15 Apr

Best Lemons for Lemon Juice and How to Choose Them

A tall glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day can be so refreshing, especially when it was made in your kitchen. Producing a whole pitcher of lemonade is going to require a significant amount of juice from those lemons. By outfitting your collection of small kitchen appliances with a juicer and then buying the best lemons for juicing, squeezing out fresh lemon juice will become a quick and easy task.

A Lemon By Any Other Name

Originating in Southeast Asia, lemons are now cultivated in warm climates around the globe. California is the leading producer in the United States of this acidic fruit. The Lisbon, Eureka and Meyer are the three most commonly found varieties of lemons. The Lisbon and Eureka are very similar, the Eureka being the more abundant of the two in our nation’s supermarkets. Both have bright yellow skins with a slight texture of pores; that of the Eureka tends to be thicker. Both contain seeds; the Lisbon is juicier than its Eureka counterpart. The Meyer lemon is rounder; it’s thinner skin is a darker hue of yellow, slightly orange tinged. Meyers contain more seeds; however they are the juiciest of the three and are less acidic.

best lemons for juicing

Let’s Go Shopping For Lemons

When selecting lemons, seek those with skin that is not so thick. They should be plump and firm, but yield slightly when you apply pressure with your thumb. The skin should be smooth and bright, shiny yellow. Skin bearing traces of green indicates fruit that has not fully matured and contains less juice that will be more acidic. Opt for lemons that seem heavy for their size; these will be the juiciest. Lemons that feel very light have begun to dry out and will contain more bitter pith than juice. Lemons should also be slightly aromatic when the skin is rubbed with your thumb.

Lemons In the Kitchen

When stocking up on lemons for future use, they may be stored in the refrigerator for two to three weeks. If their date with the juicer is within a few days, however, you may display them decoratively on the kitchen counter. Lemons should always be at room temperature when used; they will yield more juice. Before halving, firmly roll the lemons on the counter with your hand for several seconds, as this will free more juice from the pulp.

By buying the best lemons for juicing, fewer fruits will yield the required amount of juice for your recipe, thus saving money. You will also save time and effort with the helping hand of your juicer, inspiration for you to conjure up some lemonade, marinades for fish or meat, salad dressings and decadent desserts.

20 Mar

Lemon Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much of It?

Although lemon juice side effects are usually minor, drinking large quantities of this juice can cause some problems. These include heartburn, increased tooth sensitivity, diarrhea and allergic reactions. Lemon juice, like all citrus fruits, contains citric acid, and it is the acid that may cause problems when you drink a lot of lemon juice.

Heartburn

Although a relatively weak acid, citric acid is nevertheless an acid. Citric acid can irritate the esophagus and cause the burning sensation known as heartburn.

Increased Tooth Sensitivity

Acids of any kind can cause the erosion of tooth enamel. The enamel is what protects the nerves of the teeth, and if the enamel becomes thin, you may find your teeth are more sensitive to cold or to being brushed.

lemon juice side effects

Diarrhea

Some people can develop citric acid intolerance. This is not an actual allergy, but your body’s negative response to a food substance. Diarrhea is one symptom of citric acid intolerance

Allergic Reactions

The most potentially serious of all lemon juice side effects is an allergic reaction to the citric acid. An allergic reaction is caused by your body’s immune system, which treats the offending food as an invader and tries to destroy it. You may develop hives, facial swelling, nausea or a severe drop in blood pressure. In its most acute form, an allergy can produce anaphylaxis, a condition that can be life-threatening in a few minutes if not treated immediately. If you are determined to have citric acid allergy, you will need to avoid citric acid in all forms, including lemon juice.

28 Feb

7 Health Benefits of Lemon Juice

Like most juice from fruits and vegetables, lemon juice has a a number of different health benefits associated with it. For centuries, it has been used for medicative and cosmetic use. For best results, you should make fresh lemon juice rather than relying on brands that can be purchased at stores.

Lemon Juice And Digestion

Lemon juice works wonders on the digestive system. When mixed with warm water, this lemon water mixture can help to relieve a number of stomach related problems, such as bloating and nausea. It also helps in the production of bile and can actually speed up the digestion process. If you frequently suffer from constipation, regular intake of lemon juice can help to relieve this condition.

Lemon

Skin

Whether you are trying to combat wrinkles or want to remove scars and dark spots, lemon juice is the perfect cure. Consuming lemon juice provides the body with an excellent source of vitamin C, which is extremely beneficial to the skin. Vitamin C will help to reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles, and can even reduce the amount of blackheads that appear. Mixing lemon with warm water and then applying it to the skin is a great way to remove certain blemishes and marks from the skin. It works wonders on scars and dark spots. However, lemon juice makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen should be applied before you venture outside.

Stress

Stress affects everyone, and you’ve probably suffered from a bad case yourself once or twice. Lemon juice can help relieve stress at the end of the day. Because of the soothing sent of lemon, applying the juice to the skin or drinking a cold glass of lemon water is the perfect way to unwind. It also provides the body with a boost of vitamin C, which will help to improve your body’s immunity.

Teeth

While some studies show that the acidic content found in lemon juice is damaging to tooth enamel, lemon juice can work wonders on toothaches and wounds found on gums. When applied directly to the pained area, lemon juice can help to eliminate pain. It can also help to cure gum wounds, which is extremely useful being that gum wounds can easily become infected by the dangerous bacteria found in the mouth.

Health Benefits Of Lemon Juice For Diabetes Patients

Drinking lemon juice has also been shown to provide immediate relief for those suffering from diabetes. Those suffering from diabetes should be given a cold glass if they are suffering from any stomach disorders associated with the condition.

Health benefits of lemon juice

Heart

Lemon juice is also extremely beneficial to the heart because of the citric acid and potassium it contains. Compared to other fruits, such as grapes and apples, lemon’s contain a significant amount of citric acid. Lemon juice also acts as a sedative and can help with palpitations of the heart.

Respiratory Benefits

Lemon juice also helps with respiratory problems. It has been shown to revive individuals suffering from asthma and can help those who are having difficulty breathing. In fact, lemon juice has such a significant impact on the respiratory system that many who have climbed Mount Everest successful claim it was only possible because lemon juice got them through when the air became too thin and it was difficult to breath.

The health benefits of lemon juice are endless, but in order to experience them, lemon juice needs to be consumed on a regular and continued basis.

05 Feb

Lemon Nutrition Facts

Lemon Nutrition Facts

Betaine 0 mg
Calcium 26 mg
Calories 29 Calories
Carbohydrate 9,3 g
Carotene-a 1 mcg
Carotene-ß 3 mcg
Choline 5,1 mg
Copper 0,037 mg
Dietary Fiber 2,8 g
Fluoride 0 mcg
Folate 11 mcg
Iron 0,6 mg
Lutein-zeaxanthin 11 mcg
Lycopene  mcg
Magnesium 8 mg
Manganese 0,03 mg
Niacine 0,1 mg
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) 1346 µ mol TE
Pantothenic Acid 0,19 mg
Phosphorus 16 mg
Phytonutrients 35 mcg
Potassium 138 mg
Protein 1,1 g
Pyridoxine Vit. B6 0,08 mg
Riboflavin Vit. B2 0,02 mg
Selenium 0,4 mcg
Sodium 2 mg
Sugar 2,5 g
Thiamine 0,04 mg
Total Fat 0,3 g
Vitamin A 22 IU
Vitamin B6 0,1 mg
Vitamin C 53 mg
Vitamin E 0,15 mg
Vitamin K 0 mcg
Water 89 g
Zinc 0,06 mg