The lemon is high in vitamin C, fiber and various beneficial plant compounds. These nutrients are responsible for the health benefits of lemons. In fact, lemons may support heart health, weight control, digestive health and more.
This article lists 7 health benefits of lemons that are backed by science.
1. Support Heart Health
One lemon provides about 31 mg of vitamin C, which is 51 % of your recommended daily intake. Eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
2. Help Control Weight
Plant compounds in lemons may help with weight loss. Plant compounds in lemon extracts may prevent or reduce weight gain in a number of ways.
3. Prevent Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small lumps that form when waste products crystallize and build up in the kidneys. Citric acid may help prevent kidney stones by increasing urine volume and increasing urine pH, creating a less favorable environment for kidney stone formation.
4. Protect Against Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is quite common. It occurs when you don't get enough iron from the foods you eat. Lemons contain some iron, but primarily they help prevent anemia by improving your absorption of iron from plant foods.
5. Reduce Cancer Risk
Observational studies have found that people who eat the most citrus fruit have a lower risk of cancer, but other studies have found no effects. In test tubes, many compounds from lemons have killed cancer cells.
6. Improve Digestive Health
Lemons are made up of about 10% carbs, mostly in the form of soluble fiberand simple sugars. The main fiber in lemons is pectin, a form of soluble fiber that is linked to all sorts of health benefits.
7. Maintaining a Healthy Complexion
Vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, the support system of the skin.
When eaten in its natural form or applied topically, vitamin C can help fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture, according to findings of a study on mice, published in 2014.