It’s the time of year when everyone loves a fresh glass of ice cold lemonade. But what most people don’t realize is lemons are one of nature’s super fruits and by incorporating them into your diet as a regular staple they can make you feel better.

Lemons Are Filled With More Than Flavor

Lemons are filled with flavor, but they’re also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. One lemon contains about 80 mg of potassium, which is essential for both heart and brain health.

Lemons also contain pectin, a soluble fiber. It’s great for colon health and can help you lose weight by making you feel fuller. They also contain antibacterial properties and lemon juice has been shown to kill germs that cause malaria, cholera, diphtheria, and typhoid fever.

Lemons Help With Body Functions

A cup of warm lemon juice first thing in the morning is one of the best ways to utilize the super fruit’s qualities. Not only is your body dehydrated when you wake up, but by drinking a cup first thing, it stimulates your digestive track and prepares it for the day. Lemons also increase peristalsis in the bowels, keeping you regular and preventing both constipation and diarrhea.

By consuming a half a cup of lemon juice daily, you can increase the citrate acid in the body, which can dissolve not only kidney stones, but gallstones and calcium deposits as well.

Lemons help to flush toxins from the body, and although they are acidic, they have an alkalizing effect and can help to restore a balanced pH level. And because lemons are rich in vitamin C, they boost the body’s immune system and help to prevent illnesses.

Lemons Make You More Comfortable

If you’re allergic to poison ivy or are frequently snacked on by mosquitoes, lemons may soon become your favorite fruit. Lemons have a natural anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effect. When you rub lemon juice on your itchy spots, the juice helps to relieve the itch and pain, as well as making them heal faster.

Lemons act as a liver stimulant and dissolve uric acid and other poisons from the body. Lemon juice also reduces inflammation, specifically in the joints. For those suffering from the aches and pains of arthritis, lemon juice can bring a welcome relief.

Lemons neutralize free radicals, which contribute to the signs of aging. With just a few ounces of lemon juice a day, you can start preventing wrinkles and fine lines.

Lemons, it seems, really are one of nature’s super fruits. Get ready to pucker up, because lemons should be in your life to stay.

 


Do you eat lemons for your health? What’s your favorite way to consume them? Tell us why or why not in the comments. We want to know what you’re thinking.


Additional Image: Zoltan Horlik/Flickr

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Molly Carter
Molly Carter
Molly is a freelance writer who talks about everything and anything from addiction, to sex. to skinning a deer. You can find her at MollyCarterWriter.com, or Facebook.