, bananas, and avocados. Apart from these uses, lemons can be great allies to maintain the health of our body both inside and outside. Among the main benefits of this fruit, we can include the following:

1. It helps with indigestion and constipation

Lemon juice can relieve the problems related to indigestion and constipation. By adding a few drops of lemon juice to our dish, we favor the digestion and the intestinal transit.

2. Weight loss

Although there is much discussion about this practice, some nutritionists recommend drinking lemon water (a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon) on an empty stomach.

It is hypothesized that this combination activates our metabolism and potentiates the burning of fats ingested throughout the day, although as we say, it is not at all clear that it is particularly healthy.

3. It controls arterial pressure 

As already mentioned, lemons are excellent sources of potassium, and consequently, they are very beneficial for those who suffer from some arterial problem or alteration. Lemon potassium helps control high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea caused by increases in heart rate or blood pressure.

4. It relieves respiratory problems

By providing large doses of vitamin C, lemons can facilitate the relief of respiratory problems as well as asthma attacks.

5. Burn treatment

Putting some lemon juice on a superficial burn can help your harmed skin to get disinfected thanks to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It can also calm and reduce the sensation of burning and irritation because it has refreshing effects.

6. It stops internal bleeding

Since, in addition to the antiseptic properties, lemons also have an effective coagulating effect, it can help to prevent bleeding or internal hemorrhages like those that sometimes affect the nose. Soaking a cotton ball with a bit of lemon juice and placing it inside the affected nostril may favor the blood to clot and stop the bleeding.

7. Facial care

Lemon juice, being a natural antiseptic, can also be useful in the treatment of some skin conditions. If applied on sunburn, it can help relieve pain; however, it can dry the skin, so it is necessary to keep it well hydrated with other creams or ointments. Its astringent and antiseptic power favors the reduction of inflammation and helps in the treatment of acne and eczema.

8. Dental care

There are many traditional remedies related to dental health that use lemon juice as the main ingredient. If we apply a little juice of this fruit in an area affected by a toothache, it will favor the relief of this symptom. Also, performing a gentle massage on the gums putting some lemon juice on them can stop the bleeding and, at the same time, eliminate bad breath.

9. Haircare

Finally, lemon juice has proved to be very useful in general hair care. The extract of this fruit, applied to the scalp, can alleviate some hair problems such as dandruff and hair loss. Also, if used on the hair, it can provide a healthy and natural shine.

• This article about "The Lemon" was originally published in Spanish in Viviendo La Salud