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Lemon is one of my favorite flavors in just about everything. You probably see me on instagram stories always using lemon in my drinks and the food I prepare; I really add it to everything!
The chemicals in lemon are beyond amazing! When I was younger, I thought lemon was such a waste of a fruit because it was sour and was always that pitiful little sliver that was added to water at a restaurant. I never understood the point!
Then, I moved to southern California where lemons grew wild and the farmers market was full of the biggest, most beautiful lemons you have ever seen! I started incorporating them into more dishes and drinks, and was blown away by the almost sweet flavor they had!
For my birthday one year, my husband bought me a lemon tree for our balcony. I had my own lemons for years which was the best thing! The tree died when we moved back to Texas, the land of 110 degree heat and horrible storms. But, my love of lemons has continued and I use them daily. And there are so many reasons why you should eat lemon!
Reasons to Eat Lemon Based on Science
Despite loving the flavor, they are one of the best foods for your chemically! I did some research in college about lemons, and was very surprised to see the numerous benefits. I grew to love them even more knowing how healthy they are!
Let’s talk about the chemicals in a lemon.
Vitamin C
This is probably the most beneficial parts of a lemon. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is obviously a very important part to our health. Citrus fruits all contain vitamin C, but lemon has one of the higher amounts, similar to an orange. You can see more details about the vitamin C content on the USDA nutritional information website.
Other Acids Present
Malic Acid and Citrus Acid are also present in a lemon which both give it that sour taste. These aren’t necessarily beneficial for your health, but they are the other acids found in a lemon.
Minerals
I have read many chemical articles about lemon peels and the testing done to see exactly what chemicals are present.
Lemon peels contain Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), and Phosphorus (P). That is quite a bit of minerals for one little lemon peel!
Physicochemical Parameters of Lemon Peels
Studies also show that lemon peels contain protein, fiber, ash, and even some fat!
What about the lemon juice?
According to my research, lemon juice does contain vitamins and minerals in smaller amounts along with small amounts of glucose, sucrose, and fructose (sugars).
Basically, all of a lemon is good for you, but the true benefits are found in the peel itself. As with most fruits, the nutrients are usually denser in the skin or peel.
Now, what does this do for your health?
Boost Immunity
Vitamin C is the number one immunity booster chemically, so that is a big plus to incorporating lemons in your daily diet.
Increases Energy
This is a big one for me! If you are a snapchat follower of mine, you always see that I squeeze a HUGE amount of lemon into almost everything. I love brewing green tea, pouring it over ice, then squeezing an entire lemon in it! It is a mixture of the sourness, tart flavor and refreshing taste of lemon that really gives me a burst of energy for the rest of the afternoon!
Aides Digestion
Lemons are chemically proven to aide in digestion. Anything from an upset stomach to keeping you regular. When I have any kind of nausea, I will always drink iced lemon water and it soothes my stomach tremendously. This article from ABC news confirms this too. Many people are into the warm lemon water in the morning in place of coffee, while that hasn’t done anything for me personally, I do love lemon water throughout the day!
Skin Care
Lemon juice is a natural antiseptic, so it is a great addition for your skin care. I have purchased many organic skin care products that contain lemon as a main ingredient. Like this organic cleanser, the main ingredient is lemon!. Lemon juice is also great for bug bites and bee stings! This natural antiseptic ointment utilizes lemon oil for cuts, scraps, and bite treatments!
Antimicrobial
Like above, it is a natural antiseptic which means it has natural antimicrobial properties, so it helps with bacteria and funguses. This research from the British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology is a scientific experiment proving lemon peel oils antimicrobial properties. It is super technical, but it is fantastic research!
Rheumatism
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I am constantly trying out and testing natural products that claim to help RA. Lemon has been known to help Rheumatism since it does flush out bacteria in the body, which help your immune system. Since RA is an auto-immune disease, this can help keep everything working properly. I personally like it for RA since it helps with fatigue and increases my energy. Another reason you find me squeezing lemon on ALL things 🙂
Fatigue
Just like with increasing energy, lemon helps with fatigue too. For me, fatigue is a constant struggle since I have RA. Even if everything else feels okay joint wise, I will really struggle with this! One of my favorite concoctions for a fatigue filled day is my frozen green tea lemonade (recipe will be in newsletter next week, sign up below). This drink contains whole pieces of lemon, even parts of the peel, and it is exactly what you need to keep going!
I have also read articles that talk about it helping acne and eczema too.
Relaxation
This has to do with the aroma of lemon. Studies show that the scent of lemon in the air is an instant relaxer for your mind and body. I have a candle with scents of lemon in it that I light at my desk while I work. It is so soothing and immediately calms my mind down! This candle is one of my favorites for that wonderful lemon scent that is so comforting!
Since lemon is HIGHLY acid, always protect your teeth from it! It will wear the enamel away, so I always drink from a straw when I am drinking anything with lemon 🙂
I hope this segment of the Chemist Solution Series can inspire you to incorporate more lemon in your life 🙂
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Other sources from this page come from the American Chemical Society Research Library.
I love adding lemon juice to stuff I look or to my water but I’ve never actually ate a lemon. It seems like they have lots of great benefits though! Thanks for sharing! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
They are so amazing in benefits! I love adding it to everything as well! So good 🙂
That infographic looks awesome! Totally pinning it. My husband and I have been talking about planting a lemon tree and now I want to even more!
Thanks girl! It took awhile to make, but I wanted to to contain all the good stuff 🙂 Thanks for pinning! I would love to have a lemon tree again, they are so great to have!
Love lemons and love how healthy they are! Didn’t realize how good the peel was though- any ideas for how to utilize the peel more?
I have a drink that I make with whole lemons that is coming out in my newsletter soon. I usually like to to process the peel in smoothies or even in some baked goods I make. When I use it in a drink, I always make sure to use a smaller amount though because it is super strong!! It is really an awesome flavor addition though 🙂
I always add lemon to my water, it’s a habit I’ve inherited from my mother. Do you know if lemon essential oil has all of these same benefits? I keep it in my bag for on the go.
It does have some great benefits. From the research I have done, it isn’t as potent mineral or vitamin wise as the actual whole lemon, but it is still a great option! The oil is really great topically also!
I love lemons! I squeeze lemon all over my veggies instead of using salt/pepper and I love putting it in my water.
It is so good on veggies! It helps you soak up all the minerals and vitamins in vegetables too, so it is the perfect addition!!
yum!! that bread looks amazing!
elle
Southern Elle Style
It is really good! I love lemon loafs 🙂
I love lemons. I often times will have lemons in my drinking water. It also helps in the prevention of kidney stones (been there done that).
Lemons are so great with water!
I think I need to get on this more often!!!
It is such a great addition to everything 🙂
Love this post, girl! So much good info about lemons… This reminds me to call my next door neighbor – she has a tree overflowing with wonderful lemons, and she doesn’t use them often… want to come here and raid her tree?! I love lemon in water. Still haven’t used lemon rind in much of my food – I’m about spicy and vinegar… The lemon loaf look delicious – I better get the lemons if I’m going to make it! Have a “lemony” day – in the good way! xo 🙂
OMG that is so awesome! I would love to come get fresh lemons. I miss that!! Those fresh lemons will be great in my next recipes!!
I totally believe that food has so many powers to heal and this is an awesome resource. I don’t think of lemons but am going to be adding them to my diet. Thank you!!
It really does! It is amazing how good it is for you and all the benefits! I hope you enjoy adding more lemons to your diet 🙂
My mom used to drink warm lemon water each morning, and I love it in my water. So many other great benefits, thanks for sharing this great info!
I do too! So refreshing! And it is nice that it is actually really good for you too 🙂
Great post! I am even more of a lemon lover now ?
Thanks Amanda!!!
I’ve never really liked lemons, but I could probably find ways to add them into my diet so that I can reap the benefits 🙂 I love that you have the scientific reasons for things instead of doing what most of us have to do when we can only say, “Well I’m not sure…it’s just good for you” 😉
Thanks Kristin! I love sharing the information I have learned over the years. It is so helpful to know how good really are for you 🙂
YUM to that healthy lemon loaf! The benefits of lemons are endless, and it’s so easy to add them to your water or salads <3
Green Fashionista
It is so easy to add them into fresh stuff!! Thanks Kate!
I don’t know if it’s because of warmer weather or what, but lately I have been on such a huge lemon kick! I want lemon-flavored and lemon-scented everything! It’s nice to know that it’s so good for me!
The warmer weather always makes me crave lemon more!! I always feel like it quiches my thirst more too 🙂
Oh yes, I Love Lemons. I would love to be able to have my own lemon tree but alas, I live with the small lemons that make their way to Kentucky via various means of transport. I’m looking forward to the frozen lemonade recipe!
I miss having my own lemon tree! It was so nice to have big fresh meyer lemons all year!! You will love this recipe, so refreshing!
Lemons are the best!! I love adding it to everything! SO many great benefits- I didn’t even know some of these! Thanks!
Thanks Melissa!! They do have so many amazing benefits! All in one little lemon 🙂
This is so funny..My 2 year old LOVES lemons and my husband thinks its so weird that I feed him lemons. I’ll have to let him read this!
Blessed Messes
Oh wow! That is so funny he loves lemons. But what a healthy thing to love 🙂
I’ve started having warm lemon water every morning and I’m loving the results. It’s always the first thing I ingest every morning. I’ve been doing it for a month, and now I swear by it! Lemons have so many benefits.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
That is so great you have seen results! They do have so many wonderful benefits!!
Well, aren’t I REALLY glad now that I was already planning to make Lemon Pepper Chicken in the Crock Pot for dinner tonight? 😉 Lemons are coming to room temperature for maximum juicing as I type this. Thanks for all the good background on something I already loved! Stopping by from Waiting On Wednesday!
That dinner sounds delicious! I love how well lemon works with savory recipes too! Especially chicken!! Thanks Elizabeth!
Yes! I drink warm lemon water before I have my coffee (I definitely could not replace it!) and before bed every night. Delicious and healthy!
I definitely keep my coffee too! But it really is so delicious and healthy 🙂
When I was pregnant I craved lemons. I’ve heard California lemons are the best! What an interesting article and that lemon loaf…Yum! Thanks so much for sharing on Waiting on Wednesday!
They are definitely the best!! I have a friend who craved lemons when she was pregnant too..she couldn’t get enough of them!! Thanks Jennifer!!
I don’t particularly like lemons. But, you’ve convinced me that maybe I should at least try some lemon water and ease myself into adding more in my diet. So many health benefits!
They really are amazing little things! You can definitely add it to dishes and or drinks without the flavor of it coming through. I like adding them to smoothies as well and that can mask the taste 🙂
Wow!!! I never knew lemons were so good for you! I need to incorporate them more into my diet. What a great post!
Thanks Chelsea! They are definitely so good for you 🙂
I’m so delighted to find this article! I am dealing with health issues as well and my diet requires me to eat all plant based and non-processed foods. I’ve been looking into correcting my issues and lemons keep popping up! I’ve been drinking fresh lemon water every day for about five days and I’m looking forward to seeing the results! Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of information on lemons! It’s good to know and file away!
~Haley
That is great Haley! We eat mostly plant based too due to my health and my husbands bad health. It eventually makes life so much better! And you feel better too! I hope you will get some great results soon. Most of my recipes on the blog are healthy and plant based too, so I love keeping it healthy for everyone 🙂 I am so glad you enjoyed this post!
Thanks for this! We love lemons and use them some but not nearly enough. They really are so versatile and make everything taste fresh and yummy. They are inexpensive too.
Happy, happy Thoughts of Home. 🙂
I love that they are so inexpensive!! Such a plus since they are so amazing in so many things!!! 🙂
I’m the fan of warm lemon water in the morning upon rising. I’ve also begun drinking raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of filtered water. Sometimes that will take the place of the lemon water. Either way, I’ve noticed a big difference in my digestion since I added the apple cider vinegar to my routine. Like you, lemons throughout the day can only help us RA sufferers. Great info here.
Thanks Michelle! It really helps with digestion. I love the energy it gives me especially when my RA is bad, so amazing!!
Who knew all of this was packed into a lemon? I’d love it if you’d share this post at the Healthy Living Link Party. Thanks!
Blessings, Leigh
Isn’t it great?? I love how awesome they are! I just joined the link up on your blog 🙂
Thanks for linking up!
Thanks Leigh!
I stopped back by to let you know you were featured at this week’s Healthy Living Link Party. Congratulations!
Blessings, Leigh
Thanks so much Leigh!! Have a great day!
Pinning! Love this science perspective.
Thank you!! I love sharing chemist tips I have learned along the way. It is amazing all the details there are to everything 🙂
I love everything lemon. My favorite Pinterest Board is the one I’m building with all things lemon. Yum! Thanks for all the detail on the benefits of lemon. Now I love lemon even more than before!
That sounds like the best pinterest board! Lemon is so amazing!!! And it’s delicious which makes it even more amazing 🙂
Ah yes, California lemons are divine. We have a tree that must have been grafted at some point because we get Meyers but also more ‘normal’ ones? Skin texture and flavor are different depending on the the season.
I use a straw too – in fact the Glass Dharma straws (a great CA company, btw) are a wonderful way to sip water with lemon or hot tea with lemon and honey.
Thanks for the great information.
That is so neat! I miss having a lemon tree, it was such a joy getting to pick my lemons and use them right away 🙂 Straws are definitely a must for lemon! I love my glass ones and stainless steel ones too. I drink almost everything with a straw, even coffee lol. But it works!! Thanks so much for coming by Dana, hope you are having a wonderful day!!!
Thanks for the info on lemon. I do love lemons and your details about them are very helpful.
Thanks so much!!! Lemons are wonderful 🙂
I really do love lemon and need to find more ways to add it to my diet! I just made some breakfast bars that had some lemon zest and lemon juice and it really enhanced the flavors!
Oh that sounds amazing! It does enhance the flavor for everything!!
Thank you for sharing this over at #healthyliving link party. I will be featuring you for tomorrow’s party, hope to see you again!
Thanks so much!! I look forward to linking up with you again 🙂
Great post Alexis! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
Thanks Sherry!!
I love lemons and I always start my day with a glass of warm water with lemon. It is such a pleasure to see all of the wonderful benefits of eating lemons in one place.
Thanks Deborah! They are really such a wonderful food that sometimes get forgotten! I am so glad you enjoy this post 🙂 Have a great day!
Awesome information, Alexis! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Thanks Donna! I appreciate that! Have a great day!
I love fresh lemons! I have ever since I was a little girl. I had no idea they had so many health benefits, though. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week!
Thanks Marie! They really are such an amazing food…plus they are pretty and taste good too! So many good things 🙂
Wow!! I never knew that lemon was so good! I’ll have to share this info. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Rebekah! They really are so great for you 🙂
I just found your site and love it already. I know fresh lemon juice is best, but if you have the squeeze lemon juice (either in bottle or plastic lemon) is it beneficial as well?
Hi Jacquie, I am so happy you found my blog! The type that comes in a bottle is not going to be as potent or have as many benefits, but it is still useful. I would just make sure to find one that isn’t as processed. Some bottled lemon juice has a lot of preservatives in it that could be harmful. Let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
Drinking lemon juice daily will also help keep kidney stones dissolved as well!
Lemon juice is amazing!
Hi Alexis,
Great article, I always knew that lemon is tasty and Good! But with all your details I love it even more! This is my first time to your blog and I must say I am really impressed with the work you are doing!.
I am also a Blogger, so it would be great If you could check out my blog and let me know your insights.
You can check out my blog here: http://www.themindfulbytes.com/category/health/
Thanks
Thanks so much! Lemon is amazing 🙂 I will check out your blog!
Best natural preventative for clothes moths. I hate moth balls and know they are bad for you.
Cedar is a good option, cedar chips repel moths. Also, essential oils and herbs that repel moths are rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender, or bay leaves. Some people use dried herb bundles with a mixture of those types