Whether it’s sliced, squeezed, or zested, this citrus fruit is sure to make any dish pop with its bright, cheery color and an impressive roster of nutrients. Get ready to meet your new main squeeze. Beyond their mood-boosting yellow hue and sour flavor, lemons are teeming with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and more. They can also be used in myriad delicious ways — not just as a seasoning or garnish.
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00 My name is Kayla Jeter, and if there's one thing I've learned from being a fitness coach,
00:04 it's that everyone's wellness process and goals are different.
00:07 So no matter where you are in your fitness journey, we wanted to provide you with some
00:11 info that can help you along the way.
00:16 The tart citrus lemon may have been the basis for your lemonade stands as a child, but lemons
00:21 have tons of health benefits that will have you reaching for the fruit daily.
00:25 So here to share more about the health benefits of lemons is registered dietitian, Bridget
00:30 Zeitlin.
00:31 Thanks, Kayla.
00:32 To start, lemons are hugely beneficial for our health.
00:35 As a citrus fruit, lemons contain vitamin C, which helps to strengthen our immune system.
00:40 So the next time you feel a cold coming on, try making some hot water with fresh lemon
00:45 to ease those symptoms.
00:47 Vitamin C is what our bodies use to produce collagen as well, which is what our bodies
00:51 use to keep our skin looking fresh, healthy, and plump.
00:56 A super important component of vitamin C is that it also helps our bodies absorb and utilize
01:02 iron more efficiently.
01:04 So adding vitamin C-rich foods like lemons to iron-rich foods helps your body take in
01:10 more iron, which is especially crucial for women who are notoriously low in iron.
01:16 And we need extra amounts when we're pregnant.
01:19 Iron-rich foods include meat, poultry, dark leafy greens, and lentils.
01:24 This iron vitamin C-1-2 punch is a great way to combat iron deficiency and anemia.
01:31 Add lemon juice to your sauces, your stews, your salad dressings, your stir fries, and
01:37 add slices of lemon on top of your poultry or your meat when you cook.
01:41 To benefit from the digestive benefits of lemon, add lemon slices to your smoothies
01:47 so that you can get some of the lemon pulp into your day.
01:50 Lemon pulp feeds that good bacteria in our gut, helping to promote good digestion and
01:57 reduce constipation.
01:58 Finally, that lemon pulp also works to regulate and lower your blood pressure.
02:03 Translation, you'll boost your heart health by reducing your risk of high blood pressure.
02:08 The more you know!
02:09 Some of my favorite ways to enjoy lemons are in homemade salad dressings, lemon tarts,
02:14 or squeeze into a hot mug of water.
02:17 But after hearing about all these health benefits, I'm just tempted to eat the whole lemon at
02:22 this point.
02:23 Well, while lemons are generally deemed safe, and you could theoretically eat a whole lemon
02:29 if you wanted, it is important to be mindful that lemons are acidic and can trigger acid
02:34 reflux.
02:35 Also, this fruit contains tyramine, which is a natural compound that may trigger headaches
02:41 in people who are prone to migraines.
02:44 So if you are prone to migraines and headaches, you may want to get your vitamin C from dark
02:49 leafy greens instead.
02:51 Always always always consult with your doctor or dietitian to see what a good plan for you
02:55 is.
02:56 Want some more tips?
02:57 Head on over to Shape.com and learn more about Good Eats and more.
03:01 See you next time!
03:02 [music]