The lemon it is an evergreen plant belonging to the Rutaceae family. Born between Indochina and India, it was imported into Italy by the Arabs, precisely into Sicily which is today considered the most flourishing lemon-growing region in all of Europe. Other no less important producers are Calabria, Puglia and Campania. Thanks to its warm and not very windy climate, the south of the Bel Paese holds the record for variety of lemons. Among these stand out the Costa d’Amalfi IGP, the Interdonato Messina IGP, the Sorrento IGP, the Etna IGP, the Rocca Imperiale IGP, the Femminello Siracusano and the Gargano IGP. Lemon has innumerable and unexpected properties property. Let’s discover them together.
Lemon, a citrus fruit loved by Italians
According to research conducted by AstraRicerche For Polenghi Food, lemon juice represents the key to a good mood for over 1 in 2 Italians. Its scent makes you happy because it gives lightness and freshness (36.3%), relieves stress (33.1%) and makes the mind travel, bringing it back to summer (52.8%). The confirmation of these virtues also comes from one study Published on Nutrients.
But that is not all. Lemon is loved for its versatility in Kitchen by 97.8% of Italians. Furthermore, 70% of them elect it as the undisputed symbol of the country. The juice of this citrus fruit, in fact, is a powerful preservative, fortifying and thickening. Its natural acidity allows it to slow down the natural process of maturation of the products. Don’t forget, then, that it is excellent for obtaining a compact jam and for strengthening certain foods such as egg shells, which are often subject to breaking during cooking.
The properties of lemon
Lemon is a real health ally. Just think that 100 grams of juice contain a quantity of C vitamin equal to 63% of the recommended daily requirement. But in addition to ascorbic acid, they are also present in it mineral salts (potassium, sodium, iron, calcium, phosphorus); Vitamins (B1, B3, B5, B6, A, E); Carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin).
The benefits of lemon
Second Luca Piretta, nutritionist and gastroenterologist at the Campus Biomedico University of Rome, the benefits of lemon derive from the active ingredients it contains. The best known of these is the aforementioned vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is used for collagen synthesis, a substance responsible for making up a large part of the connective tissue of skin and organs. Collagen, for example, protects against the consequences of vasodilation of the sun and the heat on the veins of my legs.
Vitamin C is also powerful antioxidant and works by cushioning the negative effects of free radicalsprevents the appearance of some tumor formsexercises intense anti-aging action and supports the immune system. But that is not all. Another peculiarity of ascorbic acid is that it promotes theiron absorption. Therefore the citrus juice can be squeezed onto meat and fish.
Piretta continues: «The presence of citric acid in lemon helps to counteract the advent of kidney stones since, by alkalinizing the urine, it prevents the crystallization of oxalates, the salts that prevent the absorption of numerous mineral salts. Furthermore, lemon contains a large quantity of others bioactive moleculessuch as polyphenols, flavonoids, aromatic oils and volatile compounds that have been shown to play antioxidant actions and significant protective measures.”
We must not neglect other important mineral salts: potassium (essential for the transmission of… nerve impulsesfor maintaining acid-base balance, for muscular and cardiac contraction), calcium and phosphorus (necessary to support bone metabolism and to allow the transport of energy and the transmission of cellular information. Finally, the polyphenols and flavonoids positively modify the composition of the intestinal microbiota and improve the lipid profiles And glycemic of the organism.
Lemon, a versatile ingredient
Lemon is a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Juice, for example, can be used for season salads, not to do blacken fruit and to improve the storage long-term benefits of home-made jams. Furthermore, the grated peel flavours sweets and creams. However, the beneficial effects of the citrus fruit that we talked about in the previous paragraph are amplified when it is used in herbal teas, such as:
Lemon and hot water
Taking hot water and lemon in the morning on an empty stomach means filling up on vitamin C and antioxidants. This simple drink improves digestion, cleanses the liver And promotes intestinal regularity. But that is not all. The skin also benefits thanks to the increased synthesis of collagen and the immune system which, by strengthening, better carries out its task of defending the body.
Lemon and ginger
With an intense and thirst-quenching taste, the lemon and ginger herbal tea, especially if drunk regularly, is a source of countless virtues. Just think, for example, that: slows down agingstimulates digestion, improves metabolismkeeps blood sugar under control, promotes circulation, counteracts the deleterious action of the so-called bad cholesterol. It also fights meteorism which often causes a swollen belly and preserves the health of the immune system.
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