The cacao bean is the source of perhaps the most magical and beloved foods on Earth because it is the source of chocolate. Even the cacao tree's official name, Theobroma cacao, recognizes the long-standing love most of us have for the fruit of this tree. Theobroma comes from the Greek language for "food of the gods." And while chocolate is the most popular and favorite of these foods from the cacao bean, an even healthier choice is raw cacao powder. How Is Cacao Powder Made? To produce raw cacao powder, raw cacao beans are simply cold pressed to remove the fat, and the remaining solids are ground into a fine powder. Cacao vs. Cocoa: What's the Difference? Cacao powder contains all the beneficial nutrients and beneficial compounds of the raw cacao bean minus the fat. In contrast, cocoa powder is made from roasted cacao beans. And even if they look alike, the two are different. In making cocoa powder, up to 90% of the nutrients and beneficial compounds in raw c
Lemon is a yellow or pale-yellow fruit, which is botanically a berry and
it is used in numerous cuisines and food preparations. The tangy and
refreshing juice of this fruit is commonly used as a food ingredient in
both home and commercial cooking.The
rind or the outer skin of lemon is used to enhance the flavor of the
food while cooking. It is also a major source of commercial essential
oil and aroma compounds. Lemon is an important medicinal plant that is
native to Southeast Asia. Each part of the lemon plant possesses
therapeutic properties.
What is Lemon?
Lemon is a fruit of Citrus X limon plant. It is also known as Nimbu in Hindi. It belongs to Rutaceae
(rues) family and Citrus L. (citrus) genus. Lemon juice is commonly
used in ayurveda for detoxifying various natural ingredients making some
formulations that improves appetite and digestion.
Health Benefits of Lemon
The most important health benefits of lemon are given below:
Help You Lose Weight
The
lemon water diet is quite popular for its weight loss effect. Research
has found that making lemon a part of your daily diet suppresses
diet-induced obesity.
Plant
polyphenols present in lemon increase the activity and expression of
genes that are involved in the breakdown of fat. These genes prevent the
storage of fat in the body and thus, help in fat loss.
One interesting study found that supplementation with lemon polyphenols helped in reducing the visceral and subcutaneous fat.
The
natural compounds present in lemon also suppress the appetite and
reduce the hunger pangs. This decreases the entry of extra calories into
the system.
Hence, lemon juice or lemon water promotes weight
loss by promoting satiety and hydration. But, replacing meals with lemon
water can be harmful to health.
Supports Heart Health
Studies
have reported that this small, tangy and refreshing fruit is mother
nature’s gift to protect your heart. Lemon keeps the heart healthy by
reducing the risk factors that give rise to heart diseases like:
- High blood pressure- Lemon juice reduces pressure on the inner walls of the arteries and helps in smooth blood flow all throughout the body. Besides this, you can reduce your salt intake by replacing salt with fresh lemon juice in food preparations.
- Altered lipid profile- Adding lemon juice to food preparations or drinking lemon water in addition to a low-fat diet prevents deposition of fat and cholesterol in the body. Vitamin C present in lemon also inhibits oxidation of LDL and prevents clogging of the arteries.
Besides this, plant
compounds present in lemon help in reducing fibrinogen levels, which in
turn decreases inflammation and prevents clot formation in the arteries.
Hence, adding lemon juice to water or healthy food preparations on a daily basis may keep cardiovascular diseases at bay.
Prevents Kidney Stones
Kidney
stones or nephrolithiasis is a relatively common disease. The citric
acid present in lemon inhibits the formation of kidney stones by
preventing the urine from becoming too acidic. It also prevents the
development of mineral crystals into kidney stones.
Hence, adding
fruits like lemon, which is an excellent source of citric acid, is an
effective way to prevent and treat kidney stones.
An interesting
study found that half a cup of lemon juice provides a daily amount of
citrate comparable to that of a standard daily dose of citrate
medications. Hence, one way to limit kidney stone formation is the
intake of lemon juice.
Controls High Blood Pressure
Lemon
is a health-promoting fruit that suppresses high blood pressure. Such
an effect of lemon is attributed to the presence of flavonoids in it.
Studies
have observed that daily lemon intake has an inverse relationship with
blood pressure, which means a regular intake of lemon juice helps in
lowering blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.
The
citric acid in lemon juice enhances the absorption of calcium and
magnesium from the foods. These minerals help in lowering the blood
pressure by dilating the arteries. This makes sure that the blood flows
smoothly without putting any pressure on the inner walls of the
arteries. It soothes and maintains the flexibility of blood vessels and
arteries, thus lowering high blood pressure.
This is why you should add lemon to your low sodium diet.
Improves Iron Absorption
Lemon
juice improves iron absorption from the diet and treats iron deficiency
anemia, says research. Citric acid lowers the pH of the small
intestine, binds with iron and prevents it from forming iron compounds
that cannot be absorbed. Hence, it converts iron into a form that can be
easily absorbed. Thus, lemon juice makes iron available for absorption.
Besides
this, citric acid in lemon juice enhances the secretion of gastric
acid, which further promotes iron absorption. Therefore, it is suggested
to squeeze lemon juice on spinach soup or spinach veggie to boost the
iron absorption. If you are taking iron pills, take it with a glass of
lemon water.
Fights Acne
Lemon
is one amazing fruit that can fight acne and give you clear and glowing
skin. Propionibacterium acnes is bacteria that is responsible for
causing acne.
Research has observed that plant compounds present
in lemon possess an anti-bacterial property that prevents the
multiplication and growth of P. acnes.
Besides this lemon contains
ascorbic acid, that fight against acne. Moreover, applying lemon juice
on the skin helps in the removal of excess oil and dead cells. Lemon
juice is a detoxifying agent that treats acne when taken orally.
It
cures constipation, improves digestion and reduces infections. Thus, a
clean gut keeps the skin clear and glowing. Hence, oral as well as
topical application of lemon juice improves skin health and fights acne.
Different Ways to Add Lemon to Your Diet
- Salad Dressing: Make healthy salad dressing at home with lemon juice. Lemon juice adds a fresh and tangy flavor to the salad. Make sure you eat the salad fresh.
- Lemon Tea: Drinking a cup of lemon tea improves digestion and relieves flatulence and bloating. Add 2 cups of lemon tea to your daily diet.
- Curries and Soups: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on soups and curries. In Indian restaurants, lemon pieces are often served with Indian food preparations to enhance the flavor of the food.
- Lemon-Based Desserts: Freshen up your dessert menu with these delicious lemon recipes like lemon tart, lemon pie, lemon cakes, and lemon bars.
- Lemon Marmalade: Slather up some lemon marmalade on your hot buttered toast.
- Cool and Refreshing Treats: Lemon treats are a perfect way to refresh your system on a hot summer day. Some options are- lemon yogurt, lemon ice cream, lemon parfait, and lemon gelato.
- Drink It Up: Homemade lemonade or nimbu pani is a great way to provide vitamin C to the body. This refreshing beverage is a perfect drink for a hot summer day.
Who Should Consume Lemon?
All healthy individuals can enjoy the tangy and refreshing flavor of lemon.
If
bad breath is your problem, lemon is the best solution for you. The
acid present in lemon juice neutralizes the odor and freshens up your
mouth. If you are out of mints and gums, then reach out for a lemon.
Adding
lemon juice to iron-rich foods improves the absorption of iron in the
body. Hence, if you have iron-deficiency anemia, increasing your intake
of iron-rich foods is not the only solution. Add lemon juice also to
such foods for better bioavailability of iron.
Vitamin C and other
antioxidants present in lemon juice fight inflammation and oxidative
stress. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that neutralizes free
radicals and fights oxidative stress. Hence, adding lemon juice to your
diet is a great way to keep oxidative stress-related disorders at bay.
If
you have a history of kidney stones or if you are prone to kidney
stones, lemon juice or lemon water may be the best beverage for you.
Lemon juice contains citrate, which prevents the formation of kidney
stones.
Lemon is also a great food ingredient for individuals with
cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol levels, and hypertension. It
lowers LDL cholesterol level, prevents its oxidation and inhibits the
formation of clots in the arteries. Hence, fresh lime water (without
sugar) is an excellent drink to keep your heart healthy.
Who Cannot Consume Lemon?
Overconsumption
of lemons can wear away the enamel of your teeth. This may lead to
tooth discoloration and tooth sensitivity. Such action is due to the
high acidic nature of lemons.
Excess lemon intake can worsen the
symptoms of GERD and gastric ulcers. Because lemons are acidic in
nature, eating too many lemons can trigger heartburn in such
individuals.
Lemon intake may not be suitable for individuals with
canker sores or small sores in the mouth. Intake of lemon or any other
citrus fruit in this situation may worsen it. Hence, it’s best to avoid
acidic foods.
How much Lemon should You Consume in a Day?
All
healthy individuals can consume 1-2 cups of diluted lemon water, which
is prepared from 5 to 10 ml lemon juice. Lemon is nutritious and
beneficial for health but consuming it in excess amount may have some
ill effects. Make sure you do not consume the juice of more than 2
medium-sized lemons per day.
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