Many of us know lemons. We even know how powerful and beneficial this citrus fruit is. Most citrus fruits are very rich in many vital nutrients, and including vitamin C. Often, we have concentrated so much on consuming the actual fruit, and the peel leftovers are thrown away. However, did you know that there are several benefits of lemon peels not only for your body but also for your surroundings?
So the next time you think of just throwing those lemon peels, think for a second. These may be the proper remedy for your body to fight that cancer, improve your heart health or help you lose that ugly weight. Therefore, read on and discover the many health benefits of lemon peels.
Amazing facts about the Lemon Tree
The lemon tree is a species of small, evergreen, flowering tree found in many places around the world. This tress produces a green fruit – before ripening, which becomes yellow – when ripe.
This fruit is known for its juice which is bitter or sour. This juice has many health benefits, such as helping in weight loss, body detox, heart health improvement, and boosting the immune system. In addition, this juice is also helpful for cooking and baking.
The lemon juice contains about 5% to 6% citric acid, with a pH of about 2.2. These give it that sour taste. The distinctive taste of lemon juice makes it a key ingredient in many drinks and foods such as lemonade and lemon meringue pie.
The origin of the Lemon
Although lemons are thought to have first been grown in northeast India and China, the origin of a lemon remains unknown to date. In addition, a genomic study of the lemon indicates that it was a hybrid between a bitter and sours orange plus citron.
Furthermore, Lemons are preserved in Morocco in jars or barrels containing salt. Salt, therefore, penetrates the peel and the rind, which helps soften and cure them so that they can last longer. In addition, the preserved lemon is used in a wide variety of dishes in Sicilian, Italian, Greek, and French cuisine.
Furthermore, lemon peels are also used in the manufacturing of pectin – a polysaccharide used as a gelling agent, thickening agent, and stabilizer for food and other products.
The benefits of Lemon peels
Here are the benefits of lemon peels to the body:
1. Improves oral health
Lemon peels contain many antibacterial substances that may inhibit microorganism growth within your mouth. In addition, these microorganisms are responsible for various oral diseases that attack the gums and the teeth. One common bacteria is Streptococcus mutans, a facultatively anaerobic, gram-positive coccus, a significant contributor to tooth decay.
That said, you can improve your oral hygiene with a peel from a lemon. Furthermore, several studies indicate that by eating lemon peels frequently, you will also improve your breath.
2. Helps you lose weight
Lemon peels promote weight loss. In addition, they help slow down fat accumulation within your body. They allow you to lose weight by making you feel full for longer because of the pectin fibre.
Furthermore, this pectin is only found in lemon peels and not in lemon juice. Over time, Lemon peel has proven to be the fastest way to melt fat and has been the most proven way for slimming. Therefore, you can melt that stubborn fat with lemon peels.
3. Helps boost the immune system
Many people drink lemon juice to improve their immune system. This is because of vitamin C found in lemons. Also, Vitamin C allows our bodies to resist various infections. But when you eat the peels, this advantage doubles because Lemon peels contain some citrus bioflavonoids, which help boost your immune system. Furthermore, these substances will help your body in eliminating various toxins from the body.
4. Rich in antioxidants
Lemon peels contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are plant compounds that prevent cellular damage by fighting free radicals within your body. Some of the common oxidants found in lemon peels include D-limonene and vitamin C. In addition, animal studies also indicate that D-limonene increases the activity of an enzyme responsible for reducing oxidative stress.
5. Improves the digestive system’s health
Research indicates that Lemon peels may help improve the health of your digestive system. Lemon peels are suitable for your digestive system. In addition, Lemon peels increase acid within your stomach and help break down food. Furthermore, Lemon peels decrease indigestion, gas and bloating.
Lemon peels help in the cleansing process and assist in stimulating the liver in thinning the bile. Therefore, this helps in reducing constipation. Lemon peel contains fibre which is crucial for keeping your digestive system healthy. This fibre is responsible for lowering inflammation and keeping your metabolism in check.
6. Lowers cholesterol and improves heart health
Lemons are rich in vitamin C. Furthermore, one lemon provides about 31 mg of vitamin C; this is about 51% of the reference daily intake (RDI). Science further indicates that eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C can significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease, including stroke.
In addition, Flavonoids, vitamin C, and pectin found in lemon peels may promote heart health by lowering your blood cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of developing other heart diseases.
7. Remedy for gallstones
According to several studies, D-limonene can help treat gallstones. Limonene is a chemical found in several citrus fruit rinds, like lemons and oranges. It is often referred to as D-limonene, which is its main chemical form. Various experiments indicate many people have gotten rid of gallstone after regular consumption of this lemon compound.
8. Improves bone health
Lemon peels contain calcium. Calcium is responsible for maintaining strong bones as well as cellular communication. Furthermore, calcium is responsible for preventing bone-related diseases like inflammatory polyarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. So for you to have strong bones, then you need to increase the intake of lemon peels.
9. Helps protect against cancer
Cancer has claimed many lives – worldwide. It is still one major health issue facing humanity today. Did you know that lemon peels could help protect you against cancer? Science indicates that lemon peels have many cancer-fighting properties. As such, these peels may be the best remedy for cancer. So next time, don’t just throw these lemon peels because they may save your life or that of your loved one.
10. Strengthens Blood Vessels
Lemon peel and juice may limit the amount of bruising and may help speed recovery. This is because the flavonoids in lemons help to strengthen blood vessel walls within your body. Therefore, including them in your diet may help you heal quickly.
11. Removes bad smell anywhere
Wherever that bad smell is coming from, pick a lemon peel and place it there. Then wait to see the magic take place. Is it the fridge or trashcan? Lemon peels can naturally neutralize gross smells. This is one of the benefits of lemon peels you can use in the household.
12. Makes a powerful cleaning solution
Lemons are natural cleaning products, including their peels. Try them by putting the peels in a jar of water lemon solution to improve the smell of your entire house.
13. DIY beauty treatment
Citric acid from the lemon peels could help in treating acne. Just grate the lemon skins, mix with the juice. Then, gently massage the mixture into your face and see the transformation to beauty take place. This is one of the benefits of lemon peels in maintaining good skin care.
14. An insect repellant
Lemon peels are natural insect repellants with a natural smell. Naturally, mosquitos hate the smell of lemon and orange peels. Improve the beauty and health of your home by repelling these insects. Just grate some lemon peels and place them around your house.
How to use Lemon peels
There are many different ways to add lemon peels to your diet to get all these benefits. You can use lemon zest on baked foods. Furthermore, you can use it in a salad or yogurt. Just grate them and sprinkle them there.
In addition, you can also add dehydrated lemon peels to tea or salt and pepper for seasoning. You can grate the peel for soups, drinks, dressings, and marinades. Lastly, you can even add salt and save it for indefinite use on these and other various dishes.
Conclusion
Most of the time, we focus too much on the lemon juice and overlook the peels. However, with all the benefits of lemon peels, you may want to think twice the next time you want to throw them away. They may help your heart function well, help you lose weight, or better still, help your body maintain strong bones with the supply of calcium. So why not try putting them to good use by grating them and adding them to your baking, salad or marinades. Try these tips now to get the most out of the benefits of lemon peels we mentioned.