With so much hype surrounding new and exotic superfoods it’s very easy to forget the simple traditional superfoods that have stood the test of time. These are the superfoods we’ve been using every day for generations without even thinking of the incredible health benefits they bestow.

Traditional superfoods are readily available and much less costly. One of the most valuable of the traditional superfoods is the humble lemon, peel and all, which certainly packs a powerful punch when it comes to turbo-charging your health.

Lemons really are a wonder food loaded with nutrients and health benefits. Well-known as an excellent source of vitamin C, they also contain a wide range of other nutrients. These include flavonoids, vitamin B-complex, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper and phosphorous, citric acid and fibre.

LEMONS – ACIDIC OR ALKALINE?

Many people get confused about whether lemons are acidic or alkaline. They wonder how lemons can be an “alkaline food” when they’re so acidic to taste. In fact they’re both.

Outside the body lemon juice is acidic. But once the lemon juice has been fully metabolised within the body and its minerals have been dissociated into the bloodstream its effect is alkalizing..

This means it raises the pH of body tissues making them alkaline. In acidic environments the structure and function of the cell are damaged. Lemons help to return the body to a healthier alkaline state to fight off the wide range of dangerous and unpleasant illnesses including cancer associated with acidic body fluids.

Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods around.

 

WARM LEMON WATER, YOUR #1 HEALTH PRACTICE

My Number 1 Wellness Recommendation

If you can only do ONE thing to improve your health, then it should be to drink the juice of half a lemon in a glass of warm water every morning. The trick is to do it when you first rise in the morning, half an hour before you eat or drink anything else.

The combination of lemon and warm water encourages the production of bile by the liver. This supports the liver, prevents liver disease and helps eliminate toxins. It stimulates gastric juices and acts well to cleanse the bowel.

Even just adding a few drops of lemon juice to water or food can aid in digestion and cleanse the system.

How Lemon Water can Boost Health

✧ Help weight loss

✧ Improve digestion

✧Assist your liver to eliminate toxins

✧ Help elimination of toxic wastes

✧ Balance pH within your body

✧ Protect your cardiovascular and nervous systems

✧ Boost your immune system

That’s 7 brilliant reasons for you to drink warm lemon water in the morning

Here’s instructions about how to make and take Warm Lemon Water so you can start right away.

But warm lemon water is only the beginning of discovering the beauty and power of the lemon. Read on for other reasons to eat more lemons.

13 REASONS TO EAT LEMONS EVERY DAY

1. Blood Sugar Regulation

The incidence of Insulin Resistance is increasing. It occurs when the body fails to respond to its own blood sugar regulator, insulin. When blood sugar levels increase, it can lead to diabetes. Eating a low GI (glycemic index) diet combined with weight management are essential in managing this condition.

But selecting foods with low to medium GI ranking is just the start. You can do more to lower the glycemic index of your meal by up to 20 -40% just by adding a few teaspoons of lemon juice. Lemon juice lowers the insulin response to carbohydrates. It also slows down the time it takes a meal to leave your stomach – a key to dropping your weight

2. Fight Cancer

Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds including limonene. Limonene is a natural oil that helps to slow or halt the growth of cancer. Lemons also contain flavanol glycosides which can halt cell division in cancers. This study showed the limonoids present in lemons and other citrus fruit, impede both ER+ and ER- breast cancer cell growth. It supports past studies which showed lemon consumption may lower breast cancer risk. This study shows limonene protects against digestive and upper respiratory tract cancers.

3. Eye Protection

The rutin in lemons can help maintain eye health and protect against disorders like retinopathy.

4. Cardiovascular Benefits

The bioflavonoids in lemons help strengthen blood vessels and keep them soft and pliable. They prevent internal haemorrhage and are useful for reducing high blood pressure.

5. Calm Digestion

Adding just a few drops of lemon juice to your meal helps with both indigestion and constipation, as it acts as a blood purifier and cleansing agent.

6. As an Antiseptic

Lemons are useful for treating acne because they have powerful antiseptic properties. As an antibacterial they destroy intestinal worms which thrive in an acidic digestive system. Changing the gut environment to alkaline destroys them.

7. Reverse Low Oxygen

Lemon juice is very useful in places with insufficient oxygen. Perhaps you should carry some if you are heading to high mountainous places. Sir Edmund Hilary attributed his success on Mt Everest to lemons. It’s useful in any situation where oxygen levels are low, relieving breathing and respiratory symptoms.

8. Brain and Nerve Health

Lemon peel has been proven to be effective for brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Rich in potassium, lemon juice stimulates brain and nerve function to improve concentration, memory and calm.

9. Dissolving Kidney Stones and Gallstones

Lemons are well known for their benefit in treating kidney stones. Citric acid in the juice of the lemon helps to dissolve gallstones, kidney stones and calcium deposits. It also helps prevent the formation of crystals.

10. Neutralise Free Radicals

Lemons are rich in flavonoids with antioxidant properties which neutralize free radicals and prevent ageing.

11. Skin Care

When lemons are mixed with honey and applied to the skin they bring a healthy glow and act as an anti-aging remedy. They can help remove wrinkles and blackheads.

12. Immune Support

Lemons are rich in immune boosting vitamin C and flavonoids. These strengthen the immune system to fight off colds and flu. Combined with honey and warm water, lemon is one of the most effective treatments for colds and coughs.

14. Anti-Inflammatory

The antioxidants in lemons are an excellent anti-inflammatory. They help reduce joint inflammation and pain by dissolving uric acid. Lemons can relieve painful joints, sciatica and lumbago.

Finally, lemons cleansing abilities can provide a wonderful way to detox.

Lemons are a brilliant blood purifier to help remove toxins from the body. This includes radiation and lemon juice drinks offer support to those undergoing chemotherapy.

The juice, roughage and skin of lemons all have benefits to your health. Make sure to include this traditional superfood in your diet for the many amazing health benefits of lemons.

Disclaimer

The Information contained on this site is for your general health information. It is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes. The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional healthcare. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

© Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health, 2016. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Catherine Bullard and Happy Holistic Health with appropriate and specific direction to the original content