7 Surprising Health Benefits of Lemons

Health Benefits of Lemons

While you wouldn't grab a lemon and eat it whole as a snack, lemons are powerhouses for enhancing other foods, both in flavor, and in health benefits. Scientifically known as Citrus limon, this is the fruit most associated with happiness, sunshine, and hot summer days. It's commonly known that lemons are rich in Vitamin C, but there are other health benefits that are not so well-known.  

1. Lemons May Help Prevent Cancer - The human body is designed to be slightly alkaline at a pH of 7.4. (A pH of 7.0 is neutral).  Most foods consumed by Americans are very acidic which upsets our ideal pH balance. Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods we can consume.  Although acidic outside of the body, once consumed the human body converts it to an alkalizing state.  Cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment.   Eating more alkaline foods increases oxygen to our cells which starves off cancer.  Drinking filtered water with lemon daily is a great way to ensure we are getting that extra boost of protection in a toxic world.

2.  Reduces Inflammation - Fruits rich in Vitamin C help to reduce inflammation in two or more joints, as presented in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.  Low-level inflammation is the underlying cause of disease.  Adding lemon juice to your daily diet decreases the acidity in your body which is where disease states occur.  It reduces uric acid in the joints, therefore can help reduce and prevent certain forms of arthritis among other illnesses.

3.  Helps Improve and Eliminate Varicose Veins - Lemon oil has vessel-strengthening properties that help reduce both varicose veins and spider veins.  This can be applied topically with a pure essential oil as well as ingested.  For vessel-rejuvenating, the lemon oil can be applied to a warm bath.

4.  Reduces Hypertension - In addition to garlic and onions, lemons, being high in potassium, also add a powerful punch in reducing hypertension. Lemon juice acts as a blood thinner and prevents thinning of the capillaries, along with increasing levels of HDL (good cholesterol).

5. Can Fix Bad Breath - No one wants to be walking around with halitosis. Lemons can help freshen breath by ensuring that the salivation levels remain constant.  This can be done by either chewing on a lemon slice after every meal or rinsing several times a day with lemon juice and warm water.

6. Can Stimulate Digestion - Typically used in Ayurvedic medicine, lemon juice has been used to stimulate digestion and clear toxins that were accumulated and stored in the digestive tract overnight.  The flavonols in this citrus fruit is what stimulates this response, and can help improve the stomach's hydrochloric-acid strength, which assists in breaking down food more efficiently.   Being an anti-bacterial, it helps your stomach and intestines fight off infections and assists with elimination.  A bonus benefit is it helps to reduce symptoms of indigestion including gas and bloating.

7. Can Help Break a Fever - Lemons can help break a fever by increasing perspiration.  It's anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties help move along the natural course of the fever more quickly.

Lemon Water

The easiest way to ensure you are getting enough lemon is to start your day by drinking a glass of lemon water.  A pure essential oil works just as well if not better as the oil is cold-pressed from the lemon rind itself (which actually has more vitamins and nutrients than the lemon juice).  Drinking a glass of lemon water daily is one of the most simple, effective, and sustainable changes you can make for a healthy lifestyle.  Keeping a stocked pantry of lemons for your food is then just icing on the cake!  

For more health benefits, check out this site:  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/16-health-benefits-of-lemons.html

What is your favorite  way to use lemons?

Be well,

Janelle

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