Lemons are one of the most beloved citrus fruits, and for good reason; they offer a delightfully refreshing flavor and can bring out the taste of other foods, such as fish, lobster, chicken, and pork. If you love the taste of lemon, there is another reason to love this fruit besides its delicious flavor.
What is the reason? – The health benefits that it provides. Lemons are jam-packed with vital nutrients that can do a world of wonder for your overall health and well-being. They also contain antiseptic qualities, which is why they have been used as a way to treat and prevent various health conditions, from scurvy (a condition that affected sailors in the 16th and 17th centuries) to wounds.
What type of health benefits do lemons offer? Read on to find out 18 reasons why lemons can be beneficial and why you should consider making them a part of your daily regime.
1. It supports heart health
Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C. In fact, a single medium sized lemon offers about 30 mg of this essential vitamin, which is approximately 50 percent of the intake that is recommended on a daily basis. Research studies have shown that adding foods to your diet that are rich in vitamin C can help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
The high amount of vitamin C that lemon contains isn’t the only reason why this citrus fruit is good for your heart; they are also packed with fiber and contain plant compounds (specifically diosmin and hesperidin) that have been shown to drastically reduce the risk factors for developing heart disease, such as high levels of LDL cholesterol. Therefore if you want to promote better heart health – and improve your health overall – adding more lemons to your diet is a wise idea.