Lemons are the favorite fruits all over the world and an essential food in every kitchen. The lemon that you have been enjoying in many drinks and meals is a powerhouse of health benefits!
Lemon originates from Asia. This fruit has green or yellow color. The whole fruit (pulp, juice, rind and the zest) is used in cooking and also have non-culinary purposes.
Lemon is rich in Vitamins (C, B1, B2, B3, and B5), calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat and protein as well as sugar. The juice of the lemon contains 6% citric acid, which makes its taste sour, great for balancing a highly acidic condition in the body.
Here are the best 20 health benefits of lemon:
Cold immunity
Lemons are a great source of vitamin C, which is essential to keep your immune system from cough and cold. Lemons contain flavonoids, which work against viruses and keep the body fit.
Restores the body’s pH balance
Lemons are great for balancing a highly acidic condition and restore the pH balance of the body.
Anti-aging
The vitamin C found in lemons helps to neutralize the free radicals responsible for causing aging related diseases.
Anti-cancer
Lemons have even 22 anti-cancer compounds, including limonene which can slow down the growth of cancer tumors and flavonol glycosides which can stop cell division in cancer cells.
Anionic
Lemon is the only fruit in the world which is anionic (ion with a negative charge), which is very important for the optimal health of the body.
Good for eyes
The compound found in lemons, rutin can help to improve eye disorders.
Effective against Parkinson’s
The peel of the lemon has tengeretin, a compound which is known to be very effective for brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Fights intestinal worms
One of the most important health benefits of lemon is its ability to help destroy the presence of intestinal worms.
Anti-bacterial
Lemon has antibacterial properties and can destroy a wide range of bacteria such as diphtheria, cholera, malaria, typhoid…
Treat scurvy
Vitamin C found in lemon helps to treat scurvy, which is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. This disease was spread among poorly nourished sailors. Thai is the reason why the British navy stocks its ships with lemons to help the sailors to fight or prevent this disease.
Kidney health
The citric acid in the lemon juice helps to dissolve gall stones, kidney stones and calcium deposits.
Blood pressure
Lemons are also used in treating high blood pressure.
Skin and hair benefits of lemon:
Antiseptic
Lemon juice is a natural antiseptic and used as an ingredient in your homemade facial mask, actually it can help clear oil, dirt and bacteria on your face skin which cause breakouts.
Reduce acne
Lemon juice is very effective to reduce acne.
Extra tip: Squeeze fresh lemon on a cotton bud and apply on acne to help reduce its appearance.
Remove scars
Lemon juice is also known to be very effective for preventing and healing pimples and acne scars.
Extra tip: Apply freshly pressed lemon juice over scars on a clean face skin every evening, and you will be definitely pleased with the good results.
Lighten age spots
The lemon juice can make the age marks less visible. You can also use lemon juice for many parts of the body, such as elbows, knees, face, hands. It provides smooth skin and less visible age marks.
Healthy nails
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C which is good for nails. Vitamin C makes the nails healthier and stronger.
Extra tip: Put your nails in a bowl of lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Then soak them in a mixture of warm water and vinegar. Wash your hands and you will definitely see the difference.
Condition dry hair
Lemons are great as a conditioner for dry and damaged hair.
Extra tip: Make a homemade conditioner for dry hair. You will need lemon juice, ¾ cup olive oil and ½ cup raw honey. Mix all the ingredients and apply the mixture on a hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then, wash with mild shampoo.
Stop hair loss
Lemons are great for stopping hair fall problem.
Extra tip: Mix 3-4 tbsp of coconut oil with half lemon fresh juice. Apply the mixture on your hair once a week. Repeat this every day for 2 or 3 weeks for best results.
Delay graying of hair
Lemon juice can be also used to delay graying of hair.
Extra tip: Mix few drops of lemon juice with amla juice, and apply this mixture on your hair, every night before going to sleep. This homemade remedy will not only stop hair fall but also keep you protected from premature graying.
Relieve chapped lips
Lemon helps to relieve chapped lips.
Extra tip: Mix a tsp of fresh cream with a tsp of lemon juice and a tsp of honey into a paste. Use this on the lips and rub it in. Store the rest and use it for a week for better results.
Read more: 10 Reason why you should drink lemon water