When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade, make lemon water. This sour citrus fruit has a long list of health benefits and should definitely be a part of your diet. Unfortunately, lemonade (or lemon meringue pie) is not the way to get the nutrients from this good food. When you realize all of the wonderful things that lemons can do for your health, you won’t mind puckering your face to reap all of these health benefits.
Lemon Nutrition
If you are looking at the nutrition label for the breakdown of lemons you will notice two main nutritional benefits, fibre, and vitamin C. Lemons are also a good source of potassium and vitamin B6. The fibre makes up roughly a third of the carbs, which is good because fibre is easy for your body to process and will keep you regular. Every 100g of lemon has 88% of your daily value of vitamin C. This abundance of vitamin C, and an antioxidant called bioflavonoid are responsible for most of the benefits of this good food.
Lemon Benefits
As we already mentioned, lemons are a good source of fibre. What makes lemons even better is they contain a fibre by the name of pectin. Pectin can help lower blood-sugar levels, and can help reduce hunger, which is a great way to stop cravings.
Lemons can also have a great impact on your digestive track. Lemons help flush the toxins from your body and boosts enzyme function. This flushing process clears out the digestive track and will help protect you from heartburn, burping, and bloating.
Not only does it clear out your digestive track, but it also helps remove uric acid from your joints and reduces inflammation throughout your body.
The high level of vitamin C is going to do wonders for your immune system. This is why lemon is so common in cold and flu medication. Vitamin C is also important to take when you’re stressed because it is one of the most used nutrients when you are in a heightened state of stress.
Another benefit of eating this high-level of vitamin C is that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes.
As if there weren’t enough benefits to adding lemon to your diet already, it is great for your skin. Lemon juice can decrease the appearance of skin blemishes and scars. It can even help reduce the signs of aging by minimizing wrinkles and age spots. The antioxidants work as a detox that rejuvenates the skin and keeps you looking young.
The vitamin B6 found in lemons help convert food into energy. This means ingesting lemons is going to help boost your energy level. B6 is a healthier way to stimulate the brain than caffeine, so try adding lemon into your morning routine. This will give you the energy you need to make it through the day.
Lemons are also an abundant source of citric acid, which can help prevent kidney stones from forming. And let’s face it, with all of that vitamin C, you’ll never have to worry about getting scurvy.
Add Lemon To Your Diet
An easy way to add lemon into your diet is by drinking lemon water (not lemonade). Squeeze half, or a whole lemon into a glass of water to make yourself a refreshing beverage. It is filled with health benefits and you won’t miss the sugar.
