Fruit - Lemon

Lemon

Principle	Nutrient Value(100g)	PercentageofRDA
Energy	29 Kcal	1.5%
Carbohydrates	9.32 g	7%
Protein	1.10 g	2%
Total Fat	0.30 g	1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
DietaryFiber	2.80 g	7%
Vitamins
Folates	11 µg	3%
Niacin	0.100 mg	1%
Pantothenicacid	0.190 mg	4%
Pyridoxine	0.080 mg	6%
Riboflavin	0.020 mg	1.5%
Thiamin	0.040 mg	3.5%
Vitamin C	53 mg	88%
Vitamin A	22 IU	1%
Vitamin E	0.15 mg	1%
Vitamin K	0 µg	0%
Electrolytes
Sodium	2 mg	0%
Potassium	138 mg	3%
Minerals
Calcium	26 mg	3%
Copper	37 µg	4%
Iron	0.60 mg	7.5%
Magnesium	8 mg	2%
Manganese	0.030 mg	1%
Zinc	0.06 mg	0.5%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	3 µg	--
Carotene-α	1 µg	--
Crypto-xanthin-β	20 µg	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	11 µg	--
Lycopene	0 µg	--

1. Reduce oxidant injury to DNA:Lemons, like oranges, contain a variety of phytochemicals. Hesperetin, naringin, and naringenin are flavonoid glycosides commonly found in citrus fruits. Naringenin is found to have bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator. This substance has also been shown to reduce oxidant injury to DNA in the cells in-vitro studies.
2. Combat Cancer:Additionally, they also compose a minute levels of vitamin A, and other flavonoid anti-oxidants such as α, and ß-carotenes, ß-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps the body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
3. Controls heart rate and BP:Further, they carry a healthy amount of minerals like iron, copper, potassium, and calcium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
4. Dietary:They contains zero saturated fats or cholesterol, but are good source of dietary fiber (7.36% of RDA). Lemon is one of the very low glycemic fruits.
   Lemons are packed with numerous health benefiting nutrients. The fruit is less in calories, carrying just 29 calories per 100 g, the value being one of the lowest for the citrus fruits group.
5. Alkalising :Lemons are acidic to begin with but they are alkaline-forming on body fluids helping to restore balance to the body's pH.
6. Dissolves stones :The citric acid in lemon juice helps to dissolve gallstones, calcium deposits, and kidney stones.
7. Strengthens Blood vessels :Blood vessels are strengthened by the vitamin P (bioflavinoids) in lemon thus prevents internal hemorrhage. Also, making it useful in treating high blood pressure.
8. Fights eye-disorders :The symptoms of eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy have been shown in research to improve due to the rutin, found in lemons.
9. Eradication of Brain diseases :The lemon peel contains the potent phytonutrient tangeretin, which has been proven to be effective for brain disorders like Parkinson's disease.
10. Destroys intestinal worms:Ayurveda medicine values the lemon as a fruit and for its properties. It is sour, warm, promoter of gastric fire, light, good for vision, pungent and astringent.
11. Liver loves lemons :Lemon is a wonderful stimulant to the liver and is a dis-solvent of uric acid and other poisons, liquefies the bile. Fresh lemon juice added to a large glass of water in the morning is a great liver detoxify.
12. Antibacterial properties :Lemons have powerful antibacterial properties; experiments have found the juice of lemons destroy the bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases.
13. Anionic :Lemon is the ONLY food in the world that is anionic (an ion with a negative charge). All other foods are cationic (the ion has a positive charge.) This makes it extremely useful to health as it is the interaction between anions and cations that ultimately provides all cell energy.
14. Cleans your bowels :Lemons increase peristalsis in the bowels, helping to create a bowel movement thus eliminating waste and helping with regularity. Add the juice of one lemon to warm water and drink first thing in the morning.

1. Hair Care :
   • Anti-dandruff : Lemon is used as anti-dandruff agent for hair to remove dandruff from hair.
   • Hair Lightener : Score dye-free DIY highlights with lemon juice. Apply it before you expose your hair to sunlight to score a sun-kissed colour. The lemon juice can also help treat a dry scalp and dandruff, so apply it liberally.
2. Lip exfoliator : Put a little lemon juice on your lips before bedtime, and wash it off in the morning to help remove dead skin cells and dried skin. One caveat: "Obviously, if you already have severely chapped lips that have any cuts, do not try this.
3. Sweat relief :Lemon with 1/4 spoon of salt and sugar, every day ; is very healthy for glow and healthy skin.
4. Nail strengthener : Make a mixture of your favourite cooking oil (try olive oil) with lemon juice, and soak your nails. This is a good practice if your nails are dry and brittle, but it's also a great way to help fix nails that have yellowed.
5. Body care :Lemon is great for reducing excess oil.Lemon is dried and powered and can be used as bath powder .
6. Skin brightener : Lemons are rich in vitamin C and citric acid, so they can help brighten and lighten your skin when used over time. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant for neutralizing free radicals and boosting collagen production.That means it can help lighten age spots, dark spots, or a fake tan gone wrong. Remember to wear SPF when using lemon juice on your skin, though, since the citrus fruit can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
7. Clarifying moisturiser :Mix a few drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. The coconut will hydrate your skin, and lemon will clear and brighten it.
8. Elbow and knee bleacher :If your elbows and knees appear dark, simply rub them with half of a lemon."It's like magic!"
9. Blackhead treatment :It may sound too good to be true, but because lemons are antibacterial, they can help treat acne. Just slice a lemon, and squeeze the juice on your face. Your blackheads will start to fade before you know it.
10. Cleansing wipes :Mix a couple drops of lemon and tea tree essential oil in about 6 ounces of distilled water. It as a toner or for use with cotton pads as a cleansing wipe for problematic skin.
11. Teeth whitener : Mix baking soda and lemon juice, and apply it to your teeth with a clean Q-tip. Then, use your toothbrush to scrub your teeth and rinse. It's way cheaper than going to your dentist's office
12. Canker sore treatment :Use a few drops of the lemon essential oil on your canker sores to help them heal faster.

1. Mouth Reaction:Lemon juice is very low in PH, about 2.0. In some sensitive people, its sour, acidic juice may sometimes elicit burning sensation if come in contact with mouth, tongue, and lip ulcers. In addition, if taken in large amounts, may exacerbate acid-peptic disease and stomach ulcer conditions.
2. Tooth Decay :Because of its high citric acid content, lemon juice can cause tooth enamel to decay. Canned lemon juice was found to cause erosion in tooth enamel. This led to stained teeth, a loss of dental tissue and, in some cases, cavities. To reduce the risk of enamel decay from lemon juice, do not drink the juice straight on its own; mix it with other foods and liquids. Proper and regular dental care will keep the acid from wearing away at your teeth.
3. GERD and Ulcers :GERD is also known as gastroesphageal reflux disorder, symptoms of which are heartburn, nausea and vomiting. GERD symptoms are triggered by fatty, spicy or acidic foods, of which lemon juice is one. Lemon juice can exacerbate GERD symptoms as the acid content can irritate the esophageal lining. If you have ulcers, the increased acid content can also irritate the stomach lining and stop the ulcer from healing properly.
4. Skin allergies:Lemon juice applied on your skin can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.Hence there is a chance of skin allergies.

1. Season Available:Peak season is April through August, though they are available
2. Selection:Choose big, plump, firm lemons that feature heavy for their size. Select rich bright yellow colored fruits, imparting fresh citrus aroma that can be appreciable when you gently roll your finger over them.
   Avoid dark-green colored as they are immature and would not be as much juicy. Also, avoid those with dark spots, overtly soft or spongy as they tend to perish early.
3. Storing:store them in plastic pouch and place inside the refrigerator where they keep well for up to a week.
   Store freshly squeezed lemon juice inside the freezer compartment for later use.
   Store dried zest in a cool, dry place in an air-tight glass container away from moisture.
4. Serving:Wash the fruit in cold water just before using. Scrub gently if using the zest. In general, the fruit is cut into two equal halves to squeeze-extract juice. One may also get the help of juice extracting appliances.
5. Safety:
6. Cooking Tips:
   1. Both fruit as well as its juice is the most sought after ingredients in variety of cuisines worldwide.
   2. Iced lemon tea is a refreshing drink.
   3. Dried preserved lemons are being employed as condiment in Persian cuisine.
   4. Lemon/lime pickles are favorite side dishes in Middle East, India, Morocco, etc.