Lemon can help, The Juicy, Bright, and Flavourful Fruit that has been a Saviour to Mankind for Centuries. From Ayurveda to every possible cuisine, lemons have been a companion for Health Treatment to enhance the flavor of Food for ages. The Origin of Lemon is still debated but some horticulturists trace the Origin of Lemon to India. Ancient Egyptians believed that drinking Lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of Poisons. In Early days, sailors carried Lemon with them to prevent and treat themselves from Scurvy, a dreaded disease resulting from a Lack of Vitamin C. Lemon is a known Powerhouse of vitamin C, but also contains essential nutrients and vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, fibre, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid is a water-soluble Vitamin which is essential for our Body to form collagen in Bones, muscle, cartilage, blood vessels and supports the absorption of Iron. Our Body does not produce Vitamin C and the only way is to consume it from Home food. One Lemon contains more than 100% of our daily recommended Vitamin C Intake. Remedies don’t have to be new in order to be better and many times the time-tested ones work better than modern replacements. Listing Down 10 Remarkable Health Benefits of Lemon.
10 Ways Lemon Can Help You Stay Strong:
- Builds Immunity: Vitamin C, Flavonoids, Phenolic Acid, Coumarins and essential oils present abundantly in Lemon are antioxidants responsible to boost immunity in the Body. Vitamin C is central to our immune system and produces B and T Cells, which are integral to our immune response. Warm water with Lemon Juice helps prevent respiratory and Throat infections by breaking the mucus that gets accumulated. When we have optimum levels of Vitamin C, our Bodies produce interferons which are proteins created by the immune system to fight Viral Infections, Flu and Influenza. Lemon Juice has anti-inflammatory properties that are essential to building immunity.
- Prevents Cancer: Lemon have naturally present substances that have cancer fighting properties. The two anti-carcinogenic properties found in Lemon, are Modified Citrus pectin (MCP) and Limonoid. MCP is a carbohydrate found in Lemon and researches and studies have shown that MCP can inhibit the spread of Breast, Prostate, Liver, Bone and Skin Cancer. Limonoid is a chemical present in Lemon that is capable of slowing cancer cell growth. Vitamin C and other antioxidants in Lemon help prevent free radicals to cause damage to cells that can lead to cancer. Studies corroborate the role of Citrus Juice and its derivates as potential resources against cancer.
- Kidney Stones: Kidney stones are formed when urine in the Kidney becomes supersaturated with stone forming salts and an absence of preventive substances. Substances such as Uric Acid, Oxalate and Calcium develop a concentration to form crystals in Kidneys. After the formation, they usually block the flow of urine resulting in severe Stomach or Back pain. Citrate present in Lemon is a known source to break up stones. Citrate binds to the Calcium and blocks the formation of Stones. Lemon is full of Natural Citrate. Citric acid in lemon can help to increases the urinary citrate level and is a strongly recommended treatment of Kidney Stones.
- Weight Loss: The proven way to reduce weight is to keep your Liver and Digestive system healthy by eliminating Toxins. Poor Digestion is a Big reason for weight gain as the body is not able to burn fat because of build-up of toxins that slows the metabolism. Lemon Juice mixed with water is an effective way to increase the metabolic rate. Polyphenols present in Lemon supress Body Fat accumulation and are extremely beneficial for weight Loss. Lemon is a natural Diuretic and helps the body flush out extra water through urination. Lemon water aids in cleansing the Liver and helps in Digestion and prevents bloating.
- Blood Pressure: Blood pressure occurs when the pressure of blood in the arteries is elevated. Lemon lemon can help to reduces Hypertension as it softens the blood vessels and makes them flexible. Various Studies have called out the Benefits of Lemon in reducing the rigidity of Blood vessels. A key ingredient in Lemon known as auraptene is the known source for helping Hypertension Patients. Pectin found in Lemons keeps the fat, Cholesterol and sugar in blood at healthy levels that are linked to the hardening of arteries. Flavonoids and Vitamin P present in Lemon helps in strengthening the Blood vessels. Lastly, potassium present in Lemon is also responsible for lowering the Blood Pressure.
- Joint and Muscle Pain: High Uric acid levels in the blood can lead to frequent joint pains and in many cases lead to Gout, a form of Arthritis. Uric acid forms sharp crystals that collect in big joints and toes. Lemon juice makes the body alkaline and helps balance the body uric levels. Drinking Lemon juice releases more calcium carbonate which bonds with uric acid to break it to water and other compounds. This makes the Blood less acidic and lowers the Uric acid levels in the body. Lack of potassium leads to muscle cramps, and Lemon is rich in potassium which supports a healthy skeletal muscle function.
- Pregnancy Health: Lemons pack essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that help support Mother’s Health and foetal development. A deficiency in Mother’s Vitamin C can hinder foetal brain development, especially the hippocampus which is responsible for memory. Significant levels of Flavanones in lemon can help in building immunity during pregnancy. Folate is a Key nutrient in Lemons and is extremely essential for pregnant women in order to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. These defects affect the spinal cord and brain and can develop at an early stage of pregnancy. In summary, consuming Lemons during the initial stages of pregnancy is beneficial.
- Skin Care: Starlets have long realized the benefits of Lemon for skin Care. Vitamin C is a key ingredient in most skin care products as it neutralizes free radicals and stimulates the renewal of cells by exfoliating your skin. Lemon helps make collagen and elastin, which keeps your skin plump and youthful. Without enough collagen, our skin starts to wrinkle. A sliced Lemon used as a facial scrub removes dead skin, age spots, blemishes and stubborn dirt revealing a fresh layer of skin underneath. Lemon juice is also the perfect natural antibacterial treatment for acne. Lemon consumption makes the skin look radiant as it detoxifies the Blood.
- Hair Care: Lemon is a trusted ingredient to battle the common problem of dandruff and hair fall which hamper hair growth. Lemon juice is magic for Hair as it is rich in Phosphorous, Magnesium, Calcium, Folic Acid and Vitamin C and B. To elaborate, lemon has anti-fungal properties that fights Dandruff and other types of scalp fungal infections. Its acidic nature is effective in cleaning the scalp of dead cells that restrict hair growth. Lemon strengthens the Hair follicles making Hair long and strong and reducing hair Fall. It is the Perfect answer for Healthy and Voluminous Hair.
- Reduces Stress Levels: When Humans get stressed because of their concerns, the Body adrenal glands release a Hormone known as Cortisol. Cortisol is commonly known as the “Stress Hormone” and is known to many adverse effects on the body like Loss of Sleep, High Blood Pressure and Weight gain. Vitamin C in lemon can help to minimizes the effects of Cortisol in our bodies. Lemon Balm has a calming effect to remove fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety, nervousness and Tension. You can sprinkle a few drops of lemon balm on a handkerchief to inhale when tense. A glass of Lemonade at regular intervals helps you stay relaxed and keeps your energy levels high.
Samuel George Blythe, a famous Journalist and Political Commentator published an apt article in the year 1926 that poetically sums up the magic of Lemon. “Lemonade (Nimbu Pani) is the panacea for tender feet in the tropics. It is the regulator, the reviver, the protector against fever, the assassin of germs, the foe of tropical acidity, the enemy of rheumatic conditions, the quencher of thirst, the general efficient hygienic handy-man within the body.
It is a hygienic policeman that polices the body, paying strict attention to the liver, supplies richly the needed mineral salts, and when burned in the process of digestion leaves an alkaline ash that neutralizes the acids that are so copiously the result of tropical living conditions. The lemon is a friend, aid and companion, and the way to utilize it is in squash.” Homefoodi wishes everyone Great Health. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
