They may pucker your lips and make you wince, but the health benefits of lemons are totally worth it. Beneath their tart exterior lies a powerhouse of antioxidants and health-boosting magic to create the ultimate lemon-aid.
So, let’s dive into the science to squeeze out the juicy truth about this citrus fruit!
7 Juicy Health Benefits of Lemons
Lemons are bright yellow, oval-shaped citrus fruits known for their tangy, sour taste. Almost all parts of the lemon can be used, adding a vibrant flavor to foods and drinks.
But it’s what’s behind the rind that really counts. Lemons are bursting with vitamin C, antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids, and other bioactive plant compounds on a mission to keep you healthy. Lemon juice also contains nearly 5x the concentration of citric acid compared to orange juice.[*]
So, according to science, lemons may:
1. Reduce Chronic Inflammation
Antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids in lemons fight off free radicals to prevent oxidative stress that causes inflammation.[*] Chronic inflammation is the primary driver of aging and conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more.
2. Boost Your Immune System
Vitamin C, antioxidants, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds in lemons can help keep your immunity strong and fight off infections.[*] Their antibacterial properties may shield your gut microbiome from harmful pathogens and other nasties.[*]
3. Decrease Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
The vitamin C and polyphenols in lemons may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation to protect you from cardiovascular disease and stroke.[*][*]
❤️ Read me next: 6 Simple Tips for a Healthy Heart
4. Prevent Kidney Stones
The citric acid in lemons can help dissolve and prevent the formation of kidney stones.[*][*]
5. Ward Off Anemia — Especially for Plant-Based Eaters
Compared to heme iron from animal sources, it’s more difficult to absorb iron from a vegan or plant-based diet. Good news? The citric acid in lemons improves non-heme iron absorption to prevent iron deficiencies.[*][*]
6. Enhance Digestion
The citric acid in lemons stimulates bile and digestive juices, helping your body break down food more efficiently, keep things moving smoothly, and improve overall gut health.[*][*]
7. Help with Weight Loss
Studies show lemons may increase fat-burning, appetite suppression, fat accumulation, and weight gain.[*][*]
How To Squeeze the Day with Lemons
So, how can you harness all this lemon power? Follow these natural health tips:
- Infuse your water with lemon slices to become a hydration hero.
- Squeeze lemon into a mug of hot water before meals to spur healthy digestion.
- Add lemons to salads, stir-fries, marinades, baked goods, and more.
- Whip up this easy recipe for Lemon Cashew Cherry Protein Muffins With Turmeric Apricot Chia Jam.
- Mix lemon juice with honey for a natural face mask that brightens your skin and fights acne.
🍋 Need an on-the-go lemon fix? Our four-ingredient Lemon Cashew Protein Bars are made with organic lemon extract, sweetened with better-for-you coconut nectar, and contain 15 grams of plant-based protein!
Get Your Citrusy Juices Flowing!
When life gives you lemons, you use them every way you can! These antioxidant-rich powerhouses are not only a flavor game-changer, but a potent ally on your health and wellness journey. That’s why we had to add this sunshiney fruit to our clean eating lineup!
Made with just 4 or 5 whole-food, minimally-processed ingredients and up to 20 grams of protein, Rise Bar is the simplest protein bar on the planet. We believe better nutrition fuels better health, and lemons make healthy living easy.
Fun fact: Lemon trees can live for over 100 years! #Goals
Author: Devan Ciccarelli
Email: devan@behappynothangry.com
Instagram/Facebook Group: @behappynothangry/Be Happy Not Hangry
Website: www.behappynothangry.com
