Lemons originated in the area known today as northern India. The United States initiated commercial lemon production in California in the 18th century. Today, California, Arizona and Florida are the main lemon-producing states. As an ingredient, lemon juice provides a fresh citrus flavor that softens the effect of oily fish and bitter greens. It provides several health benefits, too, based on its nutritional composition.
Vitamin C
One lemon provides 31 mg of vitamin C -- that's 50 percent of the 60 mg FDA daily value. Vitamin C is an important nutrient to consume daily, because any unused amounts are eliminated. Meeting the daily intake recommendation is required to repair skin tissue and blood-vessel walls and protect healthy cells from metabolic byproducts that alter their structure and chemical composition.
Potassium
A lemon provides 80 mg of potassium, or 2 percent of the 3,500 mg daily value. Potassium in the diet is important for balancing electrolytes in the bloodstream, regulating the heartbeat and controlling the body's water level, which influences blood-pressure balance. High blood pressure and irregular heartbeat are symptoms that indicate a possible potassium deficiency. Deficiency symptoms may instead indicate a sodium excess, because the levels of the minerals are linked.
Iron
One lemon provides .4 mg of iron, or 2 percent of the 18 mg daily value. Iron is a mineral that forms hemoglobin, a protein in the bloodstream that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells. The amount of iron women consume is historically low, particularly women whose iron stores are depleted monthly through menstruation.
Water
A lemon is 90 percent water. Many foods in the diet help meet your body's daily fluid requirement. Fruits, vegetables, breads and meats all contain varying amounts of water that rehydrate the body after exercise, exposure to warm weather and mineral imbalances cause excessive fluid elimination.
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