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Lemon is the leader in the content of ascorbic acid among fruits. Useful properties of citrus are used in the treatment of colds, as well as to increase the body’s defenses. Frozen lemon appeared on the list of traditional medicine relatively recently.
Can you freeze lemons
Lemons are suitable for freezing. They are frozen in order to use, if necessary, for cooking, as well as for medicinal purposes. Citrus fruits are frozen in several ways:
- using the whole fruit;
- in a crushed state with or without added sugar;
- slices, circles or quarters;
- separate parts: zest or juice.
When frozen, the juice is structured; after thawing, such a liquid is more quickly absorbed by the body. The blast freezing process helps to get rid of harmful substances that may have entered the peel after treatment with chemicals during cultivation. Frozen lemons can be stored in the freezer for several months.
The benefits of frozen lemon for the human body
When analyzing the qualities of a frozen lemon, the question arises whether it is possible to freeze and use the fruit. It seems that the use of fresh fruit is more justified in the event that the body does not have enough vitamin C, and it needs to replenish its natural needs. This conclusion is reached by those who are not familiar with the mechanism of action of a frozen lemon.
The fact is that shock freezing affects the beneficial properties of citrus in a special way. Antioxidant qualities increase significantly: this is due to the structuring of vitamins C and E.
The composition after exposure to cold remains the same. Fiber, micro and macro elements do not change their properties. The effect of the product on the human body is characterized by several directions:
- Antioxidant. The elements of the composition stop the oxidation processes, prevent the spread of free radicals. For the human body, this property is expressed in an increase in the protective mechanisms of cells, inhibition of the aging process, and normalization of the activity of the heart muscle.
- Immunomodulatory. The benefits of drinking structured juice are enhanced by its ease of digestion. Vitamin C prevents the development of viruses, improves the functioning of the immune system.
- Antimicrobial. This effect is associated with the effect of micro and macro elements, as well as phytoncides, which are rich in citrus fruits.
- Anti-inflammatory. Warm water with frozen fruit chips can relieve inflammation of the larynx. This is due to the influence of beneficial elements on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract with concomitant exposure to essential oils.
Lemons contain more than 50% liquid, so they act as diuretics. The fiber in the fruit improves digestion. According to doctors, the benefits of frozen lemon increase with regular use of the product. To feel the effect of citrus, you need to take 70 – 75 g of lemon daily.
Benefits of frozen lemon for cancer
The beneficial properties of frozen lemon have been talked about relatively recently. The information that citrus, after freezing, can affect cancer cells, stirred up the public. When talking about the use of lemon in the treatment of cancer, they mean its antioxidant properties.
The benefits of frozen lemon in the presence of cancer are possible if it is used systematically. The elements of the composition bind free radicals, excluding their movement inside the cells. In addition, vitamins C and E in combination with flavonoids prevent the spread of metastases, cleanse the interior of toxins and harmful substances.
What are the benefits of frozen lemons for weight loss
To get rid of extra pounds, use products that contain increased fluid and fiber content. It helps to remove harmful toxins from the body. Frozen citrus can be considered such a product. In addition, it contains vitamins and minerals that can enrich the body with useful substances.
When losing weight, it is recommended to use frozen grated lemon, the benefits of which are affected by product combinations:
- If you add the mixture to a glass of clean water and drink it before breakfast, the processes of activating the activity of many systems are launched in the body.
- If you take the mixture in combination with hot sweet tea, getting rid of excess weight will not happen. Excessive consumption of a mixture of lemon and sugar, on the contrary, can lead to an excess of sucrose and slow down the process of losing weight.
The best option for using frozen citrus for weight loss is the preparation of a drink with the addition of additional ingredients:
- ginger root – 70 g;
- lemon.
The ingredients are rubbed on a grater. To 1 tbsp. water add 1 tbsp. l. mixture and drink in the morning. The impact of the components helps to stabilize the metabolic processes and the removal of toxins from the body.
Rules of admission
From the control over the amount of consumed product depends on its effect on the body. The method of preparation of drinks or dishes with lemon is of great importance.
Ascorbic acid loses some of its beneficial properties during heat treatment, so adding slices to hot tea, as is customary everywhere, is not recommended. A warm drink with juice added to it will bring great benefits.
Special reviews, according to doctors, deserve cold water with a slice of frozen lemon: such a drink will be beneficial for normalizing the acid-base balance and, with regular use, will relieve the harm of the effects of acidification of the body – acidosis.
How to freeze a lemon in the freezer
To keep lemons in the freezer for a long time, you need to properly prepare the fruit. For freezing, choose ripe fruits, without damage, dents, cuts. There should be no dark spots or punctures on the peel. The fruits are washed with warm water using a brush, dried and frozen:
- whole lemons;
- parts of fruits;
- zest and lemon juice.
To protect fruits from being adjacent to other products in the freezer, they are placed in bags with clips. Before closing the valve, excess air is removed.
How to Freeze a Whole Lemon
Whole fruits after freezing completely retain their beneficial properties. They are placed in the freezer, previously placed in bags. For defrosting, cold water is used, in which the fruits are dipped for 10 minutes, then they start cutting into circles or rubbing the zest.
After defrosting, citruses are used completely; re-freezing can deprive them of all their useful properties.
How to freeze lemon slices
Many housewives use lemon slices: it is convenient and saves space in the freezer. The method of freezing slices differs from whole freezing and includes 3 stages:
- The lemon is cut into slices, laid out on a pallet at a distance from each other.
- Put in the freezer for 2 hours.
- Frozen slices are pulled out and poured into a bag. Then they are put into the freezer for permanent storage.
Freezing lemon, grated
The benefits of a grated and then frozen lemon are no different from the benefits of a fruit that is frozen and then grated. Freezing grated mass saves time and freezer space. The mixture is placed in portioned containers and removed for freezing. Batch freezing is convenient for use. For preparation, the product is taken out of the freezer in advance.
Many housewives use mixtures with added sugar to freeze. In fact, sugar should be added after defrosting. The chemical reaction process between citrus parts and sucrose elements can lead to the loss of the beneficial properties of the mixture.
How to keep lemons in the freezer
In order for citrus fruits not to lose their beneficial properties, it is necessary not only to freeze them correctly, but also to defrost them. The choice of method depends on which parts are used.
type of product | Best before | Defrosting rules |
whole citrus | 3 – 4 months | Place for 10 min. into cold water |
A mixture of zest and pulp | 2 month | Leave for half an hour at room temperature |
Lobules | 2 – 3 months | Suitable for any method |
Lemon juice, zest | From 3 months (portions) | Leave for 10 min. at room temperature |
Limitations and contraindications
Despite freezing, citruses retain their properties, which may not be useful for some categories of people.
- Taking citrus can provoke an increase in the acidity of the stomach, therefore it is contraindicated during periods of exacerbation of diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, colitis.
- With individual intolerance, citrus can provoke an allergic reaction in the body.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the consumption of citrus fruits is recommended to be reduced so as not to provoke the development of allergies in the mother or child.
- Contraindication is children under 3 years of age.
Conclusion
Frozen lemon is a fruit with a set of useful qualities that are suitable for the treatment of many diseases. Proper preparation and freezing of citrus will not only preserve it for a long period, but also increase its ability to influence the processes occurring in the body.
