According to medical experts, lemon peel contains more vitamin C and calcium than the flesh, and also has many aromatic essential oils that are beneficial to health. However, many people still consider this an unnecessary part and often leave it out.
Lemon peel contains small amounts of calcium, an essential element for maintaining strong bones
Lemon is a popular fruit widely grown in our country, with year-round production and affordable price. According to modern medicine research, lemons are not only a rich source of vitamin C but also contain many antioxidants belonging to the flavonoids group. These substances have the effect of detoxifying, protecting blood vessels, strengthening the immune system and slowing down the aging process.
100g of lemon pulp contains the following nutritional ingredients:
Water: 90%
Protein: 0.8g
Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 8.2g
Fiber: 0.6g
Ash: 5.4g
Calcium: 33mg
Phosphor: 15mg
Iron: 0.5mg
Sodium: 3 mg
Potassium: 137mg
Vitamin A: 12mg
Vitamin B1: 0.5mg
Vitamin B2: 0.02mg
Vitamin B3: 0.1mg
Vitamin C: 52mg
Lemon peel contains many nutritional ingredients
In addition, the outer peel and leaves of the lemon contain a large amount of essential oils with a pleasant aroma. Lemon essential oil includes compounds such as limonene, camphene, and a-terpinene.
However, for a long time, many people have had the habit of only using lemon leaves and juice, and discarding the peel. According to Herbalist Pham Cong Tuan from Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital, this usage is very wasteful. In Oriental medicine, lemon peel, leaves, and roots are used as medicine to treat conditions such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, flank pain, poor appetite, vomiting, malaria, and symptoms of eye pain and headaches.
In addition, dried lemon peels can be used as a natural medicine to repel insects and pests.
American nutritionist Katherine Brooking believes that lemon peel, which is often discarded, actually contains many significant nutritional benefits. He emphasized that the nutritional composition of lemon peel is not only equivalent to lemon juice but is even superior, including substances such as calcium, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.
Tooth decay and gingivitis are two common oral diseases, often caused by streptococcus mutans bacteria. Laboratory studies have shown that lemon peels have the ability to counteract the activity of this bacteria.
Japanese scientists say that lemon peel contains many powerful antibacterial compounds, capable of effectively fighting bacteria that cause common oral diseases.
Brooking experts say that lemon peel contains a small amount of calcium, an essential element to maintain strong bones. Calcium deficiency can affect the body’s functioning. Calcium becomes especially important as age increases. For people under 50 years old, about 1g of calcium should be supplemented per day.
Good for the immune system
Lemon peel, similar to other citrus fruits, contains vitamin C, which helps support your immune system. When you feel tired, you can sprinkle lemon peel into your food or tea to improve your health. According to Well + Good, lemon peel is also favored by many people who live the longest in the world.
Provides potassium
Similar to calcium, lemon peel contains a small amount of potassium, which is necessary for the normal functioning of cells in the body.
Good for the digestive system
Fiber in lemon peel plays an important role, helping to maintain the normal functioning of the digestive system. In addition, fiber has other key benefits such as reducing inflammation and regulating metabolism.
Fiber in lemon peel plays an important role, helping to maintain the normal functioning of the digestive system
Useful for the heart
“Lemon peel may help lower blood pressure according to some evidence,” said Brooking, citing a scientific study, which said the combination of lemon consumption and daily walking may help reduce blood pressure.
Contributes to fighting cancer
Some studies show that limonene and other flavonoids in lemon peel have the ability to prevent the formation and spread of malignant tumors, especially cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx and stomach.
The anti-inflammatory properties of lemon peel seem to be very powerful. A test-tube study has shown that D-limonene in lemon peel has the ability to 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 stomach cancer cells.
Similarly, a 52-week study in mice found that different concentrations of D-limonene were able to enhance mutant cell 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing. Furthermore, vitamin C has the ability to promote the growth of white blood cells, supporting the elimination of mutated cancer cells.