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In everyday life, squeezing juice from a lemon for culinary or household purposes, the peel is rarely used. However, it is it that contains the greatest concentration of nutrients and vitamins. In some cases, it can be the cause of troubles for human health, therefore it is important to know what the benefits and harms of lemon peel are.
What is lemon zest
Only the colored top layer of the fruit skin is called zest. It is usually used as a natural flavoring or flavoring agent in the preparation of food and drinks. Due to the high content of essential oils, it gives them a unique aroma. However, few people know that the zest is very useful for the health of the body, moreover, it can be used in everyday life.
Why lemon peel is good for you
The use of lemon peel is explained by the presence in it of a large amount of antioxidants, vitamins, oils, trace elements and minerals necessary for the body. The composition includes vitamins such as A, B, C, PP, as well as folic and pectic acids. The presence of essential oils, phytoncides and coumarins makes lemon peel a natural antibiotic, therefore it is indispensable for the treatment and prevention of colds.
The benefits of lemon zest are:
- in the prevention of thrombosis, varicose veins;
- increasing the elasticity of blood vessels, improving blood flow;
- stimulating the functioning of the immune system;
- removing harmful deposits from the body, cleansing the liver;
- beneficial effect on the nervous system.
Moreover, the combination of the zest with foods such as honey, chocolate or spices (ginger, cinnamon) turns it into an aphrodisiac that increases sex drive.
When used correctly in food, the properties of the zest have a positive effect on the functioning of all organs of the body. Therefore, even doctors recognize the undeniable benefits of lemon peel and do not consider this product harmful.
Heart health
The cores need to introduce dishes into their diet, the content of lemon peel. After all, the polyphenols and potassium that are part of it strengthen the heart muscle, support its smooth operation. The flavonoids contained in the zest reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.
Improving the digestive tract
Lemon peel is very beneficial for the digestive tract and digestion in general due to its fiber content. Its healing properties stimulate intestinal motility, relieve flatulence, relieve spasms and colic. The antibacterial substances contained in lemon peel are able to fight the pathogenic intestinal microflora.
Strengthening immunity
Contrary to popular belief about the benefits of lemon juice for colds, it is in the zest that the main source of vitamin C is concentrated. Therefore, to strengthen immunity and prevent ARVI in the autumn-winter period, it should be added to drinks and dishes.
Oncology prevention
The content of substances such as salvestrol Q40 and limonene explain the benefits of lemon peel for the human body: they successfully fight cancer cells.Therefore, their regular use is an excellent prevention of oncological diseases.
Youthful skin
In cosmetology, lemon is famous for its anti-aging effect on the skin. Lemon zest mixed with olive oil is used as a face and body scrub. Trace elements and vitamins penetrate deeply into the skin, nourishing and toning them up. Riboflavin stimulates metabolic processes and subcutaneous circulation, helping to oxygenate the skin.
Strengthening bones
With regular consumption of lemon peel for food, its beneficial properties have a beneficial effect on the condition of bones and joints. The high content of vitamin C in combination with vitamin A reduces the risk of arthritis and prevents premature joint wear. Trace minerals such as calcium, iron and potassium strengthen the structure of the bones, making them stronger.
Oral hygiene
Lemon peel is a good oral care product because it contains citric acid, which helps to replenish the lack of vitamin C in the body. It helps to get rid of such ailments as scurvy, gingivitis, bleeding gums. In addition, lemon's antibacterial properties kill bacteria in the mouth, which reduces the risk of tooth decay and periodontitis.
Helps to lose weight
Pectincontained in the zest, helps to lose weight, as it slows down the absorption of carbohydrates and absorbs fats in the small intestine. Pectin also accelerates metabolism, normalizes peripheral circulation and speeds up metabolism. Its enveloping ability improves intestinal motility, and its astringent properties have a healing effect on the mucous membrane.
In order for the lemon peel to be beneficial and not harm the health of a losing weight person, it must be eaten without pulp containing concentrated citric acid... Firstly, it destroys tooth enamel, and secondly, with excessive diligence, it can cause gastritis.
Diabetes Benefits
Since diabetes mellitus disrupts metabolic processes in the body, the problem of excess weight often arises. Lemon peel helps to cope with this nuisance, simultaneously saturating the body with vitamins that diabetics, due to the forced rejection of many fruits containing sugar, have nowhere else to take.
How to get the zest
Before removing the zest from the lemon, it must be prepared - washed under running water, scalded and dried thoroughly. Pouring boiling water over the lemon is necessary in order to wash off the thin layer of wax, which is often used to cover fruits for their greater preservation. Then the lemon peel will be beneficial and not harmful even when added to food for children.
After all the procedures, the colored part of the skin is scraped off from pure lemon with a special kitchen tool. This can be done with a very sharp knife, cutting off thin strips, or simply rubbing the lemon on a fine grater. In order to make this easier to do, it is recommended to place the fruit in the freezer for a few minutes.
It is important to remove only the yellow layer of the skin, because the white loose layer that follows is bitter, which can spoil the taste of the dish or drink. In addition, all the beneficial properties of lemon peel are contained in the colored layer of the peel.
How to consume zest
Properly prepared lemon zest can be dried and stored in a tight-fitting container or to freezeso that, if necessary, there is always a fresh flavoring and aromatic additive at hand.
You can use the zest either on its own, sprinkled with sugar, or as a food additive for salads, vegetable or meat dishes, as well as for confectionery purposes.
In addition, this healing and useful product is applied externally. On the basis of the zest at home, you can make creams, masks and tinctures for the treatment of various skin diseases, such as acne or dermatitis. Tinctures rinse the throat, mouth, or make compresses on sore joints.
The use of lemon peel in everyday life
The beneficial properties of lemon peel have long been used in everyday life by experienced housewives. With its help, you can solve such everyday issues:
- removing stains and dirt from carpets and upholstery... For this, a lemon remedy is made, which effectively fights household stains, based on table vinegar and peels. For this, the crushed peel is poured with vinegar so that it is completely covered and insisted for two weeks. Then it is filtered, diluted with water in proportions 1: 1. Such a product has a pleasant smell and disinfectant properties;
- insect control in a house or apartment... To do this, simply spread the lemon peels in the corners and along the baseboards and renew them regularly. The essential oils contained in them will scare off cockroaches, ants and bugs;
- cleaning metal surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom... To get rid of mineral deposits, the surface of taps and metal sinks is polished with lemon peel to remove limescale.
To humidify and refresh the air in an apartment with a sick person, lemon peels are thrown into boiling water and boiled for a while under an open lid over low heat. This will saturate the air with a pleasant aroma, and the essential oils inhaled by the patient will alleviate his condition and speed up recovery.
Harm of lemon peel and contraindications
Lemon zest can be not only useful, but also harmful to the body: it all depends on the individual intolerance of the substances that make up it, and on improper use. The consumption of zest can cause allergic reactions, manifested by redness and rashes on the skin, mainly from oversaturation of the body with vitamin C.
People suffering from peptic ulcer disease should refuse such a dietary supplement, as it can provoke an exacerbation of the disease. People with high acidity should use lemon zest in moderation and with caution: the components that make up it can cause heartburn.
In most cases, the benefits of lemon peel for the human body are undeniable, and with some, isolated exceptions, the zest does no harm.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of lemon peel depend on whether it was received correctly, in what conditions it was stored and whether it was correctly used. If done correctly, you can eat it every day, saturating the body with useful substances and helping it to overcome chronic diseases.
