45 Wonderful Benefits And Uses Of Lemon

Lemon is a very common fruit and is easily available. Most of us love having lemons or lemon juice in the summers to beat the summer heat but only few know that lemon has a number of nutritional benefits and can be used in many ways.

Lemon comes from an evergreen tree originally found in Asia and the fruit is usually greenish or yellow. The whole fruit with its pulp, the juice, the rind and the zest are used in cooking as well as non-culinary purposes. Lemon juice is often used to make lemonade and other lemon beverages. The juice contains 6% citric acid which makes its taste sour. They contain vitamin c, calcium, folate, vitamin b5, vitamin b3, vitamin b1 and b2, iron, magnesium, phosphors, potassium, zinc as well as sugar, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat and protein.

Health benefits of lemon:

Lemons have citric acid so they taste acidic but the juice helps to form alkaline in the body and are used in cooking as well as various other things.

Here we provide you an exhaustive list of health benefits of lemon:

1. Lemons are a rich source of vitamin c. vitamin c is essential to keep you immune from cough and cold. Also they contain flavonoids which work against viruses and keep the body fit.

2. Lemons help alkalize the body by restoring the pH balance of the body.

3. Drinking lemon juice with warm water in the morning will help in giving regular and easy bowel movement. This particular one of the lemon juice benefits can certainly come in handy at time! Following a lemonade diet is certainly beneficial for those with troubled bowel movements.

4. Lemon juice helps to dissolve uric acid and other poisons as well as it helps to liquefy the bile; thus it helps to stimulate the liver and detoxifies it.

5. In traditional ayurvedic medicine, lemon is greatly valued as it helps to help with gastric troubles, helps to keep vision safe, is pungent and works as an astringent.

6. Vitamin c which is found in lemons help to neutralize the free radicals which cause aging and diseases.

7. Lemon has been discovered to be the only food in the world which is anionic (ion with negative charge). So it is very important for the body.

8. Eye disorders have shown improvement with consumption of lemon which has rutin.

9. One of the uses of lemon has been discovered to be 22 anti cancer compounds which include limonene that slows down the growth of cancer tumors and flavonol glycosides which can stop cell division in cancer cells.

10. Lemon benefits includes it ability to help destroy the presence of intestinal worms

11. Lemon peel has tengeretin which has been proved to be effective for brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

12. Lemon is known for its antibacterial properties and can destroy malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other bacteria.

13. Vitamin p in lemon helps to strengthen blood vessels

14. Lemons use are highlighted in treating high blood pressure as well

15. Vitamin c in lemon helps to treat scurvy. British navy stocks its ships with lemons to help the sailors to have at least an ounce of juice each day.

16. The citric acid in lemon helps to dissolve gall stones, kidney stones as well as calcium deposits.

Lemon benefits for skin care:

17. Lemon is a great astringent and can be used as a skin astringent as well.

18. Lemon juice can work wonders for oily skin. Using lemon juice on skin can help reduce the excess oiliness of the skin.

19. Lemon juice is a natural antiseptic and if used within a facial mask, it can help clear oil and dirt as well as bacteria which cause breakouts.

20. Lemon juice is very effective to reduce acne. Use a small cotton bud dipped in freshly squeezed lemon juice to help reduce its appearance.

21. Lemon juice is also said to be effective on pimples and acne scars. Using freshly pressed lemon juice over scars after cleansing face in the evening will help reduce the appearance of scars.

22. Use lemon juice to lighten the freckle marks effectively. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice on freckles before going to bed at night. Follow the method for two weeks to see the freckles appear lightened.

23. If you feel the raw juice is too strong for your skin, add a little water to dilute it. This way the intensity will lessen.

24. Use lemon juice to make age marks less visible. Use lemon juice on the body parts such as elbows, knees, face, hands to get smooth skin and less visible age marks.

25. Lemon juice works great for nails as it has vitamin c which makes nails healthy and strong. To help keep nails healthy immerse the nails in a bowl of lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Then immerse them in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar.  Rinse off with water and see the difference in your nails.

26. Lemon works great to condition dry and damaged hair. Lemon juice used with 3/4th cup olive oil and ½ cup raw honey will help in keeping hair damage free and conditioned. Apply the mixture on hair and cover with a plastic wrap for half an hour. After the 30 minutes rinse off and use a mild shampoo to clean your hair.

Some miscellaneous uses of lemon:

27. Lemon peel is great for cleaning the micro oven. Sometimes food explosions create a mess and food items get stuck to the oven’s inner surface. So what should we do? Use lemon rind to get rid of these messes. Soak some rind into a microwave safe bowl and add water to it. Then microwave it for 5/6 minutes on high and watch out for the water to boil so that the steam fills the microwave. The condensed steam will help soften the messy food items. Then take out the bowl and carefully clean using a towel.

28. Sometimes we have a greasy spot on the stove, or on the kitchen table or maybe the dining table which is very hard to remove. But this problem can be fixed using a lemon. Take a lemon and cut it in half and use one piece sprinkled with salt to rub on the greasy spots. Then rub with a clean towel.

29. The chopping boards are often neglected and many bacteria may grow on it. Use lemon to gently refresh those cutting boards. Take a lemon, cut It in half and rub over the board and rinse with water.

30. Steel sinks and pots get dirty with water sediments and other deposits over them. Use lemon juice to get rid of them quickly.  To clean these items, just use lemon juice on the needed spots and rinse after a while and gently buff with a cloth to get rid of the stains.

31. Use a vegetable peeler to peel long strips from lemon to add as garnishing to drinks and cocktails. These look great. You may also use a knife to make the long peels. Store these peels in a sealed container or freezer safe bag and refrigerate for future use.

32. If your sugar turns into brick sugar the use some lemon peel to keep them dry.

Some lemon packs:

33. Body skin loses moisture when in contact with chlorinated water at the time of bathing. Use lemon along with turmeric and starch as a cleanser before bath.

34. Take 4 tablespoons of yogurt and 3 teaspoons of lemon juice and mix them well. Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil (any variant) to it and massage this pack on body using upward strokes and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then wash off and take your usual bath.

35. Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons tomato juice and 2 tablespoons milk in a bowl and apply it on the face and body. This mixture works as natural bleach.

36. Lemon juice can help relieve you from wrinkles. To make the anti wrinkle mask, use a tablespoon of honey and add some drops of lemon juice to it. Also add a few drops of almond oil (sweet) to this and mix the ingredients into a paste. Then use this on the face and keep it on for 15-20 minutes and then wash off.

37. Lemon also helps to relieve chapped lips. Mix a teaspoon of fresh cream, a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey and make this into a paste. Use this on the lips and rub it in. store the rest and use for a week to see results.

38. Lemon can be used to make your hands and body skin younger and beautiful. To make this application you will need the juice of a lime (freshly squeezed), a teaspoon of glycerin, and a cup of milk. Mix the milk and lemon juice in a small bowl, add the glycerin and make a mixture. Apply this mixture on body and face. Leave this mixture o for 25-30 minutes and then wash off. The best time to use this mixture is to use it before going to bed. For best results, use this every night for a week to see improvements. This works great on pimples, scars and relieves you from dryness as well as sun burn. Lemon juice benefits are obvious in this pack!

39. If you have freckles, then lemon will help to lighten them. For this you will need egg white, 1 teaspoon of lemon; also soak some almonds overnight in milk and peel them at morning and grind them. Take all the ingredients together and then make a mixture. Spread the mixture on the face and let it dry for 20 minutes. Then wash off the face with water.

40. Lemon can help in whitening your teeth as well as to keep bad breath away. Take a lemon and cut it in two halves, take some salt and baking soda on one half of the lemon and rub this on the teeth. This will make your teeth whiter. Also it will relieve you from problems of bad breath.

41. A great way to stop your hair fall problem is using lemons. Take 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil and add the juice of half a lemon to it. Apply this mixture on hair once a week. Follow this for 2-3 weeks to see results.

42. Do you know lemon juice can be used to delay graying of hair? Mix few drops of lemon juice with amla juice into a mixture and apply this each night before going to sleep. Follow this for a month and continue. This will not only stop hair fall but also keep you safe from premature graying.

43. Want smooth skin? Lemon is a great ingredient to use for face packs.  What you would need for this is a ripe banana, a few drops of lemon juice (freshly squeezed). Mix these two ingredients in a bowl and make a paste. Apply this on the face and leave it on till it dries. Then wash off with water to get a smooth skin.

44. Use a teaspoon of vegetable oil and add 1/4th of a teaspoon of lemon juice to it. Apply this on all the dry areas of the body like hands, elbows, heels and other body parts. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with water.

45. Dry skinned beauties may try this face pack using lemon juice, honey, cabbage (boiled).  Take 3 teaspoons of lemon juice and 3 teaspoons of honey in a bowl and mix it well. Now take ½ teaspoon of boiled and crushed cabbage. Mix it again into a paste and apply it on the face as well as neck.  Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off.

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
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%
Dietary Fiber	2.80 g	7%
Vitamins
Folates	11 µg	3%
Niacin	0.100 mg	1%
Pantothenic acid	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	–

(22) Amazing Benefits Of Pomegranates For Skin, Hair And Health

Pomegranates are usually found in the tropical region because the tropical climate supports their growth properly. It’s said to be a lucky fruit by the Chinese and is a traditional fruit in Greek weddings. Egyptians believe that this fruit provides eternity and so they bury these fruits along with the dead bodies. Other than these surprising ancient beliefs, there are number of health benefits of pomergranates that work wonders.

Pomegranate Benefits for Health

1. Prevents cancer:

Highly amount of anti-oxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C and iron in pomegranates fight against free radicals stopping them from damaging cells and thus preventing many cancers especially prostate cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer.

2. Prevents heart diseases:

Anti-oxidants present in pomegranates lower bad cholesterol, LDL and increases good cholesterol, HDL preventing heart diseases. Its juice increases the blood flow through the heart making it healthier.

3. Boosts immunity:

A medium sized pomegranate contains 15% of the daily required vitamin C which is very essential for a good immune system. So a pomegranate a day can boost your immunity.

4. Healthy skin:

Vitamin C helps in producing collagen for healthy skin. Pomegranate oil derived from its seeds can be applied on the body. Its anti-oxidants protect the skin from toxic gases and pollution preventing ageing and skin cancer. It helps in skin cells regeneration, removes dull and dead cells and gives healthy glowing skin.

5. Prevents osteoarthritis:

Pomegranate if taken daily can give strength to bones and prevents osteoarthritis.

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Tony Hisgett

6. Healthy arteries:

Plaque forms on the arteries which can be removed with daily intake of pomegranates. This also prevents further building up.

7. Blood pressure:

Pomegranate juice if taken daily can reduce high blood pressure up to 5%.

8. Prevents dental plaque:

Drink a glass of pomegranate juice daily and it can prevent dental plaque.

9. Prevents diarrhoea:

Pomegranates help in preventing diarrhoea.

10. Weight control:

Another of the pomegranate benefits is that it is high in anti-oxidants, if taken daily can help you in controlling your body weight. You can take the fruit in your daily diet and lose those extra calories.

11. Prevents cell damage:

The presence of anti-oxidants in high quantity fights against the free radicals which usually attack the cells and damage them. Regular consumption of this fruit can keep your body cells and tissues healthy.

12. Prevents Alzheimer’s disease:

One of the greatest health benefits of pomegranate is that if this fruit is taken daily, it can help in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. If the patient is already affected by this disease, then it can be slowed down with this fruit. It also improves the patient’s brain and helps to do daily activities properly and more actively.

So to get all the health benefits and beauty benefits from this delicious and juicy fruit, ensure that you eat an average sized pomegranate or drink a glass of pomegranate juice daily.

Pomegranate Benefits for Skin

These juicy red fruits can provide extraordinary benefits to your skin, thanks to their incredible antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties. They are often incorporated in a range of skincare products. They can do wonders for your skin in the following ways.

13. Maintains Skin Health:

Collagen is the basic component of your skin which ensures that your skin remains soft, smooth and firm. Certain compounds present in pomegranates stop the enzymes from breaking down collagen, thus maintaining skin health. They also assist in the growth of fibroplasts, the cells that produce elastin and fiber to ensure that your skin remains smooth and supple. Furthermore, this fruit stimulates proliferation of keratinocytes, the cells that form the outermost layer of your skin. Increase in the number of these cells enables your skin to repair itself better.

14. Aids in Cell Regeneration:

Skin damage often leads to problems like skin pigmentation and age spots. Pomegranates are beneficial in this regard as they protect the epidermis (outer layer of the skin), and facilitate skin cell regeneration in the epidermis and dermis (inner layer). They aid in the production of naturally occurring antioxidants by your body which help in regeneration of skin cells. In this way, they help in increasing circulation and aiding in tissue repair and wound healing.

15. Treatment of Acne:

Acne is caused due to digestive problems or hormonal imbalance. Pomegranate, being a rich source of vitamin C, can regulate the production of sebum, an oily substance secreted by your skin which is the root cause of pimples. It also corrects digestive problems, thus promoting healthy blood circulation in the body. You can apply pomegranate juice on the areas affected by pimples. This will prevent acne and scars by generating tissues in the affected area.

16. Beneficial for Dry Skin:

The small molecular structure of pomegranate enables it to penetrate deeply into the skin, making it effective for treating dry skin. It has the ability to soothe dry, cracked and irritated skin as it contains punicic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid that hydrates skin and prevents moisture loss.

17. Beneficial for Oily/Combination Skin:

Pomegranate oil is great for oily skin and is often used in skincare products meant for acne prone skin to combat breakouts, reduce scarring and soothe minor irritations.

18. Anti-ageing Benefits:

Pomegranates possess anti-ageing properties, thus rejuvenating your skin both internally and externally. Pomegranate juice is beneficial for the skin that is damaged due to sun exposure or ageing. The oil from pomegranate seeds helps strengthen the epidermis which reduces or delays wrinkles. This fruit repairs skin damage to provide you with smooth and youthful skin and extends the life of the fibroplasts, the cells that are involved in the production of collagen and elastin. The collagen and elastin pump up your skin and render it elasticity, thus keeping it youthful and minimizing the occurrence of wrinkles.

19. Sun Protection:

Pomegranates are a great way of countering the damaging effects of the harsh rays of the sun. They contain a number of antioxidants that protect your skin against free radical damage, thus preventing skin cancer, relieving sunburn and reducing the signs of sun damage. Pomegranate seed oil provides protection against skin cancer as it contains a large amount of ellagic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant which inhibits the growth of skin tumors.

20. Treatment of Skin Inflammation:

Pomegranate extracts are comparable to any ointment in soothing skin inflammation. They contain polyphenols along with other compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds of pomegranate contain excellent healing properties that promote rapid healing of your wound in case of cuts and scrapes. Consuming pomegranates and applying its extracts or pomegranate seed oil on the affected area ensures quick healing of your skin and fights infection. Moreover, it does not leave a scar or mark on the skin after healing.

Pomegranate Benefits for Hair

This delectable fruit is not likely to be effective in curing hair problems such as hair loss, dandruff, thinning hair etc. But it does contain nutrients that can benefit your hair indirectly. For instance, hair loss is often caused due to anaemia. Pomegranate improves circulation which might help in combating hair loss.

21. Strengthens Hair Follicles:

Drinking pomegranate juice helps in strengthening your hair follicles. Pomegranate extract is often used to treat hair loss. Pomegranate seed oil contains punicic acid which makes your hair strong, thick and healthy. It also improves circulation to the scalp, thus stimulating hair growth.

22. Treatment of Frizzy Hair:

Pomegranate oil is often used in hot oil treatments or pre-shampoo soothing for frizzy and over processed hair for the purpose of conditioning kinky, curly and wavy hair. It detangles your hair and moisturizes the hair shaft, thus enhancing the appearance and feel of your hair.

How to Select and Store?

• Selection: When buying pomegranates, always choose the fruits that are plump and round, heavy for their size and have rich, fresh color and flavor. They should have a thin yet tough skin without any cuts or blemishes. Their crown should be free of molds. Larger fruits are juicier than their smaller counterparts. The seeds sacs are generally of the size of your fingernails. The pips resemble corn kernels but are reddish, slightly translucent and have a thinner skin. The color of the rind need not necessarily be red. It can vary from being completely red to reddish brown but this will not affect the quality. Always prefer deep color though. Since pomegranates do not ripen once picked, they will not continue to develop sugar after being harvested. Thus, it is advisable to buy fully ripe fruits.

• Storage: At room temperature, pomegranates can last up to two weeks when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Whole fruits can be stored up to a month in a cool, dry area and can even be refrigerated up to two months. While it is not recommended to freeze the whole fruits, the seed pips can be frozen in an airtight bag for up to one year. Fresh juice can be refrigerated but it should be used within two to three days. Cut pomegranates should be consumed within four days as the flesh deteriorates quickly once the fruit is opened.

Tips for Usage (Cooking/ Eating)

This delicious and exotic fruit can form part of your daily meals to add more fiber, potassium and vitamin E to your diet. Pomegranates can be eaten in various ways. They can be eaten alone or form part of other dishes. In fact, the pomegranate seeds make a delicious and healthy snack.

Before proceeding to eat the pomegranate, you should clean it first. For this purpose, score the skin in quarters and open it up. Putting each quarter under water, ream the seeds with your fingers from inside. The pith, being lighter, will float on the top while the heavier seedy fruit will sink below. The water will loosen the seeds, making them easier to collect. Running your fingers through each quarter, scoop the seeds up, most of them would be floating on top of the water. Given below are certain tips for enjoying this juicy fruit.

1.  Powder of dried seeds can be used in meat dishes:

The seeds of the pomegranate are edible and many people chew on the seeds while eating the fruit to release the juice from the sacs, swallowing the seeds afterwards. These seeds are a good source of roughage that helps cleanse the body. In India, dried pomegranate seeds are ground into a powder which is used in meat dishes.

2.  Fruit can be squeezed for juice:

Some people only suck the juice from the seeds and then spit out the seeds. They can vigorously roll the fruit on a hard surface to break the juice sacs. When the fruit becomes soft, they can puncture the end, insert a straw and suck out the juice by squeezing the fruit. However, this process involves a fair amount of waste.

3.  Seeds add exotic flavor to foods:

Pomegranate seeds can be sprinkled on a variety of foods, thus imparting their exotic flavor to ordinary meals. You can sprinkle these seeds in your morning oatmeal or cereal and on top of mango cubes. They can also be stirred into your orange or apple juice and even your black tea for a tangy taste.

4.  Added in preparation of soups:

Pomegranate seeds can also be added to a variety of soups. You can even prepare a pomegranate soup and to make it more interesting, add a few vegetables to it.

5. Used in cocktails, drinks & ice creams:

Pomegranate juice has an acidic citrusy flavor. Thus, it is suitable for being used in citrus marinades, either wholly or partially for a flavor change. The French make thick red syrup from pomegranates known as “grenadine”. It is non-alcoholic and often used in cocktails such as Tequila Sunrise. It can also be used as a flavoring for children’s drinks and ice creams.

6. Great addition to various salads:

Pomegranates can be a great addition to all kinds of salads. You can prepare a seasonal salad by tossing fresh greens such as baby spinach or arugula with sliced pears, toasted walnuts, crumbled blue cheese and pomegranate seeds in lemon vinaigrette. A fruit salad can also be prepared by combining mangoes, pomegranate seeds and papaya, adding some lemon juice for zest. Pomegranate seeds can be added to a salad of walnuts, goat cheese and spinach, using a light honey based dressing.

7.  Made into salsa that can be served over chicken:

You can serve a delicious first course by topping seasoned, sautéed or roasted chicken with pomegranate salsa. For preparing salsa, pomegranate seeds can be stirred with finely chopped red pepper and bite sized orange segments. This salsa can be served over chicken.

8. Used to prepare variety of smoothies:

Pomegranate seeds can be added to a variety of smoothies, alcoholic beverages and juices. All you need to do is blend the pomegranate seeds in a blender until they are liquefied and pour the resulting liquid through a strainer. This liquid can be used to make pomegranate mojito, pomegranate wine or added to a mango smoothie.

9. Add variety & flavor to desserts:

Pomegranate seeds can add variety and flavour to desserts as well. They can be sprinkled over yoghurt or ice cream. They can also be sprinkled over a chocolate cake along with a few raspberries.

10.  Pomegranate juice can be heated with apple cider and a cinnamon stick. After removing the cinnamon seeds, it can be served in a heatproof glass and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds.

It is never too late to add this miracle fruit to your daily diet plan as the amount of benefits that you would be reaping, definitely outweighs the drawbacks. So, next time don’t forget to include this fruit in your favourite fruits list. Stay fit, stay happy!

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	83 Kcal	4%
Carbohydrates	18.70 g	14%
Protein	1.67 g	3%
Total Fat	1.17 g	6%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	4 g	11%
Vitamins
Folates	38 µg	9.5%
Niacin	0.293 mg	2%
Pantothenic acid	0.135 mg	3%
Pyridoxine	0.075 mg	6%
Riboflavin	0.053 mg	4%
Thiamin	0.067 mg	5.5%
Vitamin A	0 IU	0%
Vitamin C	10.2 mg	17%
Vitamin E	0.60 mg	4%
Vitamin K	16.4 µg	14%
Electrolytes
Sodium	3 mg	0%
Potassium	236 mg	5%
Minerals
Calcium	10 mg	1%
Copper	18%	0.158 mg
Iron	0.30 mg	4%
Magnesium	12 mg	3%
Manganese	0.119 mg	5%
Phosphorus	36 mg	5%
Selenium	0.5 µg	1%
Zinc	0.35 mg	3%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	0 µg	–
Crypto-xanthin-ß	0 µg	–

Hope this article enlisting all pomegranate nutritional benefits will be very helpful for you. So, are you going to include this fruit in your list of healthy foods? Do let us know your thoughts in the form of comments.