Benefits of Lemon

Lemons are packed with plentiful health benefiting nutrients. The fruit is low in calories, only 29 calories per 100 gram, one of the lowest among citrus group. Lemon contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, but is wealthy in dietary fiber (7.36% of RDA). Its acidic taste is due to citric acid. Citricacid is present up to 8% in its juice. Citric acid is a natural preservative, aids, digestion. Most of studies found that citric acid plentiful to helping in dissolve kidney stones. Lemons, like other citrus fruits, are exceptional source of ascorbic acid and provide about 88% of DRI). Ascorbic acid or vitamin-C is a powerful water soluble natural anti-oxidant. This vitamin is helpful in preventing scurvy. Besides, consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the blood. Lemons like oranges contain a diversity of phytochemicals. Hesperetin and naringenin are flavonoid glycosides commonly found in citrus fruits.

Naringenin is found to have a bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator. This substance has also been shown to decrease oxidant injury to DNA in the cells in-vitro studies. And also contain diminutive level of vitamin A, and other flavonoid anti-oxidants such as α and ß-carotenes, beta-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A also requisites for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. Total ORAC value, which measures the anti-oxidant strength of 100 g of fresh lemon juice, is 1225 µmol TE (Trolex equivalents).They also an excellent source of B-complex vitamins such as pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are vital in the sense that body has need of them from external sources to replenish. Lemons contain healthy amount of minerals, like iron, copper, potassium, and calcium. Potassium in a significant component of cell and body fluids assists control heart rate and blood pressure.