When one thinks about lemon, the thing that usually comes to mind is kids by the road putting up a stand and selling lemonade. It reminds one of summer and sunshine and a carefree feeling. Thinking about lemon usually brings smiles to anyone. For the horticulturist, lemon is called Citrus limon. They are oval in shape with yellow-colored outer cover called peel. The peel always has rough texture. When one opens the lemon, the juicy flesh is enclosed in segments. Lemons have tart and acidic taste, but are definitely cool and refreshing. But lemons are not just about their taste, lemons are also nutritious. Just a quarter of cup of lemon, or about 61 grams, can already provide 46.7 percent of the daily value for vitamin C with only 15 calories. Just imagine taking a cup of lemon per day. But what makes lemon beneficial to health is its rich phytonutrients, particularly flavonoids and limonoids. Below are some of the health benefits of lemons:

1. It relieves indigestion and cures constipation

   For several generations now, lemon has been used for problems with digestion. In most cases the problem with the digestive system is to pH imbalance of the stomach and intestines. pH problem involves under acidity or under alkalinity. In the stomach, when there are diminished digestive juices, the food cannot be digested thoroughly leading to indigestion. Because the food is not processed well in the stomach, It enters the small and large intestine not well processed. This leads to constipation for some people. To remedy this, drinking beverages that are acidic may help. Lemon is rich in potent citric acid. Drinking or eating lemons can help problems with indigestion and therefore treat constipation.

2. It helps cure fever

   When somebody experiences fever, there is risk of dehydration. Drinking increased amount of liquids is recommended. But drinking lemon juice must be the best way to go. Lemon juice is rich in nutrients that can lower fever, not just in vitamin C that has long been known to revitalize the body, but the water itself can cool down the body lowering the temperature.

3. It promotes healthy teeth

   The idea of lemon on one’s teeth sends shivers to some people. Lemon is high in citric acid and is therefore irritating to the teeth. But lemon is actually an effective astringent and can help in fighting bacteria while promoting white teeth due to its bleaching action. The lemon juice and peel is rich in acid and it cleanses the dark areas of the teeth, which may be considered as dirty. The problem with the citric acid is even the calcium of the enamel of the teeth is broken down. When the enamel is worn-out, more tooth decay is expected, as well as sensitivity of the dental nerves. But this can be prevented if after drinking lemon juice, the teeth are rinsed with water.

4. It promotes healthy hair

   The hair is a person’s crown and how the hair looks like shows how healthy a person is. Eating the right foods, such as lemon, promotes healthy hair. In several cultures, one of the items being used to have healthy hair is lemon. First, drinking lemon regularly gives the body high levels of vitamin C, which is a necessary nutrient that can promote healthy skin and hair because of its antioxidant effect. In many soaps and shampoos, lemon is one of the ingredients, especially if suffering from dandruff. By simply rubbing lemon juice into the hair, the fruit as well as the act of massaging the scalp can already enhance the circulation of the blood, which promotes healthy hair.

5. It is good for the skin

   To promote radiant and soft skin, application of lemon is recommended.  Sometimes due to environmental factors, skin becomes dry and rough to the touch, by massaging a wedge of lemon onto the skin, skin will look healthy. In the case of freckles and spots due to aging, rubbing the lemon regularly will eventually fade away the irregularities of the skin. For those who desire to have fairer skin, soaking the body with bath water mixed with about half a cup of lemon is also good. Teenagers who are also suffering from blackheads may also find the powerful effect of lemons. Rubbing a wedge of lemon onto the affected skin every night and rinsing the skin only in the morning is a guarantee to have healthy blackhead free skin.

6. It helps deal with burns

   Do not think of directly squeezing a lemon into your burnt skin. It could be extremely painful But if lemon is ingested it is highly beneficial to the skin. Lemon is very rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a very potent antioxidant. When the body experiences burns, free radicals increases since the cells are subjected to oxidation process. These free radicals are harmful to the body. But if vitamin C is increased in the diet, the vitamin C scavenges on the products of skin burns, which promotes faster healing of the skin since what will be left is a healthy skin environment that makes the healthy cells to thrive faster.  Especially those skin structures that contain high amounts of fats, for it to be protected, it needs vitamin C which is high in lemons.

7. It helps rheumatism sufferers

   What is in lemon that aids those who suffer from rheumatism and other types of arthritis? First, lemon juice, because of its citric acid, is a very potent cleanser of the body as it flushes the toxins. The causes of arthritis are toxins and are unnecessary in the body. Taking lemon regularly flushes away the toxins that cause the joints from being ruined. If suffering from rheumatism, make sure to hit your stomachs with fresh cup of lemon and you’re ready to go.

8. It aids in Weight Loss

   For many individuals, adding lemon into the glass of water that they are drinking lessens their appetite. Lemon, of course, is acidic due to its citric acid. When one drinks lemon, especially with lemon peel, the food in the stomach will have a hard time being absorbed due to the enzymes that are sensitive to citric acid. If food, especially carbohydrates or sugar is not absorbed, there is lesser tendency to gain weight. Vitamin C can also increase the calcium in the fat cells. Studies have shown that fat cells high in calcium are more likely to burn faster, therefore increasing the chances of losing weight.

Sources
organicfacts.net
teethwhiteningresearch.org
livestrong.com
natural-arthritis-remedy.blogspot.com
outofstress.com