Lemon happens to be a flavored fruit. Its small quantity in the form of juice can make its remarkable presence felt in foods and beverages. When we add a few drops of its juice to the curries, soup, or drinks, it changes the taste for the better. Lemons have been grown and harvested for years. This round citrus fruit that comes from the flowering plant family, Rutaceae is scientifically called a citrus lemon. It is bright yellow and has a tangy sour taste because of its richness in citric acid. Though they are available in various shapes and sizes across the planet, it traces its origin to Assam and other parts of Myanmar and China.
Lemon has a lot of benefits to the human body. Eating it whole or using it as a seasoning to make food more delicious is of immense importance to the human body. In this article, we will discuss some incredible benefits of lemon to the human body.
1. Enhances heart health
Lemons are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Studies suggest that these two nutrients are very much beneficial for heart health and help in preventing heart diseases and reducing the risk of a heart attack. However, some fibers present in lemon can also contribute to lowering different risk factors for heart diseases.
Few studies found that consuming its juice can aid in reducing elevated blood pressure. In this way, it can be helpful with the main line of treatment of high blood pressure. Lemon contains two compounds, hesperidin, and diosmin. They are known to lower cholesterol. They boost the cholesterol metabolism in the body.
2. Boosts immunity
We all are familiar with the fact that lemon helps in boosting immunity, as it contains a high amount of antioxidants and vitamin C. It helps strengthen the immune system against invading microbes that can cause the common cold and the flu. A glass of hot water with lemon juice and a large spoonful of honey is used as a treatment for prolonged cough and flu.
3. Improves digestion
Lemons are equipped with high amounts of soluble fibers that assist the body in maintaining normal bowel movements and also enhance digestion. The main fiber that is present in it is named pectin. It helps in improving gut health by increasing the digestion rate. It also speeds up the breakdown and absorption of starch and sugar.
Traditional doctors believe that drinking a glass of water with lemon juice with its pulp in the morning can boost your digestion process. It also assists you in having a healthy digestive system.
4. Controlling weight
Fully squeezed lemon is mixed in a glass of water and a tablespoon of honey is added to it, this can be a magic drink for many as this drink may help in losing some weight. It is equipped by nature with a compound known as pectin. It is a type of fiber that tends to expand after ingestion. It makes you feel full sooner and longer. It will prevent you from feeding on unhealthy foods that will lead to weight gain. Pectin is present in its pulp, so consuming lemon as a whole is essential.
Some studies found that antioxidants present in it also help in decreasing your weight. Although these experiments were conducted on animals and their effect on humans is hypothesized to be the same.
