Spring is well underway, the equinox has just passed, and everything is growing amazingly. Lemons are still available in vast abundance, and it is a perfect time to stock up your freezer, fridge and tins with some delicious, home made lemony goodness.
Lemons are full of vitamin C, so they are fantastic for chasing off any lingering winter chills and bugs, and boosting our immune systems. They also have other health benefits too. According to the website
lemons can:
Help improve heart health - it is thought that eating foods rich in vitamin c can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Lemons are full of vitamin C, and just one lemon provides 51% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. The fibre and plant compounds in lemons are also thought to significantly reduce some risk factors for heart disease, including lowering cholesterol levels
Some animal studies have shown that lemon extract and plant compounds can promote weight loss
Citric acid, found in lemon juice, may help to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
The vitamin c in lemons helps to absorb iron from foods, helping to prevent anaemia
D-limonene, a compound found in lemon oil, has been found to have anti cancer properties. Diets rich in citrus fruits and vitamin c have been linked with a lower risk of cancer.
Lemons contain pectin, which is a form of soluble fibre. Soluble pectin is known to improve gut health and slow the digestion of sugars and starches, resulting in reduced blood sugar levels. However, it is important to eat the pulp to get these health benefits.
So lemons are clearly a tasty and healthy way to get some very important nutrients into our bodies.
In the kitchen, lemons are incredibly versatile. You can juice them and freeze the juice for a continuous supply of lemon juice, and you can add the zest and juice to smoothies, cocktails, cakes, biscuits, soups, salad dressings, pesto, and sauces, for an extra fresh zing. You can also turn the juice into lemon curd or lemon honey, for a really special treat. So get picking and juicing and cooking, and let us know your favourite lemon recipe!
