We've read it everywhere now. Our up-to-date colleague, the neighbor, the beautician, the newsagent, the local barista on the corner, have tried it. We still do not, but perhaps the time has come.
At least understand why lemon juice is much talked about lately. Let's see the properties and contraindications.
But our mothers and grandmothers already knew it: what did they give us to drink when we ate too much?
Lemon juice: the benefits
When you make fruit salad, what do you put on so that the fruit does not become dark? The lemon ! This is due to the antioxidant properties of the citric acid it contains. And, since "antioxidant" rhymes with "health" and "antiage", will this precious juice also do our body good?
Certainly, but there is much more.
As is known, lemon juice contains significant amounts of vitamin C (100 grams provide more than 100% of the daily dose), a powerful antioxidant, a valid ally of our immune defenses and iron absorption (vegans, remember!)
As if it were a magic potion, here are some of the many benefits of low-cost and readily available lemon juice (more than that!):
- Promotes digestion;
- Stimulates the function of the liver and intestines;
- Used together with baking soda, it helps whiten teeth;
- Soothes sunburn and insect bites;
- Antiseptic, works well as a first aid disinfectant;
- Soothing for the feet, if used for foot baths;
- On the skin, excellent as anti-acne, anti-eczema and against "age" stains.
According to US scientific studies, lemon is an excellent support for the elimination of kidney stones, and is also believed to have positive effects on blood pressure control and coagulation .
Water and lemon, the detox remedy that helps you lose weight
Lemon juice: contraindications
There is a sort of "lemon mythology", or false beliefs that would limit its use:
- Lemon juice irritates the stomach: no . The acid lemon juice is transformed by the gastric juices into a different compound with opposite properties, alkalizing .
- Lemon juice causes constipation: no, if taken in the morning on an empty stomach it stimulates the intestine because it reactivates the movements after a night's rest.
What are the real side effects instead? Pure lemon juice, if used too often and / or in excessive quantities, can ruin tooth enamel (affected by citric acid), and is also irritating to the oral mucosa .
In the case of ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux it would be better not to overdo or otherwise hear the doctor's opinion .
We always keep common sense as a rule: the excesses, of anything, should always be avoided. Thus, even drinking too much water and lemon can cause an increase in diuresis (too much "plin plin") and consequent risk of dehydration .
