Lemon - benefits and harm to the human body

The beneficial properties of lemon are known to everyone, and the preparation of tea with it has long been a daily routine for many, especially in the winter. There is a stereotype that lemon only benefits the body, but some experts say that eating the product can be harmful to humans.

The benefits of lemon for the human body

It should be noted that the fruit has long been rare and exotic for our country, but today it can be bought at any store, as well as grown at home in the form of a houseplant. To understand what is the use of this citrus, you need to determine its chemical composition.

The main components of the fruit are:

• alimentary fiber;
• organic acids;
• trace elements: zinc, copper, manganese, boron, iron, molybdenum, fluorine;
• macronutrients: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, sulfur, chlorine;
• vitamins: beta-carotene, PP, A, C, E, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, pantothenic acid.

General

Useful elements are in the pulp, zest and juice of the fruit, which makes it universal in use and application. The ability of a lemon to affect the functioning of various systems and organs is manifested in the following properties:

1. Activation and strengthening of immunity due to the presence of vitamin C. It is recommended to take the fetus both raw and added to tea, because it helps prevent colds and helps speed up the healing process, has a diaphoretic effect.
2. Anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. It is used for various diseases of the respiratory tract.

   

3. Increases red blood cell count due to high iron levels.
4. Strengthens the walls of blood vessels, as the fetus contains a lot of potassium.
5. It helps the heart muscle and normalizes blood pressure, which contributes to PP in the fruit.
6. Improves appetite due to the presence of citric acid in it, which enters the digestive tract.
7. Helps the digestion and digestive tract, which contributes to a large amount of fiber.
8. Stimulates the production of enzymes that help the assimilation of various elements.
9. Activates the production of liver enzymes.
10. Breaks down bad cholesterol and removes toxins from the body.
11. Participates in the withdrawal of free radicals.
12. Prevents the development of cancer, being a strong antioxidant.
13. Improves hair structure, making it stronger and more beautiful.

    

14. Improves the condition of the skin, helps in the fight against its defects.
15. Participates in regeneration processes, eliminates wrinkles.
16. It has an analgesic effect and can help with headaches, colic in the stomach.
17. It has an antiseptic effect on various organs and systems.
18. Relieves stress and depression thanks to vitamin B in the composition.
19. Strengthens a person’s teeth and bones.
20. It is used to prevent serious diseases: tuberculosis, rickets, diabetes mellitus, arthrosis.

Such an impressive list of useful properties of citrus has led to its widespread use both in the daily diet of people and in folk and traditional medicine.

For women

In addition to the above beneficial properties of the fruit, it is worth highlighting its positive aspects of the effect on the female body:

1. Antioxidant effect: improving the condition of the skin, hair, various masks and lotions with fruit oil are used in cosmetology, including home recipes.
2. Improving metabolism: helps the digestive tract, helps to reduce weight and remove toxins, improving general condition and well-being.
3. The presence of analgesic effect: relevant for headaches, migraines, menstrual pains.
4. Strengthening the nervous system: reducing anxiety, stress, getting rid of depression.

For men

There are also special indications for the inclusion of citrus in the diet of men:

• heart attack prevention, because it is scientifically proven that men are more prone to this risk;
• cleansing of toxins, the presence of which leads to the appearance of obesity;
• removal of parasites from the body;
• reduced risk of oncology, including testicular cancer;
• stabilization of the reproductive function and the fight against its diseases;
• increased levels of testosterone in the blood.

For children

Children are also recommended to drink tea and water with lemon, as the product helps strengthen immunity, increases the ability to resist pathogenic microorganisms. Lemon is an effective remedy for helminthic invasion, which is important for a child. A group of vitamins B in the fetus is involved in metabolism and normalizes the work of the whole organism. The presence of vitamin D prevents the development of rickets.

Contraindications to the use of lemon

All citrus fruits are strong allergens, which should be treated with caution in the presence of certain diseases and not used in early childhood. The fetus in question is not an exception to the rule and has a number of contraindications associated with its specific composition.

General

Despite its almost medicinal properties, there are still contraindications to the use of lemon. Limit the use of the fetus is in cases:

• the presence of acute diseases of the stomach and intestines, since the acid in the fruit can aggravate and exacerbate them;
• problems with tooth enamel, as acid can corrode it;
• diseases of the oral cavity, again due to acid, which will cause irritation and possibly even bleeding;
• pancreatitis and this prohibition is categorical;
• allergic reactions to citrus fruits or its individual components;
• hypertension.

During pregnancy

In many cases, lemon can be pregnant, but in small quantities, it helps with nausea and increases the tone of the body, which is so important for the expectant mother. At the same time, one should refrain from using it in the following cases:

• the presence of problems with tooth enamel;
• gastrointestinal tract diseases associated with increased acidity;
• allergies due to changes in hormonal levels;
• hypertension.

How much do you need to eat lemons per day?

There is no unequivocal answer to this question, since it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body, age and human health. Based on the average data, one lemon and squeezed juice from it is a necessary and sufficient daily allowance for a healthy body. Correct it should be based on their needs and limitations.

Recipes for the use of lemon in traditional medicine

There are many medications that include lemon concentrate or its essential oil, but most of the fruit itself is used in folk medicine.

Under pressure

For the treatment of hypotension, the following option is used using citrus:

• 5 lemons;
• 100 g of frankincense leaves;
• 500 g of honey;
• 1 liter of boiling water.

Grind the fruits, chop the leaves, pour boiling water over everything. Put the resulting mass in a cold place, tightly covering with a lid, for 36 hours. After that, add honey and insist for another day, shaking from time to time. You need to take such an infusion half an hour before meals three times a day, the course of admission is at least three weeks.

For weight loss

Plain water with lemon juice added to it reduces appetite for two reasons: firstly, the volume of drinking water partially fills the stomach, and secondly, pectin, which is part of the fetus, suppresses appetite. For weight loss, every time before eating you need to drink a glass of water with lemon, but such a procedure must be supplemented with physical activity and a review of the general principles of nutrition.

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Also, the fruit copes well with cleansing the blood vessels of cholesterol deposits, which ultimately improves overall metabolism and helps to reduce weight. Massages for weight loss often use essential oil, which also helps to get rid of body fat.

From the common cold

Since citrus is rich in vitamin C, which does not accumulate in the body, you need to eat fruit daily to replenish the supply of ascorbic acid. The most popular cold prevention is drinking lemon with tea. You can also drink water (simple or mineral) with its juice on an empty stomach.

Effective in case of a runny nose, temperature will be such a simple recipe:

• 500 g of citrus;
• 250 g of honey.

Grind the fruit in a blender and mix with honey, eat after meals, 3-4 times a day.

Headache

For migraines, it is enough to attach a peel of fruit to the temple and hold for 10-15 minutes. The pain will go away, but there may be a small red spot that should not be scary.

For strong systematic headaches, there is such a folk recipe:

• 0.5 l of honey;
• 5 medium fruits;
• 5 cloves of garlic.

Slices of garlic and lemons grate, add honey, mix well and put in a cool place for 7-8 days. It is shown to take the composition of 1 tbsp. spoon a day for several months in a row.

In cosmetology

The fetus under consideration is also popular in cosmetology to combat skin defects, increase its elasticity, regeneration, and also improve the condition of hair.

To strengthen the hair:

• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice;
• 2 tbsp. tablespoons of vinegar;
• 1 liter of warm water.

The shampooing field rinse your hair several times and it will become smooth and shiny.

Anti-wrinkle:

• 1 teaspoon of citrus juice;
• 1 teaspoon oily sour cream.

Mix the ingredients and apply a thin layer on the skin of the face, after 10-15 minutes rinse with a cotton pad and water. The mask smoothes micro wrinkles and gives the skin a healthy look.

With water on an empty stomach

In the morning before the first meal, you should drink a glass of water with lemon juice from one segment of the fruit. Add juice to warm water; it is very important not to fill the drink with boiling water, as many properties will disappear under the influence of temperature.

With an ulcer

The use of this citrus in the daily diet of patients with an ulcer is contraindicated, but this applies to fresh fruit. To prevent exacerbation of the disease, you can use this recipe:

• 0.5 l of honey;
• 0.5 l of olive oil;
• juice of two citruses.

All components are thoroughly mixed and eat pulp before meals for 1 tbsp. spoon 2-3 times a day.

In oncology

Many studies have shown that some of the components in the fruit are really effective in combating several types of cancer and for its prevention. The best way to consume the fruit is to freeze it and use it in different dishes. It is necessary to wash the fruit and grate it together with the peel, put in the freezer, add to any dishes and drinks at least 2 times a week.

Side effects and compatibility

Due to the fact that the fruit itself is a complex of vitamins and minerals, its combination with other products and drugs can cause certain reactions that do not always positively affect the body:

1. Ascorbic acid in the composition of the fruit affects the action of statins, inhibiting them. You can not take medications based on them with lemon.
2. Taking cough and citrus preparations at the same time can cause drowsiness and weakness, you must observe the time interval in their use.
3. Coffee and the fruit in question are also not the best combination, since caffeine interferes with the absorption of iron, which is so beneficial and rich in fruit.

   

4. Lemon tea due to the formation of aluminum citrate can negatively affect brain function, so putting it in very hot tea is not a good idea.
5. Citrus along with dairy products can increase the acidity of gastric juice, which is especially harmful for people with gastritis, an ulcer.

Common questions

Lemon is a delicious and healthy fruit that you can simply eat and use to prepare various medicines. Citrus is widely used to fight diseases due to its rich in vitamins and nutrients composition.