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The health benefits of lemons and lemon juice are pretty well known. But if you’re like the majority of people, you are probably squeezing out the lemon juice and tossing the left over lemon peel in the trash! I used to do that too!
But wait, wait, wait, that lemon peel contains even more nutrients, vitamins, and health benefits than the lemon juice.
Nutrients and Health Benefits in Lemon Peels
Lemon peels contain about 5 to 10 times more vitamins than lemon juice! Yep, that’s what you’ve been wasting!
They are also an excellent source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, and beta carotene. Lemon peels improve bone health too! Since they contain high amounts of calcium and vitamin C, lemon peels have been shown to aid preventing osteoporosis, inflammatory polyarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Don’t forget all the fiber you will get from lemon peels! 3.5 oz of lemon peels contains 10.6 grams of fiber.
Reduce Oxidative Stress
We all want to reduce our levels of oxidative stress. Lemon peels contain citrus bioflavonoids which are very powerful at reducing your levels of oxidative stress . This portion of the lemon also aid in eradicating toxic elements in the body and removing carcinogenic elements.
Help Fight Cancer
Lemons have been used to prevent and treat cancer. Lemons are anti-microbrial and ward off against bacterial infections and fungi.
When lemon peels are consumed, they have been shown to prevent various types of cancers, including skin cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
A study found that the consumption of lemon peels in tea was beneficial in preventing the development of cancer cells.
Lemons are also very alkalizing! Cancer thrives in an acidic body, by making your body alkaline this will prevent cancer. Take advantage of the whole lemon and don’t just juice and toss!
Lemon peels contain salvestrol Q40 and limonene, which have been shown to prevent and treat cancer. These components fight against present cancerous cells in the body.
How to Eat a Lemon Peel
There are a couple different ways you can prepare your lemon peels.
- Place your lemons in the freezer for a couple of hours. Then take them out and grate them. You can sprinkle the grated lemon peel on your meals or in your drinks.
- Grate the outside of your lemon (without freezing). Sprinkle the lemon peel pieces on your meals or in your drinks.
- Or you could just bite right into one.
Grated lemon peels make a great addition to salads and teas! They add amazing flavor to any meal!
Do you usually throw out the lemon peel?
Sources: http://www.naturalnews.com/033649_citrus_bioflavonoids_oxidative_stress.html
Best lemonade I have ever tried is simply whole lemons (but with the zest removed) combined with water and some sweetener, and then blended for no more than 10 sec to prevent a bitter taste forming. Delishimo! Although instead of white sugar, I think I would use stevia honey or coconut sugar.
I make up what I call my Healthy Concoction to drink when sick. In a blender I add the following ingredients:
1 Whole lemon chopped, 1 orange, peeled and chopped, 2-4 garlic cloves, 1″-2″ ginger chopped, organic turmeric and cinnamon, black pepper, Olive Leaf Extract, Vitamin C powder, 2 tablespoons raw honey, 50ml brandy (could leave this out) and enough water to blend. In my Nutribullet 900 I blend for 3 lots of 60 seconds with a 1-2 minute wait inbetween. To serve, pour half a glass, add some cold water, and top up with hot water. A nice warm soothing drink. Any comments on what I could add or leave out? The black pepper and hot water enhance the benefits of turmeric.
Wow, that sounds fantastic! I would make without Brandy though.
I was wondering if there are ways we could use the lemon peel for skin? I have dark scars I would like to get rid of, how long would it take to lighten up?
Absolutely! It’s supposed to help fade dark marks.
Great tips on your blog! I love the benefits of lemon but want to issue a warning about “biting into one” on a regular basis. A friend of mine grew up eating lemons fresh off the family’s trees in Florida. Unfortunately, this ate through the enamel on her teeth and she had so many problems as she grew older. If you do eat citrus, or drink lemon juice, you should rinse your mouth with water afterwards, and wait 30 minutes before brushing teeth. Don’t brush right afterwards, as the enamel will have been softened by the lemon.
Thanks Anne! Great tip not to brush right afterwards.
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Since lemons can have a caustic effect on the outer layer of the tooth enamel, I always brush my teeth immediately after eating or drinking organic lemons (I pulverize one thoroughly washed, cut-up organic lemon every morning, in my Vitamix blender with purified water to drink). So in order to remove the caustic effect of lemon juice on teeth enamel (even though lemon juice is alkalinizing in the body, it can still make my teeth hurt), so I wet my toothbrush in a little purified water, then dip my brush in straight baking soda and brush my teeth to remove the strong lemon and this takes away the caustic effect lemon has on my teeth. I also use baking soda after eating anything that has sugar in it (including organic apples, honey, etc.) because the baking soda alkalinizes the sugar in the mouth. For people with sensitive teeth, baking soda is wonderful. I also take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to alkalinize my stomach if it becomes too acidic and burns.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
I have read that one should rinse mouth with water and then wait 30 minutes before brushing after drinking kombucha. I would think the same principle would apply to the acid in lemons.
You can rinse your mouth w baking soda but don’t brush your teeth for 30 mins after eating as your enamel is softened by the acids in lemons and other foods.
Can I souk the lemon peel over night and drink the juice in the morning.? And what are the health benefits?
Are you soaking it in the lemon juice?
How do you deal with the effects on your teeth? Lemons make mine so sensitive.
Is there a reason people crave lemons which is the case for me.
I haven’t noticed any effects on my teeth. Maybe try using a straw would help.
Indeed every citrus are organic but I think this label is given to those which have been grown in a natural/traditional way.
Is it okay if I just swallow my lemon peels without biting on them?
As long as they are small enough not to cause a choking danger.
Hi Lori.. 🙂
Twas just yesterday when I made a juice of the lemon peel and stored it in the fridge for a lemon bath. Is that good or will be expire ??
It should be good for a few days at least.
Does eating “peel of lemon” during lunch/dinner, lead to omitting or stomach pain ? Some people say that……..
I haven’t heard of it before, but anything is possible.
I make this really refreshing drink in the summer. I use limes because I prefer them but lemons would also work. Combine about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of cold watermelon chunks the zest and juice of 1/2 lime or lemon and 1 tsp of honey in a blender until smooth. Yummy
Awesome
I have just started drinking lemon juice ,l didn’t know you could eat the rind .thanks for the info
Very informational post! Just been what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks JJ 🙂
best relaxant when I can’t sleep is a hoot camomile infusion two slices of lemon (no sugar) then eat the lemon rind ..delish.. please try it Ciao!
That sounds great!
When you are referring to the peel, are you just meaning the yellow outer portion? What about the white rind/pith? Both? I dried some in the dehydrator after making juice and I want to grind into a powder to use in various things. For one, I can get my kids to have more bioflavonoids etc by putting into capsules, but there will be other uses I’m sure.Also, when you speak of whey, do you only refer to whey from dairy making?
Thanks in advance.
Primarily, the outer yellow portion has the most nutrients. I haven’t read much about how much is contained in the rind/pith. I’d be interested to find out though.
I have sensitve skin and each time i change to a new product i end up with skin problem.but lemon is now my no 1 companion.For ezcema i use 2spoons of lemon juice with a spoon of honey in 20cl of hot water,dip a linen cloth in it nd place for some minutes on d affected part.continue until d whole juice is absorbed
That’s great! I’ll have to try using it on my face again.
I’ve probably juiced/ingested about 2.5 whole lemons today — so I was Googling to see what the dealio is with lemons. I’m thinking I need to practice the “everything in moderation” rule and not do anymore for the rest of the day. Lol. 😉
lol that’s a really good tip! Sometimes I go too overboard with stuff too 🙂
I alwayshall eat the whole of the lemon apart from the pith, mostly. I often add a locally sourced honey with the lemon washed & chopped into easily chewed size pieces. Let it all brew in a mug, then I drink & eat the mixture. After seeing your reviews I feel like I may have got the cocktail right. ?
I’ll have to give that a try!
Because I worry that I would not be able to digest lemon peel I took about 6 organic lemons after squeezing, put them in the cuisinart, blended welll, added some water,blended again, then strained the mixture, I ended up with a milk like drink. It was bitter,but that’s okay.
My question is this, am I getting most of the benefits this way as opposed to consuming the whole peel?
Thanks, Mary Anne
You should get the same benefits because it’s still raw and not heated or cooked.
Would lime peels be as beneficial?
They do have very similar benefits.
I have realy enjoyed reading your comments.I thank you all for your useful tips.I am very fortunate to haveb3 lemon trees in the garden, plus amazingly sweet oranges.We are living in the south of Spain ‘costa del sol’ and although our house is not isolated, we have no passing traffic whatsoever, or industry.So our fruits are perfect although i still give them a rinse because of dust.We have quite a few tangerines but was quite unsure what to do with so many, now i know.Thank you all. ALI
I fermented a 2 qt of home grown meyer lemons that a neighbor
was giving a way. The Nourished Kitchen has a recipe.
That’s an awesome way to use lemons!
I’ve just started using lemon peel. Another great idea is using fresh zest and a little juice then add a teaspoon of honey. Apply to face for five minutes then rinse. Very rejuvenating. My skin has been dry all winter and after trying this mix just once, I didn’t even have to moisturize after.
I’ll have to try it on my face! Sounds great.
Is the wax on organic lemons harmful if I don’t boil or brush off? Also I heard consuming too much lemon peel could cause crystallization in some parts of the body. I wonder how many lemons is too many a day?
Interesting, I haven’t heard of the crystallization. I wash mine in vinegar to help remove wax.
Also the peels can be used to make homemade lemon-cello, as I discovered online.
very cool!
I have no time for a warm lunch…I almost always make a berry smoothie. I cut just the ends of a lemon off and drop it whole into my mix cup them blend it with a mixing wand. It blends smooth and perks up the smoothie. That way I get a whole lemon almost every day. The peel is really nice and zesty too. Look up a recipe for Moroccan Lemons if you like savory dishes…the recipe requires only a Bell Jar, lemons and salt, and they go with lots of savory foods. I have a huge Meyer Lemon tree in the back yard…they grow well in most climates…if it’s cold where you live plant it in a very large pot for temp emergencies…bundle it in a frost blanket in winter…they fruit all year round, and are a tad sweeter that market lemons.
Thanks for info on lemon peels. I’ve been grating the lemon peels on brown toast with some raw honey over. I love it that way and eat it for breakfast most mornings. Its really yummy.
Aletta
That sounds really yummy!
Fresh lemon peel with a little Himalayan sea salt is delicious! I know people usually think sweet with lemon but the salt works better for me.
That sounds great! I love using Himalayan sea salt!
Came across this site googling benefts of lemon peels,..normally i peel the green off,then peel as much of the white also,then i slice in rinds place in a teacup or mug ,pour in a satchet of ginger tea n pour in my boiling water n leave in for 2 to 3mins before learn a lot n I’m blessed,tnx
Great recipe!