Content
Lemon is good for the body - it is impossible to argue with this statement. But in order to understand exactly what effect the fruit has on the body, its properties need to be studied in as much detail as possible.
Nutritional value and chemical composition of lemon
The pulp of citrus fruit contains a huge amount of valuable substances. Namely:
- organic acids, mainly citric acid, which is responsible for the sour taste of the product;
- potassium, sodium and chlorine;
- magnesium, sulfur and phosphorus;
- natural monosaccharides and disaccharides;
- calcium;
- zinc, iron and copper;
- fluorine and molybdenum;
- boron and manganese.
In addition, the product contains dietary fiber and ash. Like any fruit, lemon contains an increased amount of water.
How many calories are in lemon
Citrus fruit is one of the lowest in calories. In 100 g of its pulp there are only 34 kcal.
What vitamins are contained in lemon?
Most of all, citrus fruit is valued for its high vitamin content. Its pulp contains:
- subgroup B vitamins - B1 and B5, B6 and B9, B2;
- vitamin E;
- nicotinic acid, or vitamin PP;
- vitamin A;
- ascorbic acid.
If you eat the fruit in the cold season, it will serve as an excellent prevention of colds and can easily replace multivitamin complexes.
How much vitamin C is in lemon
Among the vitamins present in the pulp of the fruit, ascorbic acid is the most famous. The product actually contains quite a lot of vitamin C - about 40 mg, which is about half the daily requirement for this substance.
But contrary to popular belief, lemon is not the record holder for ascorbic acid content. There is still less vitamin C in it than in parsley, kiwi or rose hips.
Contents of the BZHU
From the point of view of nutrients, the composition of the fruit is represented mainly by carbohydrates - about 3 g. There is much less protein in citrus - no more than 0.9 g, and the proportion of fat is very insignificant, only about 0.1 g.
Glycemic index of lemon
The pulp of the fruit contains very few sugary substances. Therefore, the fruit is completely safe for diabetics; its glycemic index is 25 units.
What are the benefits of lemon for the body?
The main beneficial property of the fruit is that it effectively strengthens the immune system and helps the body cope with colds. However, the benefits of the fruit are not only this. If you regularly consume citrus in small quantities, it will be able to:
- normalize metabolic processes and improve digestion;
- strengthen the cardiac system and improve brain function;
- speed up the work of a sluggish stomach and promote rapid absorption of nutrients;
- replenish energy reserves and increase your level of performance.
It is impossible not to note the antiseptic properties of the fruit; it helps in the fight against any inflammatory diseases and is an important part of complex therapy. It is recommended to use it not only for colds, but also for bacterial ailments, joint inflammation and diseases of the respiratory system.
Benefits of lemon for men
The benefits of lemon for the male body are very diverse. First of all, the fruit helps with failures and inflammatory ailments of the reproductive sphere. Eating lemons is useful for the prevention and treatment of prostate tumors; the fruit has a beneficial effect on weakening libido. Citrus fruits are very useful for men during the period of planning a child, as they improve the quality of genetic material.
Regular consumption of lemon fruits protects the body from heart and vascular diseases. Therefore, the presence of fruit in a regular diet prevents premature heart attacks and strokes, which are very dangerous for men.
The benefits of lemon for a woman's body
The fruit is of great benefit to the female body, as it helps to cope with most ailments and disorders of the genitourinary system. You can use its valuable properties for cystitis, infectious diseases, and loss of strength due to painful periods. The dietary properties of the product are also highly valued by women; thanks to its low calorie content, lemon helps burn fat deposits and normalizes weight.
The valuable properties of citrus fruit are used in home cosmetology. Masks and hair rinses with the addition of lemon pulp refresh and whiten the skin, eliminate acne and tighten pores, strengthen hair follicles and have a healing effect on the scalp.
Can pregnant women eat lemon?
Pregnant women experience a shortage of valuable substances, and lemon saturates the body with vitamins A, C, E and B. Also, citrus during pregnancy protects a woman from colds and allows her to cope with viral and bacterial infections without the use of pharmacological drugs. If you are wondering whether lemon can be consumed during pregnancy, the answer will be unequivocal - not only is it possible, but it is also necessary.
The fruit has diuretic properties and helps get rid of edema during pregnancy. You can eat lemon slices during attacks of toxicosis - this quickly eliminates nausea and returns a healthy appetite. Lemon thins the blood and prevents the occurrence of varicose veins in pregnant women, and also promotes the normal development of the fetus in the womb.
Is lemon good for breastfeeding?
During lactation, the benefits of the fruit become less clear.Despite the fact that it is still of great value to the mother, citrus fruit can cause a negative reaction in the baby. The fact is that the product often causes allergies and leads to rashes and diarrhea in the child.
It is recommended to return the product to the diet six months after giving birth, and then only on the condition that neither the woman nor her and her husband’s immediate family are allergic to citrus fruits. You need to start with 1 slice of fruit, carefully observing the baby’s reaction. If negative symptoms do not appear, then the volume of consumption can be increased subsequently.
At what age can children have lemon?
The vitamins and organic acids in the fruit will be very valuable for children, as they will help strengthen the body's resistance to all kinds of viruses and infections. But you can offer fruit to a child for the first time only after 8-10 months of life, no more than a tiny piece sprinkled with sugar to improve the taste.
Since lemon is a product with an increased allergic risk, if a child has any allergies, it is recommended to postpone the introduction of fruit into the diet until 3-5 years.
What does lemon help with and how to take it correctly
The benefits and harms of lemon for the body are in demand not only in cooking, but also in home medicine. The valuable substances in the product can have a beneficial effect on a wide range of diseases, if you know how to consume citrus fruit correctly.
For gout
The disease occurs due to excessive deposition of urea salts in the joints and is characterized by swelling, inflammation and severe pain. The fruit helps to destroy and remove harmful salts from the body, eliminate inflammation and swelling.
For gout, it is recommended to consume lemon twice a day for 18 days; it is enough to eat 1-2 fresh slices per dose. You can repeat the course of treatment twice a year, the fruit will contribute to a noticeable relief of the condition.
For a cold
Ascorbic acid and other vitamins in citrus fruits have a powerful resistance to viruses and infections, activate the immune system to fight colds and quickly reduce fever. At the first symptoms of ARVI and flu, it is recommended to eat 3-4 lemon drops throughout the day, either alone or simultaneously with warm drinks. Lemon for colds should be consumed until the disease subsides.
For sore throat
Inflammation and sore throat with sore throat are caused by the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. The antiseptic properties of lemon help cope with the problem.
Squeeze a quarter of fresh fruit over a glass, add 150 ml of water - and gargle with the resulting solution every hour. Lemon for a sore throat should be used for 2-3 days, this time will be enough to eliminate the infection.
For nausea
Nausea caused by toxicosis or any other reasons can seriously impair the quality of life. However, fresh citrus quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms; it is enough to eat just a couple of slices.
Lemon against nausea triggers a certain reaction in the body - it provokes the production of gastric juice and pancreatic enzyme.Thanks to this, nausea goes away in just 5-10 minutes and does not return for a long time.
In case of poisoning
Thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, lemon helps with poisoning very quickly; the fruit eliminates harmful bacteria and quickly removes their waste products from the body. This is, among other things, the benefit of citrus for the kidneys; it protects them from damage by toxic substances.
If you are poisoned, you should consume fruit in the following way: first, induce vomiting in order to cleanse the body directly of harmful substances. After this, several slices of citrus are squeezed out and mixed with warm water, and then the solution is drunk on an empty stomach every 3-4 hours.
For a hangover
The morning after a stormy feast, all body systems experience enormous overload, and the digestive organs, heart and blood vessels suffer most from intoxication. Lemon against a hangover is of great benefit because it restores the acid-base balance and promotes the rapid removal of toxic substances.
A citrus fruit will have the best effect if you simply peel it, divide it into slices and eat it whole in the morning. If desired, the lemon can be sprinkled with sugar, but it is best to consume it in its pure form - then the effect will appear within 15 minutes. The fruit will remove excess load from the cardiac system and eliminate tachycardia, eliminate nausea and weakness.
For gastritis
The use of lemon for gastritis depends on the type and stage of the disease. In case of gastritis with high acidity and in the acute phase, lemon should be completely excluded from the diet, it will have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes and will only aggravate the course of the disease.During the period of remission, the fruit should be consumed with great caution, in small quantities and not every day.
For gastritis with low acidity, citrus in moderate amounts may be useful. If we are not talking about the acute phase of the disease, then citrus can be consumed right before meals or with tea to activate digestive processes.
For pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas is an absolute contraindication to consuming citrus fruit. Lemon for pancreatitis will cause harm in any quantity; the acids in its composition will irritate the pancreas.
Even during the period of remission, the fruit should be consumed with extreme caution. You are allowed to eat no more than 2 slices per day, and you can take citrus only on a full stomach.
For cancer
Since lemon contains a large amount of vitamins, organic acids and flavonoids, traditional medicine identifies it as a good remedy for oncology. Lemon against cancer can be used both for prevention and in the treatment of an existing disease.
It is recommended to chew 3-4 slices of fresh citrus every morning on an empty stomach, washing them down with water if necessary. Valuable substances in lemon will prevent the growth of malignant tumors and strengthen the body’s natural forces to fight the disease.
For diabetes
The sour citrus fruit contains very little sugar and has a low glycemic index.Therefore, for diabetes mellitus, treatment with lemon is beneficial: it lowers blood glucose and cholesterol, helps to quickly cleanse the body of toxins, improves heart and kidney function, and prevents obesity.
With the permission of a doctor, you can consume up to 1 lemon per day for this disease. In too large quantities, the fruit can be harmful because it can cause heartburn, an allergic reaction, or an attack of gastritis.
What other benefits does lemon bring to the body?
The benefits of lemon are not limited to the listed properties. In folk medicine and cooking, the product is respected for many other qualities.
Is lemon a diuretic or not?
The main part of the volume of lemon is water, so the fruit belongs to the category of natural diuretics. It can be used to get rid of edema, for weight loss, and to remove sand from the kidneys. In terms of the strength of its action, the fruit is almost as good as pharmaceutical drugs, but has a milder effect and therefore brings more benefits to the body.
Lemon is choleretic or not?
The benefits of lemon in traditional medicine recipes are also represented by its choleretic properties. When consuming the fruit, the production of bile increases, so the product has a good effect on cholecystitis and other diseases of the gallbladder and neighboring organs.
The benefits and harms of lemon seeds
In addition to lemon pulp, the seeds of this fruit can also be beneficial. They are used to make healing tinctures and decoctions that help with diseases of the genitourinary system, inflammation and digestive problems.The seeds contain the substance limonene and essential oil, therefore they have a powerful antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal effect. Seed-based products can be used for colds and inflammation, fungus and worms.
Contrary to popular belief, lemon seeds are not poisonous. However, you still can’t consume them in large quantities. Lemon seeds are not digested in the stomach; they pass through the digestive tract in their entirety and, accordingly, can cause mechanical damage to the mucous membranes.
The benefits and harms of dried lemons
Fresh fruits spoil quite quickly, but preparing lemons according to a special scheme helps preserve lemons for several months. For example, a tasty and healthy delicacy is dried lemon; its slices are first boiled in sugar and then dried until the moisture has almost completely evaporated. The finished delicacy retains most of the vitamins and minerals; dried slices are beneficial for anemia and weakened immunity, sluggish digestion and problems with the cardiovascular system.
Despite the fact that dried lemons taste much softer and more pleasant than fresh fruits, they still need to be consumed in limited quantities. In excessive dosages, the treat can still lead to stomach irritation, heartburn and gastritis.
The benefits and harms of dried lemons
Another healthy delicacy with a long shelf life that can be prepared from lemons is slices dried in the oven or a special dryer. Dried lemons contain almost no water and can be stored for up to 9 months.Since drying is usually carried out at low temperatures, the finished delicacy retains the full composition of useful substances, including vitamin C, which is usually destroyed during heat treatment.
Dried lemons do not have as much sourness as fresh lemons, so eating them is easier and more enjoyable. They are beneficial for colds, help with nausea and poisoning, strengthen the heart and improve brain function. However, the delicacy should not be overused; in too large quantities, dried slices can cause an allergic rash or diarrhea.
Benefits of lemon for skin
The beneficial properties of lemon are used in home cosmetology. Citrus fruits are great for helping with acne, blackheads and blackheads, whitening your facial skin and regulating its oiliness.
If your skin is oily, it is recommended to wipe your face with fresh lemon slices daily. In homemade masks, lemon can be combined with egg yolk and cottage cheese, oils and mineral water, and other vegetable and fruit ingredients. With regular use, lemon can have a noticeable rejuvenating, tightening and cleansing effect.
What happens if you eat lemon every day?
The health benefits and harms of lemon largely depend on its quantity. You can eat lemon every day; the fruit will not cause harm, but will supply the body with essential vitamins and minerals.
However, you need to remember about safe dosages. It is recommended to eat no more than 1 whole lemon per day, otherwise the body will receive ascorbic acid and other beneficial substances in too large volumes.
What harm can lemon do to the body?
Despite all the valuable properties of citrus, sometimes it can cause significant harm.Contraindications to consuming the fruit are:
- acute pancreatitis and gastric ulcer in a state of exacerbation;
- acute phase of gastritis with high acidity;
- individual allergy to citrus fruits;
- infancy up to 1 year.
Since lemon is a very acidic fruit, in some situations it can harm even a healthy stomach. In particular, the benefits and harms of lemon on an empty stomach are ambiguous; the fruit should never be consumed in a state of severe hunger; this will lead to heartburn, pain and even vomiting.
Another dangerous property of lemon is its negative effect on tooth enamel. The sour fruit increases tooth sensitivity, so immediately after eating lemon it is recommended to rinse your mouth with warm water, it will wash away the remaining citric acid from the teeth.
Conclusion
Lemon is good for the body; its properties are valuable both for healthy people and for those who suffer from a number of diseases. But when consuming the fruit, you must be careful, since the beneficial properties of citrus can easily turn into harm if the dosage is exceeded.
