One of our favorite fruits to include at almost any meal and any time of day is the lemon!  Cultivation and popularity of lemons spread across the globe in the 15th Century and this vibrant, flavorful fruit is still one of the world’s most widely consumed [1].

The health benefits of lemons are vast, and the primary reason for that is its rich amount of Vitamin C.  Lemons are also a good source for other supplements such as riboflavin, magnesium, fiber and potassium [1].

So why are those things so good for you?  Health benefits of lemons include [1,2]:

• Improved digestive health
• Maintaining the Ph balance in the body
• Supporting heart health
• Improving skin issues
• Fighting off against viruses, such as the common cold

Lemons are also low in calories and sugar, which make them a great addition to most recipes without negatively impacting the nutritional makeup.

As an In Demand Woman, it is extremely important to maintain good health so that you can do all the things you want and need to do.  When you are feeling your best, you are able to bring your “A Game”, and leveraging the power of lemons might be one way to kick that up a notch!

Some of our favorite uses for lemons:

• Drink warm water with fresh squeezed lemon each morning on an empty stomach [2,3]. Add a pinch of salt to increase your electrolytes and it’s a win-win!
• Squeeze lemon into your favorite Green Juice or Orange Juice
• Use lemon juice in your marinade for chicken, fish or pork
• Squeeze lemon juice over berries
• Make lemonade and set up a lemonade stand with your kids!
• Boil lemon (including the rind!) with ginger root, turmeric root, black pepper and honey for a soothing tea that is great for digestive health
• Make a lemon dessert such as lemon bars or lemon bread
• Lemon Cocktails and Mocktails (think Lemon Drops, Spritzers and Mules!)

Need some LEMON-SPIRATION??? Check out our Pinterest board filled with great ideas!

One caution with lemons…due to their acidic nature they can break down the enamel on your teeth.  An easy remedy for this is to dilute lemon juice in water and always rinse your mouth after drinking lemon juice [3]!

 What is your favorite way to incorporate lemons into your diet?

References:

1. https://foodfacts.mercola.com/lemon.html

2. https://www.edisoninst.com/15-benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water-in-morning-empty-stomach/

3. https://www.foodmatters.com/article/cheers-to-drinking-warm-lemon-water