The powerful health benefits of lemon juice include its ability to heal respiratory infections, treat acne, lower cholesterol, manage blood pressure levels and detoxify the body.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice refers to the freshly squeezed, tart and slightly floral juice of lemon fruit. This vitamin C rich juice is not just beneficial for our body but it is also used to clean and freshen your house. It can be counted on to remove stains from your clothes and your teeth! Lemon juice has a high content of naturally occurring citric acid. It has a pH value of just over 2, making it extremely acidic. However, lemon juice is good for you as the juice has an alkalizing effect once it is consumed. The most popular way to have it is to make lemonade by diluting it with water and adding salt, sugar or honey. Lemonade is a refreshing and healthy way to stay hydrated on a hot, summer day.
Lemon Juice Nutrition
According to research, a 1/4 cup of lemon juice contains 13 calories, with just over 4 grams of carbohydrates and 23.6 mg of vitamin C. It is high in potassium, calcium and folate. The juice also contains bioactive compounds such as citric acid, citrus limonoids, polyphenols and ascorbic acid.
Lemon Juice Benefits & Uses
Lemon juice is good for you because it can help boost your immunity, improve skin and hair health and aid digestion. It is an effective fat burner and has anticancer potential. Let us look at the health benefits and uses in detail.
Treats Respiratory Infections
Lemon juice diluted in warm water sweetened with honey is an age-old remedy for sore throat. Lemon juice with honey can be used as alternative medicine in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. It inhibits the activity of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes, two kinds of bacteria that cause severe infections. Also, vitamin C in the freshly squeezed juice strengthens the immunity system.
Skin Lightener
Pure lemon juice may be too harsh on the skin due to its acidic nature but a mixture of honey and lime juice is a hydrating and safe face mask with a natural bleaching effect on the skin. The blend is effective against Candida albicans and has a strong antibacterial and antifungal profile. You can use this face mask for an instant glow!
Treats Acne
Lemon juice is a natural astringent with antimicrobial properties. Lemon juice contains L-ascorbic acid which helps fight acne. It is highly effective against Propionibacterium acnes. Furthermore, it helps remove excess oil while also exfoliating the skin. The best way to use lemon juice for acne is to dip a Q-tip in the liquid apply it on the acne-affected area and leave it overnight. The juice with its skin lightening properties can also help lighten acne scars.
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Hair Health Enhancer
Lemon juice can be used to reduce grey hair, Coconut oil and lemon juice is a popular remedy for grey hair. However, grey hair is caused due to a lack of pigment. Nevertheless, the citrus juice acts as a natural antiseptic and helps keep hair and the scalp clean.
Anticancer Potential
Citrus limonoids present in lemon juice are rare natural compounds that have anticancer potential. Limonoids slow down cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Further human studies are required to explore the therapeutic potential of the juice against cancer.
Antibacterial Effect
Lemon juice has antibacterial properties, the juice as an oral rinse as compared to a commercially available mouthwash. The citric acid in lemon juice significantly helped suppress bacterial growth. In calibrated quantities, the juice can also be used as a disinfectant, inhibiting Vibrio cholerae in drinking water. Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause cholera.
Aids Weight Loss
Lemon juice diluted with water also known as lemon water is well-known as a fat burner. The polyphenols in the juice inhibited weight gain and fat accumulation. Drinking a glass of warm water with 10 ml of honey and 5 ml of lemon juice early in the morning.
Helps Manage Cholesterol
Lemon juice is used in folk medicine to improve heart health due to its lipid-lowering properties. There was a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol triglyceride levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. It also helped increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Lowers Blood Pressure
A study conducted in Japan on middle-aged and older women showed that consuming lemon juice daily, coupled with walking helped lower systolic blood pressure.
Detoxing Properties
Lemon juice cleanses are known to help detox the system and keep the liver, gut and kidneys healthy. The juice’s low glycemic index helps keep energy levels stable while firing up the body’s metabolism.
Enhances Nutrient Absorption
A squeeze of lemon on your salad greens or meat helps the body absorb nutrients, especially iron better. The green tea with lemon, has a greater phenolic content than just the tea alone.
Household Cleaner
It works can be effective to clean wooden surfaces, as well as grease stains from clothes. To make a handy household cleaner, mix the juice of a medium-sized lemon with water in a spray bottle. It helps remove food odors from the refrigerator and oven too.
Insect Repellant
You can use lemon juice or lemon peels to repel ants and mosquitoes. Sponging your pet with water mixed with the freshly squeezed juice of the lemon can help get rid of fleas and give them a lovely fresh fragrance.
