Limes and Lemons

Heal cuts and bruises, Prevent cancer and heart disease

You may not like tartness of lemons and limes, but back in the nineteen century people literally craved them, not for the tart taste but for remarkable health benefits these colorful fruits contain.

British sailors, for example, who typically spent months at sea without fresh fruits or vegetables, would drink lime juice to prevent scurvy, a terrible disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. And in California during the Gold Rush, when fruits were equally scarce, miners paid top dollar for lemons.

Of all nutrients we’re most familiar with, vitamin C is perhaps the most impressive. During cold season it’s always in demand, since it lowers levels if histamine, a naturally occurring chemical that can cause red eyes and runny noses. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant, meaning that it helps disarm powerful oxygen molecules in the body that contribute to cancer and heart disease. The body also uses vitamin C to manufacture collagen, the staff that glues cells together and is needed to help heal cuts and wounds.

The pulp and juice from lemons and limes are rich sources of vitamin C. A large lemon, for example contains about 45 milligrams of vitamin C, limes are also good, with s small lime containing about 20 milligrams of vitamin C.

There is more to lemons and limes than just vitamin C. These citrus fruits also contain additional compounds such as limonin and limonene, which help to block some of the cellular changes that can lead to cancer.

Limonene, which is found mainly in the colorful skin, or zest, of the fruit, has been shown to increase the activity of proteins that help eliminate estradiol, a naturally occurring hormone that has been linked with breast cancer. Limonene has also been shown to increase the level of enzymes in the liver that can remove cancer-causing chemicals.

Some innovative organic food companies add citrus zest to baking flower to provide added health benefits.

Whether you’re making a lemon meringue pie or simply adding flavor to store-bought lemon yogurt, be sure to add plenty of zest. The healing compound limonene makes up about 65% of oils in the peel. While fresh citrus peel contains the most healing compounds, dried lemon peel isn’t bad and you can find dried lemon peel in the spice rack at the supermarket.