“Lemon fruit with a yellow color on the skin has a lot of benefits for health, including skin health. This sour-tasting fruit contains fiber, carbohydrates, and a variety of vitamins and minerals.”
Lemon is a type of citrus fruit with a sour taste that is quite popular. This fruit is a hybrid of real citrus and lime. There are so many ways to enjoy lemons, unfortunately this fruit has a very sour taste, so it is usually not consumed directly or as a whole fruit.
Instead, this fruit is often used as a food garnish or mixed in juices to give it a sour taste. As a great source of vitamin C and fiber, lemons contain many plant compounds, minerals and essential oils.
No wonder this yellow fruit also has many potential health benefits. Consuming lemons can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and kidney stones. Not only that, this fruit is also believed to have uses for skin health and beauty.
Lemon Fruit Nutrient Content
Lemons contain very little fat and protein. They consist mainly of carbohydrates as much as 10 percent and water as much as 88-89 percent. A medium-sized lemon provides only about 20 calories. The nutrients in cup or about 100 grams of peeled raw lemon are:
- Calories: 29 calories.
- Water: 89 percent.
- Protein: 1.1 grams.
- Carbs: 9.3 grams.
- Sugar: 2.5 grams.
- Fiber: 2.8 grams.
- Fat: 0.3 grams
Meanwhile, the main content of lemons which are believed to have an important role in health are:
Carbohydrate
The carbohydrates in lemons consist mainly of fiber and simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose.
Fiber
The main fiber content in lemons is pectin. Soluble fiber such as pectin can help lower blood sugar levels by slowing the digestion of sugars and starches. Dietary fiber is an important part of a healthy diet and is associated with many health benefits.
Vitamins and Minerals
Some types of vitamins and minerals contained in lemons include:
- Vitamin C. As an essential compound and antioxidant, vitamin C is essential for immune function and skin health.
- Potassium. A diet high in potassium can help lower blood pressure levels and have a positive effect on heart health.
- Vitamin B6. This type of vitamin is involved in converting food into energy.
Other Plant Compounds
Plant compounds are naturally occurring bioactive substances found in plants, some of which have powerful health benefits. The plant compounds found in lemons and other citrus fruits have been linked to various benefits against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation.
- Citric acid. Being the most abundant organic acid in lemons, citric acid can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
- Hesperidin. These antioxidants can strengthen blood vessels and prevent atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries.
- Diosmin. An antioxidant used in some medications that affect the circulatory system, diosmin improves muscle tone and reduces chronic inflammation in blood vessels.
- Eriocitrin. These antioxidants are found in the peel and juice of lemons.
- D-limonene. Found mainly in the peel, d-limonene is the main component of lemon essential oil and the distinctive aroma of lemons. Separately, it can relieve heartburn and gastric reflux.
Well, that was the nutritional content in lemons which plays an important role in supporting the health of the body, including the skin. Stop consuming it if you experience an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the fruit, then immediately consult a doctor.