Lemon is an essential fruit in the kitchen, and for more than one, it is also essential in their day to day. Throughout this text we are going to learn the benefits, properties and contraindications of lemon. This fruit is wrapped in many doubts and divides the world between people who love it and people who hate it, who will win?
Many of us know someone who takes a slice of lemon every morning or there is someone who squeezes half a lemon into a glass of water. These customs have their logic, and although it is not suitable for everyone, it is true that lemon helps us in our day to day.
The most common thing is water with lemon, in fact, many celebrities, when they talk about their morning routines, usually make a small mention of this characteristic drink and here we are going to give the data on why it is so common.
Nutritional properties of lemon
Lemon is one of the most recognized citrus fruits in the world. A yellow, sour fruit that makes us laugh every time a child tries it for the first time. Given how complete this fruit is, it could be considered a superfood, but we better leave that for other fruits and foods.
This citrus contains 27,66 grams of kilocalories, 3,16 grams of carbohydrates, 0,69 grams of vegetable protein, almost 5 grams of fiber and 0,3 grams of fat. Likewise, this beautiful and fragrant yellow fruit has minerals such as sodium, calcium (11 mg), iron, phosphorus and potassium (170 mg).
Lemons contain vitamins A, B, and C , specifically vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C. An interesting fact about this citrus fruit and its vitamins is that a single lemon provides almost 57% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Lemon benefits
They are not few, nor are they valid for everyone, we will see some exceptions in the contraindications section. Now we are going to focus on the positive and that is that lemon is full of benefits for our body and the higher the purity, the better. In other words, a glass of water with half a lemon is not the same as adding a few drops to a meal.
strengthened immune system
As a cocktail of essential vitamins and minerals, our body, and especially our immune system, is supported, strengthened and able to face almost any external agent thanks to the enhanced activity of white blood cells.
The cold of winter or the first rains of autumn, sudden changes in temperature and others that cause colds, colds, flu, sore throats, herpes, sores and days of fever. All this can be remitted thanks to the refreshing and antiseptic properties of this yellow colored fruit.
Nor should we base our health on drinking water with lemon or adding lemon to everything. Let's not take these benefits of lemon to an extreme either.
maximum hydration
Despite its acidity, it is a fantastic moisturizer for the body. The problem is that we are used to lowering that acidity with sugar. We have to change this custom, since free sugar is harmful to health, and by creating spikes in blood glucose, the body will ask for more liquid. Hence, traditional lemonades do not quench our thirst as much as we hope.
Lemon water, apart from being a detox drink and maintaining the PH balance in the body, provides us with a lot of hydration.
To stay hydrated we can make healthy lemonade (one part of lemon for every two of water and a pinch of sugar), tea with lemon, lemon juice ice cream, etc.
Heart, liver and kidneys
Taking lemon regularly helps keep the kidneys, liver and heart healthy. This is because this fruit exerts a beneficial action on the cardiovascular system when we are patients with hypertension or arteriosclerosis, since the antioxidants help to eliminate fat and dissolve toxic substances in the blood.
Regarding the liver, it helps cleanse this organ and prevent disease. Lemon stimulates bile secretion and helps eliminate fat from food and fat stored in the liver.
The kidneys will be fully operational if we add a glass of lemon water to our morning routine. This is thanks to the fact that it prevents the appearance of stones in the urinary system.
How much can I take each day?
We will see the side effects and contraindications of excess lemon in the next section. Now let's focus on the maximum recommended amount per day. The most appropriate thing is to know ourselves, so that the recommendation is something standardized, without going into each personal case.
The maximum recommended daily intake is 120 ml of natural lemon juice diluted with water. As we mentioned, this amount isn't suitable for everyone. Remember that lemon is a very potent citrus fruit, and if you have a sensitive stomach or consume too much juice, you could experience an unpleasant situation.
If we see that it hurts us, let's not continue insisting. We can change the natural juice by mixing a little lemon in a cake, cookies, or not taking it as aid. It is essential that we do not force our body, since we could cause injuries to the stomach.
Contraindications of lemon
It is not recommended to consume lemon on an empty stomach if you suffer from any stomach disorder or have a sensitive stomach. Furthermore, excessive lemon consumption can cause severe and unpleasant digestive problems, muscle cramps, diarrhea, throat and esophageal irritation , etc.
Lemon juice, because the yellow peel is not eaten, it is only used to decorate pastries and sometimes as an ingredient in cake batter, it can cause heartburn, frequent urination, gas, stomach pain and even diarrhea if taken in you fast
The vitamin C that a lemon provides is almost 57% of the recommended daily amount. By this we mean that an excess of vitamin C causes nausea, diarrhea, kidney stones, heartburn, etc. Vitamin C is not stored, it is destroyed in the urine, but if we exceed it a lot and over time, it can cause adverse side effects.
Biting into a lemon directly can damage tooth enamel , which is why we recommend rinsing your mouth after biting into the fruit or drinking the juice to eliminate excess acidity. If we do this every day, we could eventually experience tooth sensitivity, thinning teeth, and a yellowing of the color.