Ayesha Aziz

Tangy, citrusy and sour – this succulent fruit is in a league of its own when it comes to creating a flavour blast. But there’s something else that this bright yellow ball of happiness is famous for – health benefits. A cold, refreshing drink of lemonade during a hot, sweaty summer month is like salvation for the parched mouths. Sometimes they are even added to savoury foods for the oomph. 

Of course, one cannot forget the sweet, creamy presence of this fruit in tarts, creams, sponge cakes, pastries, and cookies. They are especially beneficial after you’ve had a heavy meal to eat. Lemon teas can ease your over-eating of fatty food guilt. You’ll feel its detoxifying and calming effects almost immediately.  

You can enjoy it all you want, this little friend, would not likely come to betray you. It is not only the fleshy, juicy insides that are good for you but also its peels. It’s a wholesome fruit. But remember to be careful about not eating it like an orange. It might have a close resemblance to them but its direct application on teeth can be quite damaging for the enamel. Now that we have that out of the way let’s demystify some of the hype around this fruit while finding out some of its benefits. 

It might Prevent Cancer 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, more prevalent in middle and low-income countries. In 2018, 9.6 million people died as a result of it. A third of cancer cases are caused as a result of reasons such as high BMI, poor intake of fruits and vegetables, lack of physical activity, and consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Research shows that almost 20% of cancer cases can be prevented as a result of increasing fruit and vegetable intake.

However, there has been conflicting pieces of evidence on the effectiveness of lemons in helping with cancer. Some animal studies have shown promising results. Citrus fruits have been found to have anticancer properties so this fruit might help in the prevention of cancer. 

Lemons can Help with Weight Loss

You might’ve noticed that a lot of gym-goers drink lemon water. It is even drunk by those who are on a diet regime of some sort. This is because it is widely believed that lemon can help with weight loss. There is certainly research that suggests that it does actually hold that kind of powers. 

However, drinking it alone will not probably help you lose any extra pounds. Some believe that the pectin fibre present in lemons (which is also used in jelly-making) swells up in the stomach, giving a feeling of fullness. This will make you feel less hungry. There’s not much data to back this though. There are various and complex mechanisms by which it can work to reduce body fat. 

You can Better Deal with Various Aches and Pains 

Many of the compounds present in lemons are quite beneficial. Vitamin C is most commonly considered a cure for sore throats during the winter season. It can explain the voracious orange eating contests. Drinking warm lemon water can also help. It can also prevent bacterial infections. 

Furthermore, citric acid, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, copper, iron, magnesium, and a host of other beneficial compounds are present in it. 

Popular for its detoxifying properties, many beauty gurus apply this on their heads for greater shine or face (diluted with water) for acne scars, glowing and smooth skin. It can also be used as an exfoliator for scrubbing dead skin off of lips. Needless to say, you can definitely find yourself a golden nugget in it.