20 Health Benefits of Lemons

It’s no surprise to most of us that lemons provide a good amount of vitamin C. However, we may not know that the amount of vitamin C per serving is a whopping 187% of the daily value, making it a very impressive infection fighter. Lemons contain flavonoid glycosides –hesperetin and naringenin — and it’s this combination that provides free-radical bashing activity. Free radicals are known for doing severe damage to blood vessels and contribute to the build-up of cholesterol in artery walls, atherosclerosis, and overall heart disease. Hesperidin and its aglycone hesperetin, two citrus flavonoids found primarily in oranges and lemons, have shown multiple beneficial effects, such as anticarcinogenic, antihypertensive, antiviral, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory.

Even though lemons have a very acidic and sour taste — that makes you pucker—wrinkle your face, squint your eyes, and press your lips together –, they have a powerful alkaline reaction on the body. Lemons can help alkalize blood, cells, lymph, organs, and tissues. Lemons can also help eliminate putrefactive bacteria in the mouth and intestines — which may help alleviate flatulence, indigestion, and constipation. Lemons contain a compound called limonene, which is often used to dissolve gallstones and kidney stones and help fight oral, lung, skin, breast, stomach, and colon cancer.

Lemons provide a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, iron, and magnesium. They are also a great source of fiber, calcium, potassium, copper, folate, and the outstanding phytochemical limonene. It’s important to note that there is a definite nutritional difference between raw lemons and bottled lemon juice. The amount of vitamin C in bottled lemon juice goes down from 139% to about 100% of the daily value per serving, and the calcium from 7% down to 3%. Bottled lemon juice also contains very high amounts of fructose and toxic additives.

Lemons are an excellent ingredient to incorporate into fresh juices. They contain virtually no fructose, which can cause a myriad of metabolic difficulties. Lemons are spectacular at eliminating the offending bitter taste of some of the dark, deep green leafy vegetables – you know, the ones that provide most of the nutritional benefits of juicing. A reminder that when making fresh juices, juice the whole lemon together with the peel. To get the most nutritional benefits, thoroughly wash and brush the dirt off the skin before juicing. Organic lemons are best.)

Lemons are abundantly rich in bioflavonoids, which can markedly boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. The juice of the lemon is helpful for colds, coughs, sore throats, hiccups, ear infections, fevers, arthritis, heart disease, COPD, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high cholesterol, autoimmune disorders, stroke, and cancer. When used topically, lemon juice is a wonderful remedy for lessening the appearance of wrinkles. Lemons can also be used for warts, toothaches, corns, sunburns, poison ivy, acne, psoriasis, and even a hair rinse and facial astringent.

Drinking a large glass of lemon water, such as the Good Morning Elixir Recipe below, immediately upon waking up in the morning is a superb way to hydrate and cleanse the body and to signal the digestive to begin working. Fresh organic lemon in organic tea, green juice, or added to salads, wraps, hummus, and guacamole is another excellent way to implement this healing fruit into your diet.

20 Health Benefits of Lemons

fights free-radical formation
increases iron absorption
fights skin damage
may help to prevent asthma
reduces wrinkles
good source of Vitamin C
helps with weight control
prevents kidney stones
reduces cancer risk
lemon scent reduces stress
improves digestive health
helps to enhance the immune system
may protect against polyarthritis
may support healthy cholesterol levels
helps with inflammation relief
reduces kidney stone formation
natural diuretic
boosts energy
provides DNA cell protection
antibacterial properties

GOOD MORNING Elixir Recipe

Ingredient List

24 ounces of very warm distilled water (do not microwave water)
juice from one – 2 large organic lemons
1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
1-2 tsp raw honey
1/2 tsp organic cayenne pepper

Instructions

Stir well & drink 8 ounces in a glass cup first thing in AM.
Refrigerate the remaining mixture & drink through the day!

References & Resources

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Loretta Lanphier is a Naturopathic Practitioner, Board Certified Traditional Naturopath, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Certified Clinical Herbalist as well as the CEO / Founder of Oasis Advanced Wellness in The Woodlands TX. She studies and performs extensive research in health science, natural hormone balancing, anti-aging techniques, nutrition, natural medicine, weight loss, herbal remedies, non-toxic cancer support, and actively researching new natural health protocols and products. A 20-year stage 3 colon cancer survivor, Loretta can relate to both-sides-of-the-health-coin as patient and practitioner when it comes to health and wellness. “My passion is counseling others about what it takes to keep the whole body healthy using natural and non-toxic methods.” Read Loretta’s health testimony Cancer: The Path to Healing. Loretta is a Contributor and Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness.