8 Surprising Health Benefits of Lemons

Whether you enjoy them as flavor enhancers in your water or as a zesty dressing on top of a fresh fish filet, there’s plenty to love about tart and sweet lemons. At PurMEDICA, we know the tangy yellow fruit has a lot more to offer than just great taste. The humble lemon is also a powerhouse of vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients to keep your body running and looking its best. Here are eight unexpected health benefits you can reap just from adding lemons to your diet.

1. Lower Your Risk of Cancer

Did you know that vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant? Antioxidants protect the body from cancer by protecting against the formation of dangerous free radicals. The good news for lemon lovers is that just one unpeeled lemon contains 51% of daily recommended vitamin C intake. Even one ounce of lemon juice contains over 20% of daily vitamin C needs. If you know you’re at risk for cancer, go ahead and add some lemon juice to your daily diet.

2. Strengthen Your Immune System

The lemon’s high vitamin C content provides a wealth of other health benefits, including extra support for the body’s immune system. The vitamin is a known protector against bacteria and germs that lead to the flu and common cold. If you feel a cold coming on, try drinking water with lemon juice to keep your immune system working its best.

3. Avoid Asthma

Another one of the lemon’s health benefits is that it can help lower your risk for developing asthma. Vitamin C is at it again, with studies showing that people who consume more of the nutrient have lower incidences of asthma. Why? The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help fight off allergens produced in the lungs during occurrences of asthma.

4. Enhance Iron Absorption

Insufficient iron levels can put the body at risk for a host of health problems, including anemia. Considering that over 30% of the world’s population is anemic, that means about one in three people isn’t getting the iron their bodies need to function. Lemons are rich in the vitamin C your body needs in order to properly absorb iron. One of the best ways to reap the full benefits of lemons is to pair them with foods that are abundant in iron, like mussels, squash, or leafy greens.

5. Get Glowing, Healthy Skin

Lemons aren’t just great for your insides, they also work wonders for your appearance! Vitamin C is not only equipped to fight skin discoloration and damage from sun exposure and pollution, it also helps smooth wrinkles and improve the overall appearance and texture of skin. This is because the vitamin C found in lemons helps boost the formation of collagen, which maintains the skin’s moisture and elasticity. If you want that healthy glow, ditch drugstore soaps and beauty products that only dry your skin out and reach for the nearest lemon instead. Your body will thank you!

6. Assist Digestion

Drinking water with lemon juice in it is a great way to give a helping hand to your digestive system. It loosens toxins in the digestive tract and has shown to reduce symptoms of indigestion, including bloat and heartburn. Lemon juice also helps to stimulate the liver and improve enzyme function.

7. Feel Energized

If you love the surge of energy you get from drinking coffee in the morning but hate the caffeine crash that goes along with it, try making the switch to lemon water instead. Lemons have proven to give the body a boost of energy when they enter the digestive system. Why? They’re packed with electrolytes that will leave you feeling energized without the crash that comes with drinking caffeine. If you’re trying to eliminate caffeine from your diet, swap your morning coffee for a big glass of lemon water and enjoy.

8. Reduce Inflammation

Although lemons are extremely sour, they’re actually some of the most powerful alkalizing foods on the planet. Most of us eat diets that are too acid heavy, which results in a whole host of health problems ranging from inflammation to Alzheimer’s disease. Eating lemons is a great way to flush out acid build up, which leads to inflammation, and balance the body with healthy alkaline content.

Feel free to explore PurMEDICA or contact us for more information on the amazing benefits of the lemon and other healthy body tips.