Little Known Health Benefits of Lemons

Listed below are some of the most significant healing powers and health benefits of lemons. Read on to discover…

Nutrition Facts and Medicinal Properties of Lemons

• Lemons are rich sources of vitamin C (88% DV), which is well known for its powerful antioxidant properties.
• They also contain up to 8% of citric acid, which is a natural preservative that aids digestion and helps fight viral and bacterial infections. Besides this, citric acid acts also as an excellent chelating agent in the treatment of heavy-metal poisoning.
• Lemons are also rich in antioxidant flavonoids, such as hesperin and naringenin, which have great anti-inflammatory properties. They have the capacity to boost the immune system and protect against free radical damage. Naringenin has been found to reduce the oxidative DNA damage in vitro, and this makes it an excellent cancer fighter.
• Lemons contain also vitamin B2, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and thiamin, as well as minerals like sodium, zinc, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, manganese, magnesium and copper.
• 1 lemon has 24 calories, 2.4 grams of dietary fiber and 0.92 grams of protein.
• As far as medicinal properties are concerned, lemons boast exceptional antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers, and have numerous positive effects on human health. But let’s take a look at some of them…

Gastrointestinal Benefits

Lemon juice aids digestion, by reducing heartburn and acid reflux. It is also very helpful in relieving nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and other disorders of the lower intestine.

Lemons also help the liver to produce more bile, which in turn helps digestion.

Detoxification

Lemons help cleanse the digestive system and kidneys, while purifying liver and blood. They are very useful in eliminating toxins from the body.

Blood Sugar Balance and High Blood Pressure

• The acidity of lemon juice helps lower blood sugar levels.
• Lemons increase the levels of good cholesterol in the blood.
• People with high blood pressure can greatly benefit from lemons. They contain vitamin P and potassium. Vitamin P strengthens blood vessels and prevents internal hemorrhage, while potassium lowers blood pressure by helping kidneys expel sodium and excess fluid. All this reduces the risk of heart diseases.

Oral Health

Drinking lemon juice helps reduce harmful mouth bacteria that cause cavities gingivitis, stomatitis and tongue inflammations.

Applied directly to affected areas, lemon juice can relieve toothache and stop gum bleeding. It can also remove plaque, strengthen and reinforce tooth enamel, and whiten teeth.

Lemons can also be used as a mouthwash to reduce bad breath.

Diuretic Properties and Bone-related Diseases

Another great health benefit of lemons lies in their ability to help the human body flush out toxins and excess fluids. In this way they also aid in relieving many conditions associated with water retention and high uric acid concentration in the organism. In fact, high levels of vitamin C in lemons can be very effective in reducing uric acid build ups in the body.

Lemons can therefore be very helpful in the prevention and the treatment of chronic diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, painful joints, lumbago and sciatica.

As diuretics, they can also help prevent glaucoma, edema, high blood pressure and bloating.

Immune System and Infections

• Lemon juice strengthens the immune system and has anti-carcinogenic properties. It contains antioxidants that fight free radicals, keeping at bay many serious diseases such as strokes, cardiovascular disease and colon, prostate, and breast cancers.
• Lemons can fight infections and reduce or destroy bacteria and other invading microorganisms. They have shown to be particularly effective in relieving and treating urinary tract infections, as well as many other bacterial inflammations.

Skin and Hair Care

• Lemons have great antioxidant properties useful in reducing many aging symptoms, as well as other skin disorders such as scarring, eczema, acne and blemishes.
• They also contain natural bleaching compounds, very effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and age spots.
• Lemon juice can help treat many scalp and hair problems, such as dandruff and hair fall, while helping hair become stronger and shinier.

Calming and Relaxing Effects

Lemons have stress-reducing properties and they can have relaxing effects on one’s mood. They can relieve tension, anxiety, nervousness and fatigue, reduce heart palpitations, and promote good sleep.

They can also increase brain activity, for they contain potassium, which helps improve memory and concentration, while calming the nerves.

Inhaling lemon essential oil can therefore have many beneficial effects for your nervous system.

In conclusion, you should absolutely introduce lemons in your everyday diet and start adding them to your recipes and dishes. Now, tell us whether you’ve liked this post, and please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.