Surprising Health Benefits of Lemons and Lemon Juice

You probably don't think twice about the lemons in your refrigerator or iced tea, but it's high time you did. Why? Lemons and lemon juice are not just excellent flavor enhancers for food and beverages, but powerful additions to your alternative and complementary medicine cabinet. Increasing your daily use of lemons in your diet just might help enhance your life, manage chronic conditions and more. Using lemon juice on food in lieu of salt or high sodium condiments helps keep your blood pressure in check. Lemon juice can also be a wonderful addition to mineral or spring water as it naturally removes impurities from your liver and kidneys. The refreshing scent of a lemon gets at its properties. The possibilities are endless when it comes to using lemons and lemon juice on a daily basis to enhance, revive, heal, detoxify and more.

Health Promoting Properties of Lemons and Lemon Juice

Long ago, lemon juice was found to have important antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Experts report that lemon juice activates white blood cells and promotes immune function. As a result, a steady diet of lemon juice each day helps promote pulmonary, respiratory and gastrointestinal health. Lemon juice added into tea fights colds, bronchitis, influenza and more. Lemon juice has also been used to prevent and manage dandruff. A regular regimen of lemon juice for the nostrils can help control colds and sinusitis. Dipping your fingers in lemon juice can also promote strong nails. Lemons are naturally versatile and healthy additions to your overall health and wellness routine.

Nutritional Value of Lemons and Lemon Juice

The secret behind lemons? They're packed with vitamins and minerals which promote good health. Lemons are excellent sources of B6, B2 and Vitamin C. Lemons contain thiamin, riboflavin and more. Lemons are also loaded in minerals such as copper, magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium, making them excellent additions to your daily diet and fitness routine.

Use Caution Before Adding Lemons and Lemon Juice to Your Daily Diet

Of course, it's worthwhile to consult with your doctor and health care professionals before ramping up your intake of lemons and lemon juice in your diet. Under normal circumstances, adding lemons and lemon juice to your diet will meet with medical approval. But, anyone suffering from an active ulcer may need to exercise reasonable caution because of the acidic content in lemons and lemon juice.

RESOURCES

5 Tips for Dining Out
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet in Mayo Clinic Newsletter

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
www.nih.gov

Fresh Lemon Recipes in Eating Well

Healthy Eating Diet in Help Guide