What is lemon fruit used for?
The lemon, Citrus lemon, is a species of small evergreen tree in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, native to South Asia, primarily North eastern India. The tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruits used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which has both culinary and cleaning uses.
Lemons are a good source of vitamin C.
One lemon provides about 31 mg of vitamin C, which is 51% of the reference daily intake (RDI).
Research shows that eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Lemons are often promoted as a weight loss food, and there are a few theories as to why this is.
One common theory is that the soluble pectin fiber in them expands in your stomach, helping you feel full for longer.
That said, not many people eat lemons whole. And because lemon juice contains no pectin, lemon juice drinks will not promote fullness in the same way.
Another theory suggests that drinking hot water with lemon will help you loose weight.
However, drinking water is known to temporarily increase the number of calories you burn, so it may be the water itself that is helping with weight loss — not the lemon.
Other theories suggest that the plant compounds in lemons may aid weight loss.
Research shows that plant compounds in lemon extracts may help prevent or reduce weight gain in a number of ways.
In one study, mice on a fattening diet were given lemon polyphenols extracted from the peel. They gained less weight and body fat than other mice.
Kidney stones are small lumps that form when waste products crystallize and build up in your kidneys.
Citric acid may help prevent kidney stones by increasing urine volume and increasing urine pH, creating a less favorable environment for kidney stone formation.
Just a 1/2-cup (4 ounces or 125 ml) of lemon juice per day may provide enough citric acid to help prevent stone formation in people who have already had the Kidney stones.
Improves Digestive Health
Lemons are made up of about 10% carbs, mostly in the form of soluble fiber and simple sugars.
The main fiber in lemons is pectin, a form of soluble fiber linked to multiple health benefits.
Soluble fiber can improve gut health and slow the digestion of sugars and starches. These effects may result in the reduced sugar levels.
However, to get the benefits of fiber from lemons, you need to eat the pulp.
People who drink lemon juice, without the fiber found in the pulp, will miss out on the benefits of the fiber.
Reduces Cancer Risks
A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help prevent some cancers.
Some observational studies have found that people who eat the most citrus fruit have a lower risk of cancer, while other studies have found no effects.
In test-tube studies, many compounds from lemons have killed cancer cells. However, they may not have the same effect on the human body.
Some researchers think that plant compounds found in lemons — such as limonene and naringenin — could have anticancer effects, but this hypothesis needs further investigation.
Animal studies indicate that D-limonene, a compound found in lemon oil does have anticancer properties.
Another study used pulp from mandarins that contained the plant compounds beta-kryptoxanthin and hesperidin, which are also found in lemons.
Educative
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Patrick, a lot more is coming
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ReplyDeleteWell researched article, keep going kioko
ReplyDeletethanks keekeneme
ReplyDeleteNice topic
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