In addition to vitamin C, lemon contains important citrus properties such as folates and flavonoids, as well as other compounds such as phenolic acids, coumarins, carboxylic acids and amino acids. Popularly used to treat stomach pain and colds, its benefits go much further:

• Helps prevent infections

• Lemon citrate prevents kidney stones

• It is indicated to treat scurvy, sore throat and fever

• Also indicated for hypertension, rheumatism and kidney stones

• It has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective and cardio protective properties.

• Improves absorption of non-heme iron from green vegetables, beets and beans

• Helps in the healing process and stimulates collagen synthesis

• Helps reduce heartburn (has a high citric acid content)

“The citric acid in lemons is between 5 and 7% and, when it is free, when ingested it oxidizes and behaves as an “alkalizer.” That is, it neutralizes internal acidity, stabilizing the pH of the blood,” explains nutritionist Jessica Ferreira, specialist in sports nutrition and cardiovascular diseases.

There is a lot of talk about lemon being miraculous, with a detoxifying function, helping to lose weight, strengthening the immune system, among other benefits. To leave no doubt, we asked the nutritionist to clarify some myths and truths:

It is detoxifying MYTH

Lemon, like other fruits that are sources of vitamin C (acerola, cashew, tangerine and orange) has antioxidant compounds that fight free radicals in cells, reducing oxidative stress, but on its own it does not have a detox function. According to the nutritionist, the detoxification process in the body is not just food. “It is the sum of the consumption of healthy foods and the elimination of foods that have toxic components, heavy metals, or that cause an immunological reaction and/or intolerance in the body,” she explains.

Strengthens the immune system .  TRUE

Because it is rich in vitamin C (antioxidant), lemon acts directly on the immune system. But its immediate consumption is recommended to take advantage of the bioavailability of vitamin C and other unstable compounds, sensitive to light and temperature.

With warm water it helps to lose weight .  MYTH

The nutritionist clarifies that our body has a physiological mechanism known as thermoregulation that regulates internal temperature when we ingest water or warm and hot foods, and this is what causes gastric distension or contraction, but nothing relevant to altering caloric expenditure.

Helps with digestion. TRUE

The citric acid in lemon, when consumed on an empty stomach, stimulates the production of digestive fluids from the stomach, liver and pancreas. “Other foods also generate this stimulus. The lemon will only anticipate this process when more food arrives, facilitating digestion,” explains the nutritionist.

Fights fat absorption. MYTH

Lemon helps digestion, but what combats fat absorption is consuming fewer calories and spending more (calorie deficit), and eating a balanced diet.

Aggravates gastrointestinal problems. MYTH

Although it is an acidic fruit, lemon can help reduce heartburn due to its high content of citric acid, which when ingested oxidizes and works as a blocker of heartburn, behaving as an “alkalizer.” that is, a neutralizer of internal acidity, which stabilizes the pH. To do this, the nutritionist recommends squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water.

Beneficial for the diet. TRUE

Lemon juice participates in the detoxification of the body and fights free radicals in the body, reduces inflammation and increases the feeling of satiety. However, in any fruit juice the ideal is not to add sugar, so you should not abuse lemon juice. “And it is important to bet on the variety of citrus,” advises the nutritionist.

Prevents fluid retention. TRUE

Potassium, present in fruit, helps maintain fluid balance in the body, combined with adequate water intake and reduced salt consumption.

Avoid colds. TRUE

Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which modulates the immune system, reduces allergic and cold processes, and increases the action of immune cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages. “Healthy adults need 100 to 200 mg/day of ascorbic acid. In 100 g of lemon there are 32.8 mg,” explains the nutritionist, warning that oranges have more (59 mg) and acerola even more (941 mg).

Balances the pH of the blood. TRUE

Our body constantly works to maintain the blood pH slightly alkaline (between 7.3 and 7.4). And, according to the nutritionist, one way to contribute to this balance is to consume foods that are sources of precursor nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, which are mostly of plant origin. Lemon is considered “alkalizing” due to the alkaline organic residue it leaves in the body after digestion.

Accelerates metabolism. MYTH

Lemon can be a facilitator in weight loss, only because it has compounds that help the body reduce inflammation, but the fruit does not have a thermogenic effect. “The ideal is to follow a healthy diet, with mild calorie restriction, and practice physical activity to accelerate metabolism,” advises the nutritionist.

Detox juice and lemon cake

The nutritionist indicates two easy recipes with lemon. And in this link you will find 20 more recipes!

detox juice

1 squeezed lemon, 1 slice of ginger, 1 medium cabbage and 1 small apple. Blend everything in a blender and drink immediately (without straining).

Lemon cake

• 1 large Sicilian lemon, peeled and pitted

• 1 cup of cornstarch

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (or rice flour, almond flour, soy flour)

• 3 tablespoons of butter, or 30 ml of coconut oil

• 3 eggs

• 2 cups of sugar, 1 1/2 cups of xylitol, 4 tablespoons of honey or molasses.

• 100 ml of 24-hour milk kefir (24-hour fermentation)

• 1 level tablespoon of yeast

Preparation method: beat all the ingredients well before mixing the flour. After adding the flour, beat a little more and finally add the yeast. Lightly grease the mold and bake at 180° for 30 minutes.

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