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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, 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 in lemon
Citrus fruit is one of the lowest calorie. In 100 g of its pulp, there are only 34 kcal.
What vitamins are in lemon
Most of all, citrus fruit is valued for its high content of vitamins. Its pulp contains:
- B vitamins – B1 and B5, B6 and B9, B2;
- vitamin E;
- nicotinic acid, or vitamin PP;
- vitamin A;
- ascorbic acid.
If you eat fruit in the cold season, it will serve as an excellent prevention of colds and easily replace multivitamin complexes.
How much vitamin C in lemon
Among the vitamins present in the pulp of the fruit, ascorbic acid is the most famous. The product really contains quite a lot of vitamin C – about 40 mg, which is about half the daily requirement of this substance.
But contrary to popular belief, lemon is not at all the champion in the content of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is still present in it less than in parsley, kiwi or rose hips.
Contents of BJU
From the point of view of nutrients, the composition of the fruit is represented mainly by carbohydrates – about 3 g. Much less protein is present in citrus – no more than 0,9 g, and the proportion of fats is very small, only about 0,1 g.
Lemon glycemic index
There are very few sugary substances in the pulp of the fruit. Therefore, for diabetics, the fruit is quite safe, its glycemic index is 25 units.
What are the benefits of lemon for the body
The main useful 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 can:
- normalize metabolic processes and improve digestion;
- strengthen the heart system and improve brain function;
- speed up the work of a sluggish stomach and contribute to the rapid absorption of nutrients;
- replenish energy reserves and raise the 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.
The benefits of lemon for men
The benefits of lemon for the body of a man are very diverse. First of all, the fruit helps with malfunctions 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 in reducing sexual desire. Citruses are very useful for men during the planning period of a child, as they improve the quality of the genetic material.
Regular consumption of lemon fruits protects the body from the occurrence of heart and vascular diseases. Therefore, the presence of fruit in a constant 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 urogenital area. You can use its valuable properties with cystitis, with infectious diseases, with a breakdown against the background of painful periods. The dietary properties of the product are also highly valued by women; due to the 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.
Is it possible for pregnant women to lemon
Pregnant women experience a lack 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 you to cope with viral and bacterial infections without the use of pharmacological preparations. If you wonder if lemon is possible during pregnancy, then the answer will be unequivocal – not only possible, but also necessary.
The fruit has diuretic properties and helps to get rid of edema during pregnancy. You can use lemon slices during bouts 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 contributes to the normal development of the fetus in the mother’s womb.
Is lemon good for breastfeeding
During lactation, the benefits of the fruit become not so unambiguous. Despite the fact that it is still of great value to the mother, citrus fruit can cause a negative reaction in infants. The fact is that the product often causes allergies and leads to a rash and diarrhea in a child.
It is recommended to return the product to the diet six months after childbirth, and then on condition that neither the woman nor her immediate family and her husband are allergic to citrus fruits. It is necessary to start with 1 slice of fruit, carefully observing the reaction of the baby. If negative symptoms do not appear, then subsequently the volume of consumption can be increased.
At what age can lemon be given to children
Vitamins and organic acids in the composition of 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 it is possible to 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 helps lemon 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. Valuable substances in the composition of the product can bring a beneficial effect on a wide range of diseases, if you know how to properly use citrus fruit.
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 contributes to the destruction and removal of harmful salts from the body, the elimination of inflammation and swelling.
Lemon for gout is recommended to be consumed 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.
With colds
Ascorbic acid and other vitamins in the composition of citrus have a powerful resistance to viruses and infections, activate the immune system to fight colds and quickly reduce the temperature. At the first symptoms of SARS and influenza, it is recommended to eat 3-4 lemon slices throughout the day, just like that or at the same time as taking warm drinks. Lemon with a cold should be consumed until the disease subsides.
With angina
Inflammation and sore throat with angina are caused by the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. The antiseptic properties of lemon help to cope with the problem.
A quarter of fresh fruit is squeezed properly over a glass, 150 ml of water is added – and the throat is gargled hourly with the resulting solution. Lemon with angina should be used for 2-3 days, this time will be enough to eliminate the infection.
From 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 for nausea triggers a certain reaction in the body – it provokes the production of gastric juice and pancreatic enzyme. Thanks to this, nausea disappears in just 5-10 minutes and does not return for a long time.
In case of poisoning
Due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, lemon helps very quickly in case of poisoning, the fruit eliminates harmful bacteria and quickly removes their waste products from the body. This is, among other things, the benefits of citrus for the kidneys, it protects them from damage by toxic substances.
In case of poisoning, the fruit should be consumed as follows – first induce vomiting in order to cleanse the body directly of harmful substances. After that, several slices of citrus are squeezed and mixed with warm water, and then they drink the solution on an empty stomach every 3-4 hours.
Hangover
The next morning after a stormy feast, all body systems experience huge overloads, and the digestive organs, heart and blood vessels suffer the most from intoxication. Lemon for a hangover is of great benefit, as it restores the acid-base balance and contributes to the speedy removal of toxic substances.
The best effect of citrus fruit will be if you simply peel it, divide it into slices and eat it whole in the morning. If desired, lemon can be sprinkled with sugar, but it is best to use it in its pure form – then the effect will appear after 15 minutes. The fruit will relieve excess stress from the cardiac system and eliminate tachycardia, eliminate nausea and weakness.
With gastritis
The use of lemon for gastritis depends on the type and stage of the disease. With gastritis with high acidity and in the exacerbation phase, lemon should be completely excluded from the diet, it will irritate the mucous membranes and only aggravate the course of the disease. During the period of remission, fruit should be consumed with great care, in small quantities and not every day.
With gastritis with low acidity, citrus in moderation can 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.
With pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas is an absolute contraindication to the use of citrus fruit. Lemon with pancreatitis will cause harm in any quantities, the acids in its composition will irritate the pancreas.
Even during the period of remission, fruit should be consumed with increased caution. It is allowed to eat no more than 2 slices per day, while taking citrus can only be on a full stomach.
From cancer
Since lemon contains a large amount of vitamins, organic acids and flavonoids, traditional medicine highlights it as a good remedy for oncology. Lemon from cancer can be used both for prevention and in the treatment of an existing disease.
It is recommended every morning on an empty stomach to chew 3-4 slices of fresh citrus, if necessary, washing them down with water. Valuable substances in the composition of the lemon will prevent the growth of malignant tumors and strengthen the body’s natural forces to fight the disease.
With diabetes mellitus
The sour citrus fruit contains very little sugar and has a low glycemic index. Therefore, with diabetes, 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 for this disease, you can consume up to 1 lemon per day. In too large volumes, the fruit can cause harm, as it will provoke 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.
Lemon diuretic or not
The main part in the volume of a lemon is occupied by water, so the fruit belongs to the category of natural diuretics. It can be used to get rid of edema, for weight loss, to remove sand from the kidneys. By the strength of its action, the fruit is almost as good as pharmaceuticals, but it has a milder effect and therefore brings more benefits to the body.
Lemon choleretic or not
The benefits of lemon in traditional medicine recipes are also represented by its choleretic properties. When eating fruit, bile production increases, so the product brings 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. On their basis, they make healing tinctures and decoctions that help with diseases of the genitourinary system, inflammation and digestive disorders. The seeds contain the substance limonene and essential oil, therefore they have a powerful antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal effect. Stone-based products can be used for colds and inflammations, for fungus and worms.
Contrary to popular belief, lemon pips are not poisonous. However, it is still impossible to use them in large quantities. In the stomach, lemon seeds are not digested, they pass through the digestive tract as a whole and, accordingly, can cause mechanical damage to the mucous membranes.
The benefits and harms of dried lemons
Fresh fruits spoil rather quickly, but harvesting according to a special scheme helps to keep a lemon for several months. For example, a dried lemon is a tasty and healthy delicacy, its slices are first boiled in sugar, and then dried until the moisture is 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.
Although sun-dried lemons taste much milder and more pleasant than fresh fruits, they still need to be consumed in limited quantities. In excessive dosages, a 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 made from lemons is slices dried in the oven or in 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 are not as acidic as fresh lemons, so they are easier and more enjoyable to eat. They are beneficial for colds, help with nausea and poisoning, strengthen the heart and improve brain function. However, the delicacy should not be abused, in too large quantities, dried slices can provoke an allergic rash or diarrhea.
Benefits of lemon for skin
Useful properties of lemon are used in home cosmetology. Citrus fruits perfectly help with acne, blackheads and blackheads, whiten the skin of the face and regulate its fat content.
With increased oily skin, it is recommended to wipe the 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 consume lemon every day, the fruit will not do harm, but it 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 useful 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 the use of 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 highly acidic fruit, in some situations it can harm even a healthy stomach. In particular, the benefits and harms of a lemon on an empty stomach are ambiguous; in no case should you consume the fruit in a state of severe hunger, this will lead to heartburn, pain and even vomiting.
Another dangerous property of lemon is a negative effect on tooth enamel. Sour fruit increases the sensitivity of the teeth, 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 eating fruit, care must be taken, since the beneficial properties of citrus can easily turn into harm when dosages are exceeded.
