Lemon Benefits And Side Effects: Healthy Or Unhealthy?

Lemon Benefits And Side Effects: What are lemon’s health benefits and side effects? Almost everyone loves to consume lemon with its pleasant smell, sour taste, and vibrant color.

About Lemon

Where the lemon first came into being is not completely clear — however, it’s believed to have originated in northern India over a thousand years ago.

The lemon is a cross between several other citrus fruits, probably the thick-skinned lemon and the bitter orange.

The lemon is first clearly mentioned around 1000 AD. At that time, in the Mediterranean region and China.

From the 13th century onwards, the lemon gets cultivated in Spain and southern Italy.

Sour lemon juice already played a specific role in the kitchen of the Middle Ages.

In the 16th century, the cultivation of all kinds of citrus plants became very popular in Europe. In winter, they brought the sensitive plants into specially made houses.

Nowadays, orangeries often provide rooms for cultural events.

Nowadays, the lemon is cultivated in many warm regions of the world and is an essential fruit in world trade because of its fruity acidity.

Health Benefits of Lemon

Lemon, which is a complete source of vitamin C, has a lot of health benefits.

The precious nutritional values of the lemon, vitamins, and minerals help and support many diseases that play a significant role in health treatment.

The benefits of lemon, such as the citrus family, are very high due to the chemicals it contains and the high percentage of vitamin C.

Lemon, which is also a powerful antioxidant, is considered anti-carcinogenic.

Lemon, which we squeeze a lot into our tea, soup, and salads, strengthens the immune system, helps to weaken, and relieves fatigue, such as many features are beneficial for our health.

It is a food that almost everyone enjoys with its wide variety of vitamins, pleasant smell, and sour taste.

What are the health benefits of lemons?

Lemons get known for their medicinal properties for hundreds of years – especially as a remedy for scurvy among the explorers who were the first to sail the vast oceans. Today, you can hardly get scurvy anymore, but lemons have more to offer.

Lemon contains a lot of vitamin C

It’s known that citrus fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, and lemons are no exception: a lemon already contains half the recommended daily dose. Of course, you don’t eat one just like that, but with suitable recipes, it will be much easier to cover your everyday needs with it.

Lemon can reduce the risk of stroke.

A study by the American Heart Association has shown that women who eat a lot of citrus fruits (including lemons) can reduce their risk of stroke by up to 19%. The exact figure depends on the amount consumed.

Lemon can prevent asthma.

Researchers are currently investigating the link between vitamin C consumption and asthma. One study has shown that vitamin C relaxes the airways and may alleviate asthma symptoms.

Lemon improves the absorption of iron.

Iron deficiency, which can start anemia, is one of the most common deficiency symptoms in the First World. The main symptom of anemia is a constant, paralyzing feeling of exhaustion. If you eat foods high in vitamin C – for example, lemons – it helps your body get as much iron as possible from your diet.

Lemon can protect against infections.

Foods rich in vitamin C help our immune system fight viruses and bacterial infections. Most of us are also familiar with vitamin C to treat colds – the evidence is still unclear. Still, studies have shown that vitamin C is also effective against cholera and candida infections.

Lemon can curb appetite.

Lemon water enjoys excellent popularity as part of diets. Many fans of the lemon use it to control their hunger. Lemons, like most fruits, contain pectin – a kind of fiber. Fiber fills your stomach, making you feel fuller for longer.

However, we believe that the effect of such a small amount of juice is negligible. The amount of fiber you consume in this way is minimal, so in this case, the placebo effect is probably at work.

Lemon protects the urinary tract.

Lemons are diuretic and therefore have a diuretic effect. They also change the pH of the urinary tract so that the conditions for bacteria deteriorate. Both of these factors help to prevent infections of the urinary tract.

Lemons also keep your kidneys healthy. Citric acid can dissolve painful kidney stones. In one study, lemon juice gets successfully used to treat a type of kidney stone.

Lemon refreshes their breath.

Lemon water refreshes the breath. Its antiseptic properties can kill harmful bacteria in the mouth. In one study, good results get achieved with essential lemon oil. (Other edible oils are tea tree oil, oregano oil, and clove oil)

Lemon supplies your body with potassium.

Lemons contain a healthy dose of potassium, an element that is important for the health of the heart, nerves, and muscles.

Lemon relieves inflammation

It has got proven that lemons have an anti-inflammatory effect. In one study, the pulp of fruits gets used to treat inflammation in experimental animals. They reduced the symptoms by 73.5%.

Lemon can protect against cancer.

Many types of fruit are rich in antioxidant ingredients called flavonoids. A study that specifically looked at flavonoids in citrus fruits found that they could mainly reduce the risk of esophageal cancer.

Lemon keeps the heart healthy.

A considerable number of researches show the protective effect of lemon on the cardiovascular system. Especially worth mentioning is its ingredient, limonin, which lowers bad cholesterol in the blood.

Lemon can protect against arthritis.

The anti-inflammatory effect of lemons could protect against inflammatory polyarthritis (a type of rheumatoid arthritis). People who eat a diet low in vitamin C have a three times higher risk of gout than those who take a lot of vitamin C.

Lemon can slow down the aging of the skin.

Vitamin C is involved in the production of collagen – a protein that keeps the skin firm and supple. A specific American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study has shown that regular vitamin C consumption leads to younger-looking skin and fewer wrinkles.

Lemon water keeps skin moisturized.

Lemon water is an excellent alternative to a high-calorie sports drink. It contains electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium and keeps you well hydrated.

The Physical effects of consuming Lemons

Disinfecting and cleaning
Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antibacterial, and antiviral
Increases the body’s defenses, therefore very popular as a cold remedy (lemon juice in water or tea with a bit of honey)
Lemon juice is helpful for sore throat, inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums, and aphthae.
Calming and relaxing
As a compress, it relieves itching with eczema or skin rashes
Stimulates the lymph flow and strengthens the veins
As a bath (do not use more than three drops!), refreshing and purifying at the same time
Psychic effect
Psychologically very stimulating
Increases the mental performance
Increases the concentration capacity
Strengthens attention at work
Lowers the rate of typing errors in the scent lamp in offices
Helpful in case of mental exhaustion and associated lack of concentration

The advantages of eating pure lemon

Citrus fruits are particularly popular as juice—the ginger-lemon shots during the cold season, which get produced with the help of a citrus press. Pure lemon is exceptionally healthy and can support your health.

Around 100 grams of lemon contains about 53 milligrams of vitamin C. It benefits the immune system and also supports the body’s wound healing.
Lemons stimulate the appetite, have an antibacterial effect, and ensure that the body can better absorb iron.
Also, lemons help relieve cramps and have an expectorant effect in the case of colds. Its often used as a hot lemon.
Citrus fruits also stimulate metabolism and digestion.

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Why is lemon water so healthy?

Lemon water is not only wonderfully refreshing but also really healthy. We will give you a few good reasons to drink a glass of it every day and what you should bear in mind when preparing it.

The consumption of lemon water has been part of Ayurvedic nutrition for centuries. Due to its fast and easy preparation, it can be integrated perfectly into a healthy everyday life.

When should you drink lemon water?

Its recommended to drink a glass of freshly prepared lemon water every morning immediately after getting up. Ideally, you should remain at least 15 minutes before having breakfast.

What does lemon water do?

Several great reasons include consuming lemon water in your morning ritual because lemon provides the body with healthy ingredients such as vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, citric acid, and pectin.

Lemon water hydrates

Overnight the moisture stores of our body empty themselves. A glass of lemon water ensures that the liquid reserves get replenished in the morning.

Lemon water promotes digestion.

The acidity of lemon stimulates the liver’s bile production, which positively affects fat burning in the body.

Lemon water helps with weight loss.

Lemon water is no guarantee for weight loss. However, the fiber pectin in lemon limits fat absorption in the body and ensures a longer-lasting feeling of satiety by swelling the stomach.

Lemon water strengthens the immune system.

Due to their Vimatin C content, lemons have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects, thus helping to improve our immune system.

Lemon water supports the absorption of iron.

Anyone suffering from iron deficiency should drink lemon water when eating iron-containing foods. The vitamin C it contains promotes the intake of the mineral in the body.

Lemon water deacidifies the body.

Lemon is a sour-tasting fruit. Its metabolized in the body as alkaline. It contributes to the deacidification of the body — a proven means to prevent heartburn and bloat.

Lemon water helps against joint pain.

The ingredients of Lemon help dissolve painful uric acid deposits that are responsible for aching joints.

Lemon water cleanses the liver and kidneys.

The citrate contained in lemons dissolves kidney stones and prevents the formation of new kidney stones. It also activates the liver enzymes and thus boosts detoxification.

Side effects of lemon

Lemon is one of the various well-known citrus fruits used in every region of the world for many purposes and healing, but many of us are unaware of the side effects of lemon juice.

Lemon juice has a variety of nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, carbohydrates, and flavonoids.

Consuming lemon juice gives your body some essential nutrients and antioxidants. But side effects should not be ignored as well as benefits.

Lemon has acidic properties and can cause some adverse reactions in people with certain health conditions.

Here are the side effects of lemon juice.

Unhealthy and Broken teeth

The acid in lemon can attack the enamel and make the teeth sensitive. Run your tongue over your teeth and test if the surface feels rough. If it does, it could be due to broken enamel. If you don’t want to do without lemon in the water, experts recommend drinking the water through a straw to have less contact with the teeth.

Upset stomach

The sour lemon juice can trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease, whereby the gastric acid runs back into the esophagus. Symptoms can include severe heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.

Infected lemon peel can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

A study published in the “Journal of Environmental Health” showed that the rind of lemons in more than 21 restaurants was getting contaminated with harmful bacteria. The E. Coli virus can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Wash the skin of the lemon with hot water to minimize the risk of infection. You can eliminate the threat squeeze the lemon juice and putting it into the water instead of a piece with the peel.

Aphthae in the mouth (Canker sore)

Inflammations in the oral cavity are highly unpleasant and promoted by too much lemon water. If it is too late, you should avoid lemon water or acidic foods altogether because they slow down the healing process.

Lemon can trigger a migraine.

Citrus fruits, in general, can be a trigger for migraine attacks. The results of numerous studies have shown this.

As already mentioned, lemon juice can only be harmful to health in larger quantities. If you only want to spice up your water with a few slices of lemon, you do not need to worry.

Lemon Juice Diet Benefits and Side Effects

Is a lemon juice diet healthy?

There is no question that lemons are healthy because everyone who has ever had a cold will have certainly gotten back on track with tropical fruit. Lemons are known to contain a lot of vitamin C, and this is said to be responsible for the fact that the kilos fall. Vitamin C stimulates the burning of fat in the body and ensures a fast metabolism, and that is all that a diet should achieve.

There are good reasons why doctors advise against a lemon juice diet.

No matter how insensitive the stomach is, it will not tolerate this diet over a long period. The citric acid attacks the stomach walls, leading to excruciating stomach cramps. It’s especially the case if you decide to go for the variant with cayenne pepper. The sour lemon and the hot pepper slow down the hunger but are a rather dangerous combination from a health point of view.
If you drink a lot of lemon juice, you will eventually feel a numb feeling in your mouth because even the sensitive mucous membrane of the mouth cannot withstand the acidity of the lemons for long.
Besides, drinking a lot during a lemon juice diet often means going to the toilet due to a lot of liquid. So if you have to stand in a shop or sit in an office all day, you might want to try a different diet.

You should pay attention to this if you want to eat lemons pure

Nothing stops you from consuming lemons, as they offer numerous health benefits. However, it is essential to check beforehand whether you can tolerate the fruit pure.

Some people have problems with the acid contained in the citrus fruit.
Lemon can lead to stomach aches, among other things. At the same time, the enamel can get threatened, so you should brush your teeth about an hour after eating a lemon.
Therefore, try only a small piece first and examine how your body reacts to the acid.
If you don’t find any problems, you can tolerate the lemon, and there is nothing to stop you from eating it.
Irritation of the skin and mucous membranes
Allergies should be dosed carefully during external treatment
Photosensitization may cause irritation or unpleasant spots on sensitive skin due to uneven tanning

List of different usages of lemon

Lemon in cosmetics

For refreshing toilet water, perfumes (e.g., Eau de Cologne), and deodorants.
For the care of oily, impure skin and the treatment of acne
Stimulating, firming, strengthening, and skin cleansing
It is supposed to counteract skin aging
It has a weakly bleaching effect and can lighten dull, blotchy skin
As an additive to shampoos for greasy hair
Athletes highly appreciate them as invigorating and refreshing massage oil.
Component of many cleaning agents and room sprays

Lemon against flatulence and constipation

Lemons stimulate digestion, stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid in the body, and are very helpful against flatulence. Mix the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon in a cup with warm water and drink in the morning on an empty stomach and in the afternoon.

Lemon against unpleasant foot odor

Lemons help to rebalance the body’s pH and thus remove unpleasant body odor. They also have an antiseptic and antifungal effect and help with nail and foot fungus. Fill a foot tub or bucket with some water, add the freshly squeezed juice of a lemon and dip your feet in it for 20 minutes. Then rinse and pat dry thoroughly. Repeat the application four times a week.

Lemon protects against lumps in brown sugar.

Brown sugar should be stored in an airtight container in an excellent place to prevent the sugar from drying out and clumping. Besides, two small pieces of lemon peel in the sugar can be beneficial to prevent the sugar from clumping together.

Lemon removes lime residue in the kettle.

The acidic characteristic of lemons helps to remove stubborn lime residue in kettles, sinks, and various kitchen utensils. Fruits also provide a fresh fragrance and a beautiful shine. Fill the pot with distilled water to the maximum level. Cut two to three lemons into pieces and put them into the kettle. Bring the water to a boil, then set aside to cool. When the pot has cooled down again, clean it with a soft brush, rinse with water, and wipe dry with a cloth.

Lemon against stubborn dirt in the kitchen

The acidic property of lemons acts as a natural fat and stain remover. Deposits, dirt, and unpleasant odors in the oven and microwave can easily remove. Mix a handful of baking soda with the freshly squeezed juice of six lemons. Use a sponge to spread the paste throughout the oven and let it work for two hours. Then wipe the oven with a sponge, clean water, and some washing-up liquid. Baking grids and oven glasses can also clean with the paste.

Lemon against nausea

Lemons soothe the body, stimulate digestion, and are very good against nausea. For the application: Mix the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon in a glass with warm water and drink every morning on an empty stomach.

Lemons for better sleep

The fresh lemon aroma calms the body and mind and helps to reduce anxiety. It also ensures better and restful sleep. Before moving to the bed, boil one-two cup of water, add the freshly squeezed juice of one lemon, and inhale the ascending fragrance for ten minutes deep through the nose. After inhaling, the lemon water can be drunk.

Stimulate detoxification in the body with lemon

Lemons contain various vitamins and antioxidants that support the natural detoxification processes in the body. They help balance the body’s pH and flush harmful toxins from the body. Mix the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon in a cup with warm water and drink on an empty stomach in the morning. Lemon water can also be drunk during the day. Put a few slices of lemon in a glass bottle and drink it throughout the day.

Lightening hair with lemon

The bleaching effect of lemons helps to lighten the hair naturally. Use 200 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice with two tablespoons of melted coconut oil, one tablespoon of honey, and 50 ml of water. Moisten the hair well under lukewarm water, spread the lemon mixture on the nose, and massage it well. Wrap hair in a shower cap and a warm terry towel and leave the mixture to work for 20 minutes. Then rinse the hair with lukewarm water. Repeat the application a maximum of two times a month, as the acidity of the lemon can attack the hair and dry it out.

Use lemon as nail polish remover.

Lemons are a good alternative for nail polish remover. They also have an antibacterial effect and reduce a yellow tinge on the nails—mix three tablespoons of lemon juice with three tablespoons of vinegar. Soak nails in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. Soak a cotton ball in the lemon vinegar mixture and place it on the nails for 20-30 seconds. Then clean the nails with a clean cotton ball and the lemon vinegar mixture.

Remove pesticides with lemon.

The acidic attribute of lemons helps remove most pesticides from fruits and vegetables. Washing with regular tap water is often not enough to eliminate the harmful pesticides. Drain one tablespoon of lemon juice into a cup with two tablespoons of baking soda and mix well. Emit the water into a spray bottle and then spray the fruit and vegetables. Allow the solution to work for a few minutes, then rinse and wipe off with a paper towel.

Lemons against ants and fleas

The refreshing smell of fruits scares off ants. Put freshly juiced lemon water in a bowl. Soak a washcloth in this mixture and rub it into all areas where ants are always present. Repeat the application daily until the ants have entirely disappeared.

The acidic property of lemons also helps kill fleas and their eggs. To use: Cut two fruits into thin slices, put them in a pot of water, and bring to a boil. Remove the extract from the stove and let it stand overnight. The following day, strain the solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the key on your pet’s fur, and then comb it thoroughly with a flea comb. Repeat the application as required.

There are several ways to integrate lemons into everyday life. When buying fruits, organic lemons should be preferred mainly.

Lemon loosens up rice.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes the rice lose, fluffy and keeps it white. Only add one tablespoon of lemon juice to the water and rice in the pot before boiling and cook the rice as usual. The lemon taste in the finished rice is very subtle.

Clean the cutting board with lemon

Lemons have an antibacterial effect, remove stains, and help to reduce unpleasant odors on cutting boards. Spread a little salt on the cutting board and rub the entire cutting board with half a lemon. Then rinse the cutting board with lukewarm water. Lemons can also use to clean a cheese grater.

Clean with lemon tile and bathtub

A combination of salt and lemon juice is easy to remove soap residue and grease from the sink, bath, and pipes. Halve the lemon, sprinkle salt on each half, and use it to clean the bathroom. Let the lemon juice work for a few minutes, and then rinse with clean water.

Conclusion

Please talk to your doctor to gather the best advice and information about lemon’s benefits and side effects.