When most people think of lemons, they think of them as a simple garnish served with water at fancy restaurants. But were you aware that lemons are actually full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and propose a variety of health benefits? From fighting cancer to promoting weight loss, lemons have proven to be more than just a sour-tasting fruit.
When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade; instead, skip the sugar and mix water and lemon together to reap the many benefits of this powerful citrus fruit.
Botanical Name of Lemon
Lemons are known botanically as Citrus limon Osbeck and have been used for more than a hundred years for their diverse healing capacities. It is said that the early explorers took lemons on their voyages to help prevent and treat scurvy, which is a serious condition that results from a vitamin C deficiency.
Botanical Family of Lemon
The lemon is a species of a small evergreen tree in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, which is native to Asia. The name Limonum is derived from the Arabic word Limun or Limu, which comes from the Sanskrit name Nimbuka. There are many varieties of this fruit, the principal ones are lemon, citron, and lime.
What Are Lemons?
Everyone has heard of and used lemons at one point in their life, but for those who haven’t, a lemon is the yellow fruit of an evergreen tree that is found throughout Asia. They’re indigenous to Northern India and widely cultivated in Mediterranean countries. But it has been used all over the world for it’s purifying capabilities. Lemon juice, especially, has many health benefits associated with it. It’s known as a very effective treatment for kidney stones and is known to lower body temperature and reduce the risk of strokes.
Different parts of this fruit — the pulp, juice, and rind — are popularly used in cooking. The juice is also used to make lemonade and lemon water, which are both refreshing drinks that can help you stay cool and calm during the summer heat.
Active Ingredients Found in Lemon
Lemons are rich in vitamin C. They also contain an essential oil made up of several biologically active compounds including the following:
- Isopulegol
- Alpha-bergamontene
- Alpha-pinene
- Alpha-terpinene
- Alpha-thujene
- Beta-bisolobene
- Beta-bergamontene
- Beta-phellandrene
- Citral
- Limonene
- Sabinene
- Pectin
- Potassium
- Calcium
Health Benefits of Lemon
Lemon has been recommended for a wide range of ailments and includes the following health benefits:
- Promotes heart health
- Helps fight cancer
- Improves skin health
- Promotes hair growth
- Boosts iron absorption
- Prevents kidney stones
- Enhances immunity
Lemons have antioxidant properties because of their high vitamin C content. Since they are high in antioxidants, they have the ability to protect your immune cells by neutralizing harmful free radicals while keeping your body free from infections caused by viruses and bacteria.
Research shows that lemons may be useful in rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and high blood cholesterol. Ayurveda recommends the use of lemon for jaundice and as a way to promote hair growth.
Different Ways to Consume Lemon
Lemon juice must be used fresh for best results. It may be used as salad dressing, on fruits, or to season rice dishes. Lemon juice and honey mixed with warm water is a popular remedy for losing weight.
Externally, lemon juice is used alone or mixed with herbs to improve skin texture and complexion.
Side Effects of Lemons
Lemons are generally safe for use. Certain conditions or over-consumption of lemon may not fare well for some individuals. For example, the peel is rich in oxalates that tend to cause health problems when they accumulate in the body, so too much of the peel could be an issue. The lemon peel should be avoided by persons with kidney stones or gallbladder problems. Consult with your doctor to see if adding lemon to your daily diet would be beneficial for you.
Quick FAQs
How many lemons should you use for 1 liter of water?
It’s recommended to add 1/4 to 1/2 a fresh-squeezed lemon into 12 to 16 ounces of water. For one liter you should be used 1/2 to 1 full lemon for daily use.
How much lemon should you consume a day?
You should exceed no more than 2 lemons a day.
How much lemon juice is in half a lemon?
On average, one lemon has 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in it. So, half a lemon contains 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
References
1 Pereira C, Barros L, Vilas-Boas M, Ferreira IC. Potentiating effects of honey on antioxidant properties of lemon-flavoured black tea. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013 Mar;64(2):230-4. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2012.713916. Epub 2012 Aug 3. PubMed PMID:22856394.
2 Ademosun AO, Oboh G. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain in vitro by some citrus fruit juices. J Med Food. 2012 May;15(5):428-34. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0226. Epub 2012 Mar 8. PubMed PMID: 22400910.
