Lemon Peel: The Cheapest Investment In Your Health? (2024)

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Functional Food

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medically reviewed

Author:

Medical reviewer:

March 27, 2020

By Jessica Cooper

mbg Contributor

Jessica Cooper is a Boston-based yoga teacher. She was trained and certified by the Yandara Institute (Yoga Alliance Certified) in 2012 and has been teaching Vinyasa classes ever since.

Medical review by

Wendie Trubow, M.D., MBA

Functional Medicine Gynecologist

Wendie Trubow is a functional medicine gynecologist with almost 10 years of training in the field. She received her M.D. from Tufts University.

March 27, 2020

Lemons have many widely known uses: They can add a refreshing zest to your water, help clean household items, and add flavor to numerous dishes. Many people only consider using its juice and pulp. But here’s the thing: If you’re only using the juice and discarding the peel, you may be missing out.

Lemons are blessed with many natural health benefits, and no part of them should go to waste. Here are the major advantages of using the whole lemon (especially the peel!).

1.

It gives you more vitamins.

Lemon peels contain as much as five to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice itself1. To name a few: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, beta carotene, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

2.

It can support your body’s detoxification process.

Lemon peels are great for helping your organs eliminate waste from the body, especially carcinogenic elements. Lemon peels also consist of components known as salvestrol Q40 and limonene, which are known to have antioxidant properties2. Also, the flavonoids present in the peel are known to be effective when it comes to curbing the division of cancerous cells3. A rat study also revealed that consumption of hot tea with lemon peel can be beneficial in preventing the development of cancer cells (although, much more research is needed before the same could be said for humans).

3.

It can improve bone health.

Lemon peels have lots of calcium and Vitamin C, which are bone-healthy nutrients. Studies have shown that consuming lemon peels can also help prevent osteoporosis4, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory polyarthritis5, and other bone conditions.

4.

It can decrease cholesterol levels.

Digesting lemon peels can help lower the LDL cholesterol6, or the bad cholesterol, through its polyphenol flavonoids. The vitamins in lemon peels can also help in preventing or minimizing the risks of conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease7.

That’s what we’ve been wasting!

How to use more lemon peels in your diet.

Freeze whole, washed, organic lemons and keep them in your freezer. Then grate the sprinkles of lemon peel over your meals, in your drinks, and on your soups for a fresh flavor and a bit of the lengthy list of benefits above.

Enjoy your lemon peels!

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Lemon Peel: The Cheapest Investment In Your Health? (2024)

FAQs

Does lemon peel have any health benefits? ›

Lemon peels are a great source of antioxidants including vitamin C and D-limonene, which help your body fight free radicals and cellular damage. Regular consumption of antioxidants such as D-limonene has been linked in studies to a decreased risk of type II diabetes and heart disease.

What happens when you drink lemon water for 7 days? ›

Regular consumption of lemon water may help strengthen bones, promote oral health, and prevent anemia and kidney stones due to its citrate content. Lemon juice contains various antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that boost brain and heart health.

Is lemon peel good for kidneys? ›

Lemon peel extract was found to be effective in preventing the crystal deposition and renal damage.

Does lemon peel have more vitamin C than lemon juice? ›

Interestingly, you'll get more vitamin C from lemon peel – 129mg per 100g of peel – than from eating a whole peeled lemon, which contains “just” 53mg of vitamin C in the same serving size.

What are the side effects of lemon peels? ›

Healthline reports that lemon rind isn't just safe to eat — like many citrus fruits, it's healthy, too. Lemon rinds contain a high concentration of vitamin C and other important nutrients.

Is it safe to eat raw lemon peel? ›

Like all fruits, lemons should be properly washed before eating. But after a thorough rinse to remove such particles as dirt, bacteria, and pesticides, it is perfectly safe to eat lemon peels, according to the Center for Food Safety. Eating this part of the lemon helps cut down on food waste, too.

Who should not drink lemon water? ›

If you have a history of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you should be cautious when consuming lemon water. Dehydration: While lemon water can help hydrate your body, drinking too much of it can have the opposite effect.

What's the best thing to drink first thing in the morning? ›

Water. You just can't beat a fresh glass of pure water first thing in the morning to quench your thirst and immediately rehydrate you. It really is one of the best morning drinks you could have. Our bodies are mostly made up of water so when we lose some, it's common sense that we should replace like for like.

Is too much lemon juice bad for your kidneys? ›

Excessive lemon juice intake may pose a risk for kidney stones due to its citric acid content. However, lemon juice is generally safe in moderation and can have a mild diuretic effect that can actually help improve kidney function. If you're concerned about your kidney health, speak with a health care professional.

What vitamins are in lemon peels? ›

Lemon peel packs a high amount of fiber and vitamin C, providing 9% of the DV in only 1 tablespoon (6 grams) ( 3 ). Additionally, it boasts small amounts of calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Is lemon peel good for your liver? ›

Lemon juice could prevent and treat liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption, according to a recent Chinese study. Lemon juice and the peel of a lemon are generally considered safe for consumption and are not known to be dangerous to the health or the liver.

How do you eat lemon peels? ›

Lemon peels can be grated and added to dishes such as salads, marinades, and baked goods for a burst of citrus flavor. They can also be used to infuse flavor into water, teas, or co*cktails.

What is the healthiest part of a lemon? ›

Lemon peel contains a list of vitamin, mineral and fibre like calcium, potassium and Vitamin C, which gives your body a nutritional boost.

Is lemon peel good for BP? ›

"There is some evidence that lemon peels may help to lower blood pressure," Brooking says, citing a scientific study that found that a combination of consuming lemon and walking every day lowered blood pressure. "The water extract of lemon peels had a suppressive effect on blood pressure," the study reads, in part.

Is lemon peel good for your hair? ›

Lemon peel powders are a good source of vitamin C, which accelerates the synthesis of collagen and speeds up the growth of your hair. The acidity in lemon aids in tightening hair shafts, which reduces hair loss. Additionally, it also helps in scalp cleaning and hair root unclogging.

Is it good to drink boiled lemon peel? ›

Boiling lemons with the skin on them can help to extract the nutrients and antioxidants from the lemon peel. This can be beneficial for health, as the lemon peel contains a number of compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Can you boil lemon peels and drink it? ›

Some people even claim that it can boost weight loss, clear up your skin, and enhance immunity. The beverage is made by boiling lemons or lemon peels in water. In some cases, people add other ingredients, such as ginger, honey, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper.

Is it okay to rub lemon peel on your face? ›

Lemon peels help in preventing and fighting skin problems such as wrinkles, acne, pigmentation and dark spots. The free radicals play a very important role in this process. These are also rich in antioxidants which tend to detoxify the skin to a very great extent.

Does lemon peel reduce belly fat? ›

Lemon peels are known to promote weight loss and may slow down fat accumulation. This is because they contain pectin fibre, which may help in weight loss by making you feel full for longer. However, lemon juice does not contain any pectin and you will have to rely on the peels to get the same.

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