The lemon tree, like other citrus trees, has its origin in Central Asia. The Arabs introduced the lemon to Europe in the 12th century. It was first refined in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is by no accident that the juiciest, most aromatic lemons are found in the Murcia region in Spain.
After being customary in Southern Europe, it was introduced to the Americans by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Today it is cultivated in moderate regions on the five continents. Although the lemon does not prosper in extreme cold or heat, it needs several cold nights while the fruit is ripening to change its colors from green to yellow. It is because of this that lemons in tropical regions tend to be green, as also happens with oranges and other citrus.
However, the most fascinating workings of lemons are its phytochemicals. These are substances that lack any calories, and they are neither vitamins nor minerals. The recent discovery of these substances in foods and their remarkable preventative effects on cancer and other diseases is one of the greatest advances of nutrition science.
Although the lemon affects the entire body, its scientific applications derive chiefly from its effect on the blood:
Anti-anemic: It improves iron absorption
Improves blood fluidity, thus preventing thrombosis
Depurant, facilitating the removal of toxins from the blood
For these reasons, lemons are expressly suggested in the following cases:
Anemia: Lemons should shape a customary part of the diet of anyone suffering from anemia. The lemon also contains a certain amount of folic acid, which aids blood production, as well as many other protective functions, particularly in pregnant women.
Circulatory disorders: Lemons strengthen the circulatory walls, improve the elasticity of arteries and reduce the blood's tendency to excessive clotting.
Excess uric acid: The lemon is highly effective in eliminating uric acid, which is a waste product generated within the body and must be eliminated in the urine. Excess uric acid is a major cause of Gout.
Kidney stones: A lemon treatment is very effective in helping dissolve kidney stones.
Infections: Because of their vitamin C and phytochemical content, lemons improve the body's immune system's ability to resist infections. Lemons are good for all types of infections whether viral or bacterial.
Digestive disorders: Lemon juice diluted with water is an excellent beverage in cases of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, or colitis.
Regular lemon use with meals can also contribute to neutralizing many of the carcinogens found in foods and the environment, and in this way, help prevent cancer.
Jason Hunter is a natural health advocate. He is owner of a natural health web site called Home Health and Natural Remedies. To find out more about fruits and vegetables that contain the most phytochemicals and antioxidants, visit: The Encyclopedia Of Medicinal Plants
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/508743
Many citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, have been popular fat burning food sources for many years. Lemon, like its citrus family members, is another powerful food that can boost dieters' weight loss results.
Fat Burning Powers of Lemon
Like many fat burning citrus fruits, lemon may boost the body's ability to burn fat due to its impact on the body's metabolism. According to various studies and reports, lemon helps subtly stimulate the body's thermogenic process, enabling the body to burn stored fat and calories more efficiently, leading to more effective weight loss.
But in addition to this potential impact, consuming lemon also changes the body's pH level. According to some diet theories and programs, the body's pH level, when balanced, can lead to increased weight loss benefits.
Lemon and Weight Loss Studies
To investigate the fat burning powers of lemon, a clinical study analyzed the effect of lemon on the body when consumed. According to the reports, the study was a short-term and non-placebo based trial where consumers ingested pure lemon juice as part of their daily diet plan. By adding this pure lemon juice food source, dieters reportedly experienced reduced sugar cravings, enabling consumers to balance their blood sugar levels, maintain energy, and avoid negative food cravings and habits of overeating. By reducing these cravings and negative inclinations, dieters were able to more comfortably inhibit their caloric intake, which prompts the body to burn off stored fat in order to receive energy.
In addition to the decrease in sweet cravings, participants in the study also experienced minor diuretic effects from consuming pure lemon juice. This diuretic impact helped dieters lose some water weight, which allowed dieters to experience a more slim appearance (although water weight is not the same as fat loss). Ultimately, lemon also provided each dieter with an incredible amount of added antioxidants, as pure lemon juice helps the body to detoxify and purify organs and tissues.
Additional Benefits of Lemon
Not only does lemon boost the body's ability to burn fat, but this sour fruit also provides consumers with a myriad of health and wellness perks, some of which include:
- Lemon can function as an antiseptic.
- Lemon enhances the body's digestive properties, and can also serve to reduce symptoms and signs of heartburn, bloating, and various other digestive issues.
- Lemon cleanses and stimulates the body's organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
- Lemon contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- When added to hot water, lemon can relieve symptoms of the common cold and/or flu, while also boosting the body's immunity powers with a dose of vitamin C.
- Lemon juice can function and serve as a skin cleanser.
Adding Lemon to Your Diet
To boost your body's fat burning [http://www.bestfatburningfood.com] powers, try adding lemon to commonly consumed meals and food items, such as:
- Add lemon to water, tea, or other beverages. Specifically, drinking lemon in iced or chilled water will boost your body's thermogenic response, as your body will be forced to increase its temperature in order to heat the ingested water. This temperature boost requires calories; therefore, consuming cold lemon water allows your body to burn off more calories than un-chilled lemon water.
- Add lemon to plain yogurt or cottage cheese.
- Squeeze lemon on salads in place of dressing. Not only will you receive the many nutritional benefits of the lemon, but you'll also have a flavorful replacement for the fattening and high-calorie salad dressing alternatives.
John Hartie is a recognised authority on fat burning foods ,his website,[http://www.bestfatburningfood.com] provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on everything you will need to know about fat burning foods.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1863316
