Lemon – the perfect choice for natural detox and young skin

Lemons are loaded with vitamin C – they contain 64% of your Daily Value in a 100 g serving. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and improves your overall health. It is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body and one of the main antioxidants, found in food. It travels through the body neutralizing any free radicals with which it comes in contact.

Free radicals can interact with the healthy cells in the body, damaging them and causing inflammation or painful swelling in the body. Vitamin C has been shown to be helpful for reducing some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Lemons contain pectin fiber which is very beneficial for colon health and also serves as a powerful antibacterial. It helps maintain the pH levels in your body, it strengthens the liver and is also used for the common cold and flu, H1N1 (swine) flu, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), Meniere’s disease, and kidney stones.

Adding lemon to your green tea helps you absorb 5 times more catechins – the compounds in green tea, that burn fat.

Green tea has been shown to boost the body’s metabolism and fight disease. When combined with lemon, green tea’s strength increases dramatically. A study found that citrus juices enable more of green tea’s unique antioxidants to remain after simulated digestion. Green tea has been shown to activate the body’s thermogenic fat-burning activity. Combining green tea with either citrus juices or vitamin C increases the amount of catechins available for the body to absorb. A study found, that citrus juice increased recovered catechin levels by more than 5 times.

The sour taste of lemon takes away the desire for sweet

Lemons are natural appetite suppressants. The pectin, contained in them has also been confirmed to hold back cravings. However, the majority of the pectin resides in the citrus peel, but the pulp also contains some. In lemon pulp the percentage of pectin is about 0.63 percent. So to acquire a good amount of this element you really need to get some of the rind as well.

A glass of warm lemon water, morning on an empty stomach will help improve your digestion

Citrus flavonoids are the primary cause of improved digestion. They have the ability to inhibit certain synthesis of fat in the body, helping prevent fatty liver, decrease risks of cardiovascular disease, they are fat-lowering and reduce insulin resistance.

It is believed that the citrus flavonoids in lemon water support the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which starts the process of breaking down the food.

A glass of warm lemon water in morning is believed to aid digestion, flush toxins as a diuretic, strengthen the immune system, energize the body, clear the skin, balance pH levels, hydrate the lymph system and help with weight loss.

Antioxidants in lemon keep your skin young

The acids in lemon juice contain high levels of antioxidants, which are linked to anti-aging properties. These flush out the toxins and free radicals, that are causing the breakdown of various tissues, such as the collagen and elastin fibers in the body.

Collagen gives the skin it’s strength, structure, and protects it from absorbing toxins. The Vitamin C found in lemons increases the production of collagen. Research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has showed, that plant derived antioxidants have the ability to reverse the breakdown of collagen fibers in the skin, which delays the aging process.

Lemons are super powerful fruits. Add them to your daily menu to enjoy their benefits. Try drinking a glass of warm lemon water on empty stomach in morning to detox and energize your body, strengthen your immune system and keep your skin young and beautiful!

Useful Links:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2581754/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15640470
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814606009356
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23254473
http://www.docsdrive.com/pdfs/medwelljournals/ijmmas/2006/1-6.pdf
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0102695X14000350
http://www.huji.ac.il/cgi-bin/dovrut/dovrut_search_eng.pl?mesge118871821232688760