The Health Benefits Of Lemon And Lemon Water

Know about lemon

Lemon is a fruit gotten from one of the small evergreen tree belonging to the Citrus family.

It is a fruit that is native to Indian/China (South Asia) and has been grown in various parts of the world as time unfold.

It is believed to be a crossbreed of bitter orange and citron.

Its fruits are round and somewhat yellow. Its botanical name is Citrus limon.

This ellipsoidal yellow fruit is grown in several parts of the world for its extravagant uses which are both culinary and non-culinary.

Presently, Tucuman (Argentina) is believed to be the largest and highest producer of lemon fruit worldwide.

Argentina industrialized the production of lemon and has become the world-leading exporter of lemon juice, pulp, essential oil, and lemon peels.

Lemon and lime are closely related and belonging to the same Citrus family, they are often confused and mistaken.

Although both lemon and lime may be the closest relatives in the citrus family, they are very different and are easily distinguished by some characteristics.

They both have a similar shape (elliptical/oval), color (greenish-yellow), and sizes. However, lime produces more juice than lemon and lime tree produces all year round but the lemon tree produces once a year (annually).

Lemon skin is rough and glandular but lime skin is smooth and shiny.

Nutritional value of lemon

Carbohydrates 9.32 g
Sugars 2.5 g
Dietary fiber 2.8 g
Fat 0.3 g
Protein 1.1 g

Vitamins

Vitamin B1/Thiamine – 3%
Vitamin B2/Riboflavin – 2%
Vitamin B3/Niacin – 1%
Vitamin B5/Pantothenic acid – 4%
Vitamin B6/Pyridoxine – 6%
Vitamin B9/Folic acid – 3%
Vitamin C/Ascorbic acid – 64%

Minerals

Calcium – 3%
Iron- 5%
Magnesium- 2%
Manganese- 1%
Phosphorus- 2%
Potassium- 3%
Zinc- 1%

Uses of lemon

Lemon peel is used for the extraction of pectin- a gelling agent and stabilizer used in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
It is used for the production of costly essential oil
It is used for the production of flavor
It is used for the production of perfumes, deodorants, cosmetics and creams
It is used for cooking delicacies
It is used as a short term preservative
It is used for the production of juices and drinks
The juice is added to various food to improve the taste
It is used to garnish food and drinks
It can be sliced and served as desert
The leaves can be used to prepare tea

Medicinal value of lemon

Being acidic, it helps to prevent the development of kidney stones by increasing the pH and volume of urine thereby creating an unsuitable environment for the development of kidney stones.
It helps to check weight gain and prevent obesity as the pectin and fiber contents gives a feeling of a filled stomach and reduces the consumption of snacks
The carps content in the pulp of lemon helps to slow down the digestion of sugar thereby reducing the amount of blood sugar level
Lemon like most fruits and vegetables contains chemical substances that can destroy some cancerous cells thereby preventing and reducing the risk of cancer
It protects against the prevalence of anemia as it increases the absorption of iron present in the fruit.
Lemon contains no cholesterol. It therefore helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Its enormous vitamin C content helps in the absorption of calcium, selenium, and other minerals thereby promoting bone health and prevent scurvy.