Have any of you ever wondered why the English are nicknamed “Limeys”? This is because for years, English ships were required by Law to carry enough Lemons or Limes for each sailor to have an Ounce daily after being 10 days at sea. To prevent Scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency disease.
I owe my love of Lemons to the Health Awareness Centre. Thank you. We all feel that Lemons cause acidity but actually when we ingest lemons, they alkalinise our body. Diseases do not thrive in an Alkaline environment
The Great Benefit of Lemons.
- Sore Throats : When we have a sore throat, we should Gargle with Warm water, Lemon, a pinch of Turmeric and Honey. It helps in recovering faster due to Lemons Anti-bacterial qualities.
- Aids Digestion : Drinking Lemon water as a daily morning laxative helps prevent Constipation as it gets your digestive system moving.
- Prevents Kidney Stones : It is seen that the Citric acid in Lemons may help prevent Kidney stones by increasing Urine Volume and increasing Urine PH
(making the System more Alkaline), hence preventing in Kidney stone formation.
- Helps Iron Absorption in the Body: Lemons contain some Iron and also helps improving absorption of Iron from plant foods, which helps in preventing Anaemia (Iron from Non-vegetarian sources is easily absorbed in the Gut. However Iron from Vegetarian sources can be improved by the intake of Vitamin C and Citric Acid found in Lemons).
- Reduces Blood Sugar: Lemons are made up of about 10 percent Carbohydrates, mostly in the form of Soluble fibre and Simple sugars. Soluble fibre can slowdown the Digestion of Sugars and Starches – resulting in reduced Blood sugar levels.
- Helps Control Weight : the Soluble Pectin fiber in Lemons expands in your stomach, helping you feel full for longer. This ensures satiety and helps prevent snacking soon after your meal.
- Supports Heart Health : Vitamin C reduces the risk of Heart Disease and Stroke (One large Lemon contains 31 mg of Vitamin C which is 50% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C). Apart from Vitamin C, the fibre and Plant Compounds in Lemons could also lower the risk factors for Heart Disease.
- Personally, my own High Blood Pressure is under contol due to my abundant use of lemon. Instead of overloading your food with Salt, squeeze Lemon juice liberally on your cooked food.
- Useful in Fever and treating Colds: Having Lemon juice (with a few drops of ginger juice) helps in symptoms of Cold and Flu.
- Improves Skin Quality : A study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition concluded that people who consumed more Vitamin C from lemons have less risk of Dry and Wrinkled skin.
- Freshens Breath : Lemon is thought to stimulate saliva, so having Lemon and Water immediately after meals neutralizes odors from the strong smelling foods.
- Helps in Burns: Using Lemon juice on the site of old burns can help fade the scars, and reduces the burning sensation while you have an irritating burn.
- Anti-oxidant and Cancer fighting properties : Due to presence of Flavonoids in Lemons.
- Lemons also contain Vitamin A, B6 and E, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid. Lemons are also rich in Minerals like Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc and Phosphorus.
Please do increase intake of Lemons in your diet for Better Health and Alkalinity.
In 1903, Maud Grieve in ‘A Modern Herbal’ said – “It is probable that the Lemon is the most valuable out of all fruits for Preserving Health.”