Hey there! I bet you have some lemons sitting in your kitchen, don’t you? They’re great for adding that tangy kick to your drinks and favorite dishes. Do you like using them in your cooking? I do.
And who isn’t craving a refreshing lemonade on these hot summer days?
However, there is more to lemons than just their cooling taste. Did you know that lemons could be an interesting addition to your beauty routine, bringing numerous benefits to your appearance and health when regularly used?
Explore twelve fascinating reasons why integrating lemons into your everyday regimen can be incredibly advantageous. Moreover, you’ll discover why keeping the lemon skin could benefit you more than tossing it in the garbage.
Keep reading to uncover these compelling insights.
Nutrition benefits of lemons
1- Lemons are packed with Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is essential for proper bodily function, but we must obtain it through our diet since we can’t produce or store it.
You can get 51% of your daily vitamin C intake just from one lemon, which contains approximately 31 mg of vitamin C.
So, if you dislike taking supplements, incorporating lemon into your diet is an easy way to boost your vitamin C intake. It’s a great way to improve your immune system and stay healthy!
2- Minerals and Vitamins
In addition to other nutrients, lemons are also a good source of potassium and vitamin B6.
Potassium is a macromineral that our body needs to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and coronary heart disease.
The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends an intake of 3510 mg/day in adults.
However, the Western diet is deficient in potassium. A mineral generally found in fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish.
On the other hand, the consumption of vitamin B6 is essential for maintaining our immune system, producing hemoglobin, supporting neurological function, and keeping blood sugar levels stable.
3- Lemons are rich in soluble fiber
Another fact about lemons is that they are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that aids metabolism and digestion. (More about pectin in a few minutes)
More health benefits of lemons
4-Lemons improve gut health
One benefit of consuming pectin is improved intestinal health. It also slows down the digestion of sugars and starches, lowering blood sugar levels.
However, to obtain the pectin benefits of lemons, one must consume the fruit itself, not just its juice.
In a moment, I will give you some ideas about how you can begin including lemon pulp in your favorite recipes.
5- The consumption of lemons protects against anemia
Anemia happens when our blood doesn’t have enough iron, and it’s something that some of us, especially women, deal with during pregnancy or when we have really heavy periods.
It can be tough to deal with, mainly because you often feel asleep and tired. But there are ways to manage it and return to feeling like yourself.
Lemons are not rich in iron (although they contain some), but their high doses of vitamin C help our bodies absorb this mineral efficiently.
That’s why combining iron-rich foods with a squeeze of lemon is a great idea.
6- Prevent kidney stones
Lemons are high in citric acid, which can aid in treating and preventing kidney stones by increasing urine volume and pH levels.
7- Lemons help in weight loss
Did you know that adding a slice of lemon to your water could help with weight management?
Studies have shown that the polyphenols found in lemons helped reduce weight and body fat in rats on a fattening diet. It’s worth a try.
Plus, it adds a nice tart flavor to your drink or dish.
8- Boost heart ❤️ health
The vitamin C and other plant compounds in lemons can do wonders for your heart and cardiovascular system.
These antioxidants work hard to keep your ticker ticking smoothly.
So, why not reach for some lemonade next time you’re thirsty? Your heart will thank you!
Beauty benefits of consuming lemons
Fun fact! Lemons aren’t just for lemonade and cooking.
They can actually do wonders for your skin, hair, and nails.
So, if you want to look and feel great, consider adding lemon to your beauty routine!
9- Lemons are anti-aging
The antioxidants in this fruit help fight free radicals that cause oxidation and aging in our bodies.
When rubbed on the skin, a slice of lemon instantly rejuvenates due to these antioxidant properties.
It works best mixed with ingredients such as honey, sugar, aloe, and milk.
Honey and lemon are considered the best combination for face and skin care for all skin types.
TIP: Just make sure to use lemon on your skin at night as exposure to the sun after applying citrus fruit extract can cause swelling, redness, and patches. However, always rinse before going to bed. Never leave lemon on your face overnight.
10- Improves the appearance of your skin, nails, and hair
Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, the main component of connective tissues in tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles. It also helps maintain healthy nails, hair, and skin.
Lemon juice acts as a natural astringent, reducing inflammation and oil on the skin. Its acid content is effective for lightening dark spots and reducing age spots. It also has antifungal and antiseptic properties that can treat acne and fungal infections.
TIP: If you're thinking about using lemon juice on your face, it's a good idea to test it out first in a small area to see if you have any sensitivity to it. And when you do use it, make sure to mix it with a carrier oil or water first so it doesn't irritate your skin. Safety first, right?
11- Lemon hydrates and detoxifies
Lemons help detoxify and hydrate our bodies.
This can help fight acne and keep our skin looking healthy.
Plus, lemons are great for supporting our liver and kidney function, which is essential because sometimes toxins can show up on our skin.
12- Lemon fights oral bacteria
Lemons can fight and eliminate bacteria in the mouth and throat that cause bad breath.
Additionally, they improve digestive processes, which can help correct mouth odors caused by stomach and gut issues.
What are the best ways to use lemons?
Lemon water
One of the most popular ways to use lemon is by adding some drops to warm water and drinking it on an empty stomach in the morning.
Lemon water is a widely used remedy in Ayurvedic medicine to detoxify and help us lose weight.
If you want to make this drink even more flavourful and increase its healing and detoxifying properties, add a pinch of pink Himalayan salt and cayenne pepper.
While pregnant, I enjoyed pouring this mix over ice as my favorite Saturday night drink while my husband indulged in a glass of wine.
Low-calorie salad dressing
You can make a delicious low-calorie salad dressing by mixing lemon juice with olive oil and fresh herbs such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, mint, and basil.
Don’t waste lemons peel.
When consuming lemons, it’s essential to not just focus on the juice alone.
The skin and pulp of lemons hold a wealth of health benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked.
In fact, these parts of the lemon contain potent nutrients such as antioxidants and fiber that are essential for maintaining good health.
So, next time you’re enjoying a lemon, be sure to make the most of all it has to offer by consuming the skin and pulp.
In this video, I show you how to make a nutritious green juice recipe and how I use the whole lemon to prepare it.
Here are some ideas for utilizing lemon peels.
Use lemon zest when baking cookies, muffins, and cakes. Sprinkle a little to enhance the flavor of your salads, meats, and cocktails.
You can also juice the whole fruit in the juicer to get the peel nutrients.
TIP: Buy organic lemons if you use the whole fruit with peel and everything since the lemon skin can have synthetic pesticide residues. And don't forget to wash them very well.
Learn here How to Remove Pesticide Residues from Fruits and Veggies.
Add the whole lemon to your smoothies.
For a refreshing twist, consider incorporating lemon pulp into your smoothies, not just the juice.
Adding lemon pulp to your smoothies will introduce a zesty flavor that can help uplift your taste buds and make your beverage more enjoyable.
However, it’s important to note that seeds should be avoided during blending. So, just remove them beforehand to ensure a smooth and pleasant drinking experience.
Lemonade
I grew up drinking lemonade as there is no better drink to cool down during the hot summer afternoons in Cuba.
But since I really like experimenting with new recipes, I learned how to make this Exquisite Sugar-Free Coconut Lemonade, which is even more delicious and refreshing.
Lemonade is the perfect drink to stay hydrated. However, sweeten it with a drizzle of stevia extract instead of sugar to make it healthier.
Conclusion
Lemons are great for your health and beauty.
They are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help boost your immune system and fight off infections. Plus, they can aid in digestion and even help with weight loss.
Besides, they make you look fantastic from the inside out, and they are so versatile that you can add them to almost all your favorite recipes.
So, remember to add some lemons to your cart next time you’re at the grocery store!
Let me know in the comments section if you like lemon and how you use it.
Hope to see you next time.
