Nutritional and health benefits of lemon

Introduction

The lemon(citrus limon) is a specie of small evergreen tree in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, native to Asia. The trees ellipsoidal yellow fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which was both culinary and cleaning uses. The pulp and rind (zest) are also used in cooking and baking. The juice of the lemon is about 5% to 6% citric acid, which gives a sour taste. The distinctive sour taste of lemon makes it a key ingredient in drinks and foods such as lemonade and lemon meringue pie.

According to William (2012) he stated that lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 64% of the daily value in a 100g serving (table). Other essential nutrients, however, have significant content (table). Lemons contain numerous phytochemicals, including polyphenols, terpenes, and tannins. As with other citrus fruits, they have significant concentrations of citric acid (about 47g/l in juice).

Lemon contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin, potassium, zinc, iron and protein. They contain flavonoids, which are composites that contain antioxidant and cancer fighting properties. It helps to prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, fever, indigestion and many other problems as well as improving the skin, hair, and teeth (Organic Facts, 2016).

Overview and morphology of lemon

Citrus limon, (lemon) is a small tree in the Rutaceae (citrus family) that originated in Asia(likely India and Pakistan) and is now grown commercially worldwide in tropical, semi-tropical and warm temperate countries, including the Mediterranean region, for the fruit, which is used fresh and in beverages and cooking, and is also used as a preservative due to its anti-oxidant properties (Bailey, 2010).

1. limon is thought to have arisen as a hybrid between other citrus species; some studies suggest lineage including lime (C. aurantifolia or C. latifolia), pomelo(C. maxima), and citron(C. medica), while other studies suggest that it is a hybrid between sour orange(C. aurantium) and citron. It has a long history of cultivation in Southeast Asia and China, but arrived the Mediterranean during Roman times, and was brought to the new world in the 16^th century. In commercial cultivation, C. limon is often grafted onto rootstock of the hardy rough lemon, C. Jambhiri. (FOASTAT, 2012).

According to Flora (2012) The lemon tree grows to 6m (20ft) tall, and has stout spines. The leaves are dark green, leathery, and evergreen, oblong, elliptical, or oval and up to 14cm (4inch) long; in contrast to several other citrus species, the petioles(leaf stems) are not winged. Flower buds are purplish but flowers open to have 5 white petals, up to 5cm long and ripen to yellow, with smooth to bumpy rinds dotted with oil glands.

Lemon fruits can be highly acidic(although non-acid varieties are also cultivated), and are high in citric acid and vitamin C. the tart flavor is popular in beverages(lemonades and iced teas as well as many cocktails), ice creams and desserts, salad dressings and many meat and vegetable dishes. Lemons have antioxidant properties, so lemon juice is  often added to fresh fruit to prevent oxidation and browning. Lemon peel or zest (the outer peel) is used as a flavoring or candied. Lemon oil obtained from the peel is used as a wood cleaner and polish, and as non-toxic pesticide. Traditional medicinal uses for the fruit, peels, oil, and oil obtained from the seeds include treating fever and colic, and as an astringent and diuretic. (Wyk, 2013).

Health benefits of lemon

Organic Facts (2015) elaborates on the health benefits of lemon as follow:

1. Indigestion and constipation: Lemon juice helps to cure problems related to indigestion and constipation. Add a few drops of lemon on your dish(take care, it does not go well with milk), and it will aid in digestion, it acts as a blood purifier and a cleansing agent, so a good drink after lunch or dinner is fresh lemon soda, which is also called fresh lime soda in many places.
2. Fever: Lemon juice can treat a person who is suffering from a cold, flu or fever, it helps to break fevers by increasing perspiration.
3. Dental care: It is also frequently used in dental care. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the area of a toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. Massaging the juice on the gums can stop gum bleeding, while eliminating the bad orders that can come from various gum diseases and conditions. It can be used in the regular cleansing of your teeth.
4. Hair care: Lemon juice has proven itself in the treatment of hair care on a wide scale. The juice applied to the scalp can treat problems like dandruff, hair loss and other problems related to the hair and scalp. If you apply lemon juice directly on the hair, it can give your hair, it can give your hair, it can give your hair a natural shine.
5. Skin care: Lemon juice, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can also cure problems related to the skin. The juice can be applied to reduce the pain of sun burn, and it helps to ease the pain from bee stings as well. It is also good for acne and eczema. It acts as an anti aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Drinking lemon juice mixed with water and honey brings a healthy glow to the skin, and if you thoroughly search the cosmetic market, you will find some soaps containing lemon juice, but they aren’t too easy to find.
6. Burns: Using lemon juice on the site of old burns can help fade the scars, and since lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin when you currently have an irritating burn.
7. Internal bleeding: It has antiseptic and coagulant properties, so it can stop internal bleeding. You can apply lemon juice to a small cotton ball and place it inside your nose to stop nose bleeds.
8. Weight loss: If a person drinks lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can help reduce body weight.
9. Respiratory disorders: Lemon juice assist in relieving respiratory problems and breathing problems, such as its ability to soothe a person suffering from asthma attack. Being a rich source of vitamin C, it helps in dealing with more long-term respiratory disorders.
10. Cholera: Diseases like cholera and malaria can be treated with lemon juice, because it acts as a blood purifier.
11. Rheumatism: It is also a diuretic and can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins from the body.
12. Corns: Lemon juice can dissolve lumps on the skin, so it can be applied at the places where the skin has hardened up, like the soles of feet and the palms of your hands. Drinking lemon juice with water can help patients reduce gall stones for the same reasons.
13. Throat infections: Lemon is an excellent fruit that fights against problems related to throat infections, due to its well-known antibacterial properties.
14. High blood pressure: Drinking lemon juice is helpful for people suffering from heart problems, because it contains potassium. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea, because it provides a calming sensation to both the mind and body. It is commonly employed to reduce mental stress and depression.

Nutritional value of lemon

Lemon has great value to human health. It contain very little fat and protein. They consist mainly of carbohydrate and water.

A medium sized lemon only contains about 20 calories.

Table 1 below shows or contains information on all the nutrients in lemons per 100g

Table 1:    Nutrients composition of lemon per 100g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database, 2012)

Units:

(1)µg= micrograms. (2) mg= milligrams. (3) iu= international units.

(Adda, 2016).

Selection and storage of lemon

Peak season of lemons is April through August, through they can be available in the stores all around the year. Choose big, plump, firm fruits that feature heavy for their size. Choose vibrant, bright yellow fruits imparting fresh citrusy aroma can be appreciated when you gently roll your finger over them.

Avoid dark-green coloured as they are immature and would not be as much juicy. Also, avoid those with dark spots, overtly soft or spongy as they tend to perish early.

At home, store them in plastic pouch and place inside the refrigerator where they keep well for up to a week. Store freshly squeezed lemon juice inside the freezer compartment for later use. Store dried zest in cool, dry place in an air-tight glass container away from moisture. (Umesh, 2016).

Preparation and serving tips:

• Wash them in cold water just before using.
• Gently scrub if using the peel for obtaining the zest. In general, cut into halves to squeeze extract juice. One may also get the help of juice-extracting appliances.

Whole fruit, zest, peel as well as its juice are the most sought after ingredients in a variety of cuisines worldwide (Umesh, 2016).

References

Adda, B. (2016). Lemons 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits. Retrieved on the 12^th of May 2017 from https://authoritynutrit ion.com/foods/lemons/

Bailey, E. T. & Sinclair, W. B. (2010). The lemon fruit: Its composite, Physiology, and Products. Berkeley: Univ. Calif. Press. 163 pp.

Cottin, R. (2002). Citrus of the world: A citrus directory. Version 2.0. France: SRA INRA-CIRAD.

Flora, E. (2012). The little-known side effects of lemon juice. Retrieved on the   13^th of May 2017 from http://www.curejoy.com/ content/side-effects-  lemon-didnt-know/

FOASTAT.(2012). Citrus fruits. New York: The MacMillan co.  520 pp.

Gildemeister, E. & Hoffman, F. (2009). The volatile oils. Authorized Translation by Edward Kremers., New York: John Wiley & Sons.

John L. (2016). Health benefits & side effects of Lemon juice. Retrieved on the 13^th of May 2017 from         http://www.livestr ong.com/article/440686/benefits-side-effects-of-lemon-   juice/

Lizzie F. (2015). 10 Healthy Reasons to Start Squeezing Lemons. Retrieved on the 13^th of May 2017 from http://www.popsugar.com/f itness/10-Reasons-Lemon-Juice-Good-You-14860617

Umesh, W. (2016). Lemons: Health Benefits, Nutrition, Research. Retrieved on the 13^th May 2017 from     http://www.medicalnew stoday.com/articles/283476.php

William, M. (2012). 15 Hidden Health Secrets of Lemons. Retrieved on the 12^th May 2017 from http://beliefnet.com/wellness/health /physical-health/hidden-health-secrets-of-lemons.aspx

Wyk, T. (2013). Lemon. Retrieved on the 22^nd April 2017 from http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/lemon