The lemon is a round, vibrant fruit from the Rutaceae flowering plant family. Citrus limon is its scientific name, and it is native to eastern India.
Because of its high citric acid content, this bright yellow citrus fruit has a distinct sour flavor.
The vitamins, fiber, and plant compounds in lemons can provide several potential health benefits, including heart health, weight control, and digestive health.
1. Supports Heart Health
Lemons are an important source of vitamin C. One lemon provides about 31 mg of vitamin C, 51% of the daily intake reference (DIR).
According to the studies, consuming vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke (1, 2, 3).
It’s not just the vitamin C that is thought to be good for your heart, though the lemon fiber and plant compounds could also significantly reduce some risk factors for heart disease (4, 5).
For example, one study showed that eating 24 grams of citrus fiber extract per day decreased total blood cholesterol levels within a month (6).
Animal studies show that plant compounds in lemons, such as hesperidin and diosmin, can also lower cholesterol levels (7, 8, 9).
A high cholesterol level can cause atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries within the heart. Lemon contains vitamin C, which may lower the risk of heart disease.
2. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
A well-balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables can help prevent certain cancers (10).
Some observational studies have found that people who eat citrus fruit the most have a lower risk of cancer disease, while others have found no effect (11, 12, 13).
In test-tube studies, some compounds in lemons have killed cancer cells (14, 15, 16).
However, these may not have the same effect on the human body.
Some scientists believe that plant chemicals found in lemons, such as limonene and naringenin, may have antioxidant properties. However, this hypothesis requires further research (5, 17, 18, 19).
Animal studies show that there are protective properties such as those of D-limonene, a compound found in lemon oil (20, 21).
Another study used mandarin pulp that included beta-cryptoxanthin and hesperidin chemicals, both of which are found in lemons (22).
The study found that these compounds were preventing the development of malignant tumors in mice tongues, lungs, and colons.
It should be remembered, however, that the research team used a very high dose of chemicals much more than you can get from eating lemons or oranges.
Although certain plant compounds from lemons and other citrus fruits may have protective benefits, no proof of consistency shows that lemons may fight cancer in humans.
3. Protects Against Anemia
Anemia caused by iron deficiency is very common. It happens when you are not getting enough iron from the food you consume.
While lemon does not have a high iron content, it can help absorb more iron from plant-based foods.
Maintaining adequate iron levels aids in the prevention of anemia, which is characterized by a lower-than-normal red blood cell count (23, 24).
Your gut absorbs iron quickly from meat, chicken, and fish (known as “heme iron”), whereas iron from plant sources (non-heme iron) is difficult to absorb.
However, taking vitamin C and citric acid can improve this absorption.
Since lemons contain both vitamin C and citric acid, they can protect against anemia by making sure you absorb as much iron from your diet as possible.
4. Improves Digestion
Lemon contains a significant amount of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber. Soluble fiber can help people with constipation and a range of other gastrointestinal disorders.
The dominant fiber in lemon is pectin, which is a soluble fiber linked to multiple health benefits.
Soluble fiber can improve the health of the gut and slow sugar and starch digestion (25, 26, 27, 28).
These effects may lead to a reduction in sugar digestion. However, you need to eat the pulp of lemons to get the benefits of fiber.
5. Improves Weight Control
Lemons are good for weight loss, and there are several hypotheses. One popular idea is that the soluble pectin fiber in your stomach expands and makes you feel full for longer. That said, few people eat whole lemons.
However, because lemon juice doesn’t contain pectin, lemon juice drinks don’t encourage fullness.
Another theory suggests that sipping lemon in hot water will help you lose weight.
Drinking water, however, increases the number of calories you burn, so it could be the water itself that helps you lose weight and not the lemon (29, 30).
Other theories suggest plant compounds in lemons may aid in weight loss. Evidence shows that plant compounds in lemon extracts can aid in a variety of ways to avoid or reduce weight gain (31, 32).
In one study, polyphenols extracted from the peel of lemons were given to mice on a fattening diet. They gained less body fat and weight than other mice (33).
However, no studies support the effects of lemon compounds on weight loss in humans.
6. Prevents Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are little lumps that grow in your kidneys as waste materials are neutralized.
These stones are common in some people, and they get them repeatedly.
By increasing the volume of urine and increasing urine pH, citric acid can help prevent kidney stones, creating a less favorable environment for the formation of kidney stones (34, 35).
Just one half-cup (4 ounces or 125 ml) of lemon juice per day can provide sufficient citric acid to help prevent stone formation in people who already have it (36, 37).
Some studies also found lemonade was effective in preventing kidney stones, but the results were mixed (38, 39, 40, 41).
Other studies showed no effect. We need top quality studies to examine whether lemon juice affects the formation of kidney stones (42, 43, 44).
Portion Sizes and Risk
Lemon is a tasty and nutritious addition to most recipes, but it, like all fruits, contains natural sugar.
To maintain a balanced diet, limit your lemon consumption to a half cup or less of its cut and peeled form.
In addition, people with alkaline problems such as heartburn and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) disorder should not take lemon.
Lemon is highly acidic, which can make the symptoms of heartburn worse. Also, avoid lemon if you are allergic to it.
If you are allergic to certain foods or have a citrus allergy, avoid taking lemon.
Conclusion
Lemons contain a high level of vitamin C, soluble fiber, and plant compounds that give you several health benefits.
It may help with weight loss and lower your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive problems, and even cancer.
