Jakarta –
Lemons and limes are two types of fruit that we often use every day for cooking. In fact, these two types of oranges also have abundant nutritional content and extraordinary benefits for health.
Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and other natural compounds, these two fruits are often the main choice for maintaining the body’s immune system, improving the digestive system, and maintaining beautiful skin. However, to get maximum benefits, you certainly need to pay attention to how to process it.
Processing lemons and limes is not just limited to squeezing them into juice. There are many creative ways you can do this, from mixing it in drinks, making it the main ingredient in food, to using it for natural body care.
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How to Process Lemons and Limes
Lemons and limes are included in the category of citrus fruits that are commonly used. Both have a fresh, sour taste and are highly beneficial if consumed regularly.
Reporting from the USDA, 100 grams of lemon contains around 53 milligrams of vitamin C, while lime contains around 29 milligrams. Vitamin C in lemons and limes makes them taste sour, but can act as an antioxidant.
Usually lemons and limes are consumed as drinks or mixed with cooking. In the WebMD article verified by Zilpah Sheikh, MD, and the Medical News Today article verified by Natalie Butler, RD, LD, there are many healthy ways to use each lemon and lime juice as follows:
1. Flavor Enhancer
Lemon is usually used for food that is attached to processed fish and to strengthen the taste. Meanwhile, lime is usually used to juice soupy dishes, as a balance to cooking.
When you squeeze the juice into water or into a delicious dish, the juice of these two types of fresh oranges provides the same vitamins and minerals. These two types of oranges balance the taste, without adding additional sugar content to the dish.
2. Become a Drink
Lemons and limes have a strong and sour taste. Both can be made into fresh drinks in the form of juice, or even as fruit slices.
Lemon and lime are a great addition to many drinks, whether hot or cold. Such as adding slices of lemon or lime to water to make orange juice, infused water, or using lemon or lime to add a fresh taste to tea.
However, both of these fruits have a bitter taste on the skin. So when making a drink or mixing juice with other fruit, the skin of the fruit must be peeled first.
3. Complementary cooking spices
Apart from that, lemon and thyme are usually the best combination for marinating chicken and fish. Meanwhile, lime goes well with garlic, which can be added with chili powder to marinate meat. When cooking, you don’t have to peel the skin, because the bitter taste makes it unique.
4. Aromatherapy
If you have finished using the juice, the remaining lemon and lime peel can also be used as a calming fragrance. The high acidity level makes these two oranges also effective in killing bacteria and even repelling mosquitoes. That’s why, now many essential oils are added with fragrant extracts of lemon, lime and other citrus fruits as aromatherapy.
Benefits of Lemons and Limes for the Body
Lemons and limes are types of citrus fruit with very similar nutrition and health benefits, even though their origins are different. Lemons come from small evergreen trees native to South Asia. Meanwhile, several types of orange trees produce lime which originates from Southeast Asia.
Both lemons and limes have great functions in traditional medicine. Both contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that provide various health benefits. Here are 7 benefits of lemon and lime for healthy body:
1. Fades facial wrinkles
Many women avoid premature aging, because it can affect their appearance. Apart from external care, encouragement from within also needs to be considered. The way to do this is by consuming the right vitamin C, such as lemon and lime.
Vitamin C can help the process of forming collagen, so that the skin becomes supple and shining. Of course, facial wrinkles also fade naturally.
2. Helps weight loss
Some sources claim that consuming lemon can help you lose weight. In fact, it is not uncommon for us to find lemon water and fresh lemon juice as part of weight loss diet tips.
However, it is said that there is currently no scientific evidence to prove that lemons can aid significant weight loss. Lemons can be part of a healthy diet, but may also be inseparable from efforts to reduce calorie intake, exercise regularly and improve the quality of a healthy lifestyle.
High blood pressure can be triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle. Such as consuming foods high in salt or being obese.
One way to reduce it is by consuming lemons and limes regularly. The method is to add lemon juice to water and consume it directly. But of course with a doctor’s supervision and followed by reducing foods high in salt.
If you are taking blood pressure medication or other medication, you should consult a doctor because you are worried that oranges may inhibit the medication’s action. Consuming orange juice is only a distraction, not as a medicine to reduce the effects of eating foods high in salt.
4. Prevent chronic disease
Lemons and limes contain flavonoids, a phytochemical that has several health benefits such as heart disease and metabolic disorders. Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cancer-fighting, and neuroprotective properties.
Although, further research is still needed to confirm its effects on humans. Research on flavonoids is still in its early stages.
5. Improves brain health
Lemons and limes can also be consumed to improve brain health. Because these two citrus fruits contain special chemicals that can keep brain cells safe from toxic substances.
Both also contain high levels of antioxidants, so they can protect against cell damage and inflammation in general. Lemons and limes are also good for regular consumption in reducing the risk of several brain diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
6. Maintains healthy gums
Dental health really needs attention. Problems such as swollen gums, bleeding, and loose teeth are often experienced by many people. Usually it is triggered by a lack of vitamin C. To maintain healthy gums and teeth, regular consumption of lemons and limes is recommended.
However, the citric acid in lemons and limes can also have a bad impact on tooth enamel. At least wait about 30 minutes if you want to brush your teeth after eating or drinking lemon and lime.
7. Overcoming Flu Symptoms
The rainy season is underway in Indonesia, causing some people to experience flu symptoms. This is due to a decreased immune system.
To maintain the body’s immunity, it is important to consume balanced nutritious food and drinks. Vitamin C is a nutrient whose intake must be maintained.
You can consume lemons and limes to maintain the immune system. If you consume it at the first sign of flu, it can help your body heal more quickly.
So, that’s how to prepare lemons and limes for everyday use. It turns out there are lots of good benefits for the body, huh!
(au/fds)
