Why you should include lemons in your diet

Lemons contain Vitamin C which is attributed to its health benefits. It helps promote weight loss, improve skin health and can also act as a breath freshener. Lemons also help with throat infections, dental problems, and lowering high blood pressure. This citrus fruit can also be used in hair care and skin care. Lemons also help strengthen one’s immune system. As a refreshing drinking, lemonade can help one stay calm and cool!

What is a lemon?

A lemon is a yellow citrus fruit belonging to the Rutaceae family. It is native to South Asia and it’s scientific name is ‘citrus limon’. Lemons have thick skin and are either round or oval in shape. Lemon juice has an acidic, sour taste due to the presence of citric acid in it. Lemons are highly treasured because of their high vitamin C content, and can be used to add flavour to cocktails, baked goods, desserts, and salad dressings.

Lemonade is made by mixing lemon juice and water. Drinking lemon juice with olive oil is a known remedy for gallstones. Most people also use it as a washing agent because of its ability to remove stains. The strong scent of lemons can also repel mosquitoes.

Benefits of Lemon juice.

1. Manages hypertension.

With long-term use of lemon juice, it can help manage one’s blood pressure. Regular consumption of lemon combined with walking might prove to be effective in lowering high blood pressure. This is mostly evident in people with hypertension rather than people with normal blood pressure levels.

2. Aids in weight loss.

Drinking warm lemon water and honey in the morning aids in weight loss efforts. Polyphenols present in lemons suppresses body weight and body fat accumulation.

3. Helps prevent kidney stones.

Citric acid in lemon increases urine volume and pH, creating a less conducive environment for kidney stone formation especially in individuals with a history of kidney stones. Lemon’s citric acid properties contribute to kidney stone prevention by altering urine properties.

4. Potentially helps in dental care.

Lemons can be used in cleaning teeth. Most remedies advocate using baking soda and lemon, however, try and avoid it as it may cause dental erosion. The safest way is to purchase a toothpaste that contains lemon as one of its ingredients. It is also best to consult with a medical expert before trying out something new.

5. Hair care.

In the treatment of damaged hair, lemon juice has proven useful. When lemon juice is mixed with olive oil and applied on the scalp, it can help relieve problems like hair loss, dandruff, and other problems related to hair and scalp.

6. Skin care.

Lemon juice, as a natural antiseptic medicine can be able to cure skin related problems. Lemon juice contains Vitamin C which when applied to the skin can reduce sunburn pain, and bee sting pain as well. It is also effective for acne and eczema.
It may also act as an anti-ageing agent, reducing wrinkles and blackheads. Additionally, drinking lemon juice with honey brings a health glow to the skin.

7. Relieves asthma.

Lemon juice assists in relieving breathing and respiratory problems, includes its ability to soothe people suffering from asthma. It may also help in dealing with long-term respiratory disorders. Additionally, lemon juice is an effective remedy to throat infections, colds and coughs due to its antibacterial properties.

Using lemon juice in your diet.

There are various ways to add a slice or squeeze of lemon to your diet. One can toss a spoonful of its juice in salads, tea or simply mix with cucumber water for more flavour.