Lemons, a small fruit in the citrus family, contain many nutrients. If you live in a temperate or tropical climate, you may be able to grow your own. Otherwise, shop for plump lemons with no dark spots. Store them in the refrigerator, or freeze the freshly squeezed juice for later consumption of the lemon's many nutrients.
History
The lemon's history is directly tied in with nutrition. Arab traders introduced the lemon to Europeans in the 12th century. The citrus fruit quickly caught on as a staple of long sea voyages. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, a bane of sailors, who lost many a tooth to the disease. Christopher Columbus brought the lemon to the New World in 1493 when he arrived in Haiti. Lemons soon after were considered so vital that an English ordinance required all trade vessels and warships to carry a supply, according to The Worldwide Gourmet.
Nutrients
Lemons are lower in calories than some other citrus fruits, containing only 29 calories per 100 g, and are free of fat and cholesterol. They contain 7.36 percent of the recommended daily allowance of dietary fiber, and 88 percent of your vitamin C. Citric acid, which gives lemons their sour taste, acts as a natural preservative, assists digestion and can even dissolve kidney stones, according to the Nutrition and You website. Lemon juice also contains B-complex vitamins and important minerals such as copper, calcium, iron and potassium.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are important for their antioxidant properties. Citrus fruits, including lemons, contain hesperin and naringenin, anti-inflammatory flavonoids that help boost the immune system. Naringenin protects in-vitro cells from oxidant injury to the DNA, according to the Nutrition and You website.
Integrating Lemon Juice Into Your Diet
It's easy to add nutritious lemon juice to your diet. Squeeze some into salad dressings or iced tea. Mix it into plain or sparkling water as a no-calorie substitute for soda. You can add lemon juice to marinades or pastry dough. You can also try lemon pickles, which Middle Easterners eat, according to FitDay.com.
Weight Loss Myths
As nutritious as lemons are, they solve all health problems. Weight loss myths claim that lemon juice can dissolve fat -- both the fat in food and the fat that's already on the hips. This is wishful thinking, according to Fit Day. Nor are lemons an aphrodisiac, as Casanova believed, the Worldwide Gourmet says.
Warnings
The acidity of lemons has a few drawbacks. It can be painful for those who have mouth and stomach ulcers. Lemon juice can also erode tooth enamel and irritate the gums. Drinking acidic drinks through a straw lessens contact with the teeth. Drinking lots of water will also dilute the acid. After drinking lemon juice, it's best to wait an hour before brushing your teeth, according to the 1-800-Dentist website. Instead, rinse your mouth with water or consume a dairy product to neutralize the acid.
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