Lemon has many health benefits that have been recognized for centuries. The two main ones are: on the one hand, its powerful anti-bacterial and antiviral action, and on the other hand, its effectiveness in stimulating the immune system.
For its reasons, it has been used for centuries to treat multiple ailments. In ancient times, Egyptians believed that lemon would help to combat the effects of various poisons. In addition, because of its high vitamin C content, it was also used as a remedy to prevent diseases of the past, such as scurvy. Lemon is also used in diets, because its juice is also digestive and is a good depurative for the liver.
What are the benefits of lemon?
Promotes digestion:
Its acid taste is misleading: indeed, the citric acid (or citrate) of this citrus fruit is alkaline, therefore basic. In other words, it promotes the body's acid-base balance and promotes digestion by stimulating bile secretion in the liver. The ideal: consume it as a juice, in a glass of warm water or at room temperature, not on an empty stomach as Americans do, but during breakfast, to digest it well and better support the acid taste in the mouth. During meals, a dash of lemon on the fish, in the salad instead of vinegar, and on the vegetables compensates for the acidity of the proteins in meat and refined cereals. Thanks to its bark which protects it from pesticides, it is not necessary to choose it organic, as long as you do not consume the zest.
It would help to slim down:
It is low in calories (16 kcal in the juice of one lemon). It has detoxifying properties thanks to its antioxidants, which is useful when you want to lose a few kilos. It is a good diuretic because it helps the kidneys to work. In addition, it promotes transit. All these qualities make it an ally during a diet while promoting hydration, good sleep and sports!
Anti-cancer:
Lemon was discovered to have 22 anti-cancer compounds. These include limonene, which slows the growth of cancerous tumours, and flavonol glycosides, which can prevent cell division in cancer cells.
Fight against fatigue:
Lemon water, rich in vitamin C, can be very effective as an energy drink and refreshing to fight against fatigue. To cure infections and insect bites too.
Cleanses the skin:
Thanks to these detoxifying and diuretic properties, warm lemon water helps to keep skin healthy and radiant. Indeed, its alkaline nature destroys some of the bacteria that cause acne and other skin problems.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in lemon also help reduce wrinkles and spots, and fight free radicals - responsible for accelerated skin aging.
Good for the legs:
Because it is diuretic, it fights against water retention to deflate the legs. As it contains flavonoids (polyphenols), it also enhances the tonicity of the vessels. So in summer and winter (to fight against the harmful effects of heating), it is blended with blackcurrant grains and red fruits, also saturated with polyphenols.
Ideal for reducing chronic inflammation:
If the lemon seems acidic, in reality it paradoxically exerts, thanks to its organic acids (citric acid, in particular), a basifying (or alkalinizing) effect in the body. Indeed, they combine with potassium to form bicarbonates, which naturally compensate for the body's natural acidity, increased by our meaty diet and rich in cereals or dairy products (all of which are acidifying). This property not only preserves calcium capital (damaged by acidity), but actively fights chronic latent inflammation of the body and its associated pathologies (osteoporosis, renal failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle wasting, kidney stones...).
The consumption of citrus juice, including lemon juice, is also believed to be able to slow down symptoms associated with lower urinary tract disorders (difficulty urinating or incontinence, often associated with prostate enlargement) in men. A study conducted on more than 4,000 people over 5 years in Boston (Bach cohort) showed a halving of the progression of their symptoms (an effect that could not be found in women).
It stops nosebleeds:
Because flavonoids have a small anticoagulant effect and strengthen the walls of small vessels, you can squeeze a little lemon on cotton or clean gauze, then make a kind of tampon that you introduce into the nostril. Yes, it tingly but it helps!
It protects the throat:
The singers swallow a glass of pressed lemon with honey before entering the stage. Why? Why? Because this fruit with a high content of antioxidant vitamin C and trace elements has a strong anti-inflammatory power on the throat. We like it for its anti-cold, anti-mucus, and antiseptic action. It is softened with a little royal jelly to further strengthen its defences. And it is done every morning during a winter disease outbreak.
Purify the blood:
Daily consumption of lemon water can help purify the blood. Because modern food contains preservatives and artificial flavours. These accumulate as toxins in the blood and body.
A natural appetite suppressant:
Lemon is a appetite suppressant because it contains pectin, a fiber that swells when it comes into contact with water in the stomach, the lemon sends a message of satiety thus preventing both the small and the hungry !
How to choose it?
- The richest in juice is Primofiori, with its thin bark, harvested from September to December: enjoy it all winter long! From December to May, we find Limoni, well rounded and without too many seeds, but almost as juicy. Finally, Verdelli, less fragrant (and less juicy), takes over from May to September.
Attention! Lemon does not whiten teeth, as sometimes people think. On the contrary, it attacks enamel and makes it porous, therefore more sensitive to coloured foods such as tea or wine. Applied to the gums, it retracts the mucous membrane. Result: it increases dental hypersensitivity.
