The Benefits of Lemon
Lemons are not only for flavoring tea and sprucing up tap water. The sourest fruit in the citrus family is a model detoxifier, mighty refreshing, and of course super high in vitamin C. Not only can you eat a lemon whole – yes, the white pith and yellow peel we often discard are quite edible – you can use the juice as an astringent and bleaching agent/whitener, and the oil in the peel for its wonderful and pleasing aroma.
A single whole lemon boasts 5g (20%) of your daily dietary fiber, and 83 mg (139%) of your daily vitamin C intake. The single gram of sugar and protein doesn’t change with the removal of the peel, but the fiber reduces to about 2g (6%).
Lemon water is one of the best ways to start your day. A glass of warm lemon water first thing in the morning will give your liver a bright and early detox through the antioxidant D-Limonene, which is mainly concentrated in the peel. Lemon water is also a digestive aid, as the liver is primed for the day ahead. The detoxifying, stimulating and refreshing drink also stimulates iron absorption and reduces phlegm.
Let your warm lemon water sit for at least 10 minutes, so the rind has time to soften and allow more of the essential lemon oils and other nutrients to come out from the peel. But, the pitch and lemon rind will turn your water bitter if left to soak for more than 4 hours. So remove – and eat – before waiting too long.
Lemon can also be used in homemade beauty and cleansing products. The acid acts like an astringent used to kill germs and dry out oily skin, helping to prevent acne, blackheads and other skin eruptions. The acid also acts like a bleaching agent, lightening dark marks from past skin eruptions. So lemon juice is an all natural facial cleanser and blemish remover.
A single whole lemon boasts 5g (20%) of your daily dietary fiber, and 83 mg (139%) of your daily vitamin C intake. The single gram of sugar and protein doesn’t change with the removal of the peel, but the fiber reduces to about 2g (6%).
Lemon water is one of the best ways to start your day. A glass of warm lemon water first thing in the morning will give your liver a bright and early detox through the antioxidant D-Limonene, which is mainly concentrated in the peel. Lemon water is also a digestive aid, as the liver is primed for the day ahead. The detoxifying, stimulating and refreshing drink also stimulates iron absorption and reduces phlegm.
Let your warm lemon water sit for at least 10 minutes, so the rind has time to soften and allow more of the essential lemon oils and other nutrients to come out from the peel. But, the pitch and lemon rind will turn your water bitter if left to soak for more than 4 hours. So remove – and eat – before waiting too long.
Lemon can also be used in homemade beauty and cleansing products. The acid acts like an astringent used to kill germs and dry out oily skin, helping to prevent acne, blackheads and other skin eruptions. The acid also acts like a bleaching agent, lightening dark marks from past skin eruptions. So lemon juice is an all natural facial cleanser and blemish remover.
Originally Published by Boomers On...
