More Than 13 Ways Lemons Benefit Your Health and Home

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Lemon water has many health benefits and is a refreshing way to start your morning or relax on a hot afternoon.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Lemons are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and flavonoids that have a variety of medicinal benefits, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The nutritional value of lemons is associated with several robust health benefits.
• Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The flavonoids found in lemons also reduce inflammation, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. A mixture of garlic and lemon juice improved lipid levels and blood pressure, all risk factors for heart disease.
• The antioxidants in lemons may help protect liver health—several studies have shown topical application of vitamin C can slow the early signs of skin aging, prevent photoaging, and help treat hyperpigmentation, skin hydration, and elasticity by promoting collagen synthesis.
• Lemons can naturally clean and deodorize your home, and can be used as an insect repellent and weed killer. Although generally well-tolerated, some people are allergic to lemon or develop contact dermatitis with repeated exposure to it. Drinking lemon water through a straw can reduce enamel erosion. Drinking too much can lead to heartburn and nausea.

Citrus fruits are among the most widely cultivated crops in the world. A 2018 study¹ sought a better understanding of the origin of citrus trees by examining DNA. The researchers believe a plausible explanation is that modern citrus trees likely descended from natural species found in a triangle formed by northern Myanmar, northwestern Yunnan, and northeastern India.