Zesty and Nutritious

All about lemons

Lemons aren't just for summer drinks - they're a nutritional powerhouse that can take your meals to the next level. With just 100 grams, you can get half your daily vitamin C requirement, which is important for immunity, building collagen and absorbing iron from food. From lemon water to baking with zest, this fruit offers endless possibilities. Discover the health benefits of lemons and learn creative ways to add them to your diet. Keep reading!

1.     Lemon juice has long been used for digestive aid in traditional medicine. This is for good reason; lemons contain a high amount of citric acid, which stimulates stomach acid secretion, helping to digest food properly. One study published in the European Journal of Nutrition observed that lemon juice helps food pass through your body and can keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.

2.     Lemon juice and water can provide a dose of vitamin C and electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, calcium which can support the immune system and keep you hydrated, even in the scorching summer heat. Lemon juice has an acidic pH of between 2-3, while water has a neutral pH of 7! Once digested, lemon juice is broken down into alkaline byproducts.  While this makes urine more alkaline, it does not change the pH of blood. 

3.     Lemon zest is the fragrant and flavorful outer layer of the lemon peel. Using it in baking or cooking adds an extra layer of zing and aroma, taking dishes to a whole new level. Zest also  provides about 1 gram of fiber per tablespoon. Try grating some zest in your muffin recipes, adding to pasta dishes, or sprinkling over roasted vegetables.

4.     Lemon juice works wonders for creating tangy and zesty salad dressings. By mixing it with olive oil, honey, and Dijon mustard, you can make a quick and easy vinaigrette in a jar. Adding some fresh herbs to this mix can level up the flavor even more. Use this dressing over roasted veggies or a simple green salad to make a nutritious and vibrant meal.  Don’t have lemons?  Try using limes, oranges or even grapefruit instead!

5.     Last but not least, lemons bring a refreshing twist to summertime drinks – like this Berry French 75 Mocktail for example. Lemon juice is often used to balance the sweetness of most beverages.  Add lemon slices to your cocktails or mocktails for extra brightness or use lemon rind or sliced lemon for a beautiful pop of color to the drinks.

While originating from Asia, lemons are now cultivated in many warm regions throughout the world, particularly in sunny Italy and Spain. The fruit is ripe when its skin is bright yellow and  feels heavy relative to its size. Lemons will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. So next time you see lemons in the grocery store, don’t hesitate to grab a few and get creative in your cooking! 

Published July 1, 2023