Bella Adams
Lemons not only help you lose weight, but are also a natural immune booster. We have all the facts about the natural fat killer for you.
Sour, bright yellow, and fruity. Thanks to the essential oils in the peel, the lemon scent quickly puts you in a good mood and makes you alert and focused. But that is by far not all that citrus fruit has to offer.
Superfood lemon
The lemon is an all-rounder in terms of health and is valued for its high vitamin C content – a whole 53 milligrams per 100 grams with a slim 35 kilocalories. Thus, it pushes the immune system and prevents infections and colds, because vitamin C protects against viruses and bacteria.
The southern fruit protects the body’s cells, helps heal wounds and lose weight, provides firm skin, reduces digestive problems – and is the optimal weapon against hangovers after a night of partying because it detoxifies the body.
It is also an all-around talent in terms of taste: The citric acid it contains peps up dishes in hot and cold cuisine. Even grated lemon peel scores points: Thanks to its essential oils, it spices up dressings, fish, or pastries.
5 facts about the lemon
- Bodyguard With 53 milligrams per fruit, a lemon provides about half of our daily requirement of vitamin C. It is an immune booster and has an antibacterial effect. This makes it an immune booster and has an antibacterial effect. Hot water with lemon is considered a proven home remedy against colds – especially in combination with ginger! The southern fruit is rich in magnesium, which also strengthens the immune system and nerves.
- Beauty elixir vitamin C stimulates the formation of collagen in the body. This keeps skin, ligaments, and tendons supple strengthens blood vessels and ensures strong teeth, bones, strong nails, and hair. Collagen supports wound healing. As a powerful antioxidant, the vitamin also fights free radicals, which protects our cells from aging and is important for connective tissue.
- Fat killer In addition, the high amount of vitamin C in lemons is important for hormone production, specifically the happiness hormone serotonin and the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which boosts metabolism and fat burning.
- Distributors Due to their high acidity, lemons help digest fatty and heavy foods more easily. The pectin from lemon peel acts as fiber and supports healthy intestinal flora.
- Detox miracle The high potassium content of the lemon positively influences the electrolyte balance of our body. Potassium has a dehydrating and diuretic effect, which flushes toxins from the body and ensures optimal functioning of nerves, heart, and muscles. Although the lemon tastes sour: The juice belongs to the alkaline foods and promotes the utilization of iron supplements – important for vegans and vegetarians.
How to lose weight with lemons
Sour makes fat away! The lemon has a record-breaking vitamin C content. With the help of this vitamin C (ascorbic acid), the body produces the hormone norepinephrine, which is important for optimal fat burning. This messenger helps to release the fat from the fat cells. This makes it easier for the organism to draw on stored fats for energy.
Vitamin C is indispensable for the production of collagen and thus also has an influence on the firmness of the tissue – thus also supporting firm contours. In addition, together with vitamins B6 and niacin, it controls the production of L-carnitine, which is needed for fat burning in the muscles. Optimal in combination with strength and endurance training!
By the way, losing weight increases the need for vitamin C, because it increases in stressful situations, and the reduction of body fat means stress for our organism. Increased urine production in the context of weight loss results in increased excretion of water-soluble substances, which also include vitamin C.
Very popular among Hollywood stars is the lemon diet with homemade lemonade, which in combination with healthy foods is supposed to melt away the pounds. But very healthy is already lemon water as a routine every morning.
Our lemon water recipe
Our tip: Drink fresh lemon water in the morning before breakfast or a homemade ginger tea with lemon. This gets the metabolism going and really boosts fat burning. For this, boil water, let it cool down a bit, and add the juice of half a squeezed lemon. Sweeten with honey or agave syrup if desired. For ginger tea, add a piece of sliced peeled ginger.
Caution: Ascorbic acid is very sensitive to light and is destroyed by heat. Tip: Add lemon to water or tea only when it has cooled down to a comfortable drinking temperature – otherwise too much vitamin C will be destroyed.
What to consider when buying lemons
- Lemons are available for purchase all year round. The main areas of cultivation in Europe are Italy and Spain. When buying, choose small and heavy fruits, as they have a lot of juice.
- Pay more attention to the gloss than to the color. This indicates the ripeness of the fruit. Thin skin and a few seeds indicate high quality.
- If you use the grated lemon peel in baking, you should buy fruit of organic quality, as conventionally grown fruit is often contaminated with pesticides. The peel consists of six percent essential oils and gives dishes a special flavor. Organic lemons should also be rinsed thoroughly before use!
- Good to know: Lemons do not like cold, therefore do not store in the refrigerator. In a cool cellar (up to 10 degrees), their acidity keeps them fresh for up to three months. But note: The longer a food is stored, processed, or cooked, the more the vitamin C content decreases.
