Lemon Peel: The Cheapest Investment In Your Health? (2024)

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Functional Food

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medically reviewed

Author:

Medical reviewer:

March 27, 2020

By Jessica Cooper

mbg Contributor

Jessica Cooper is a Boston-based yoga teacher. She was trained and certified by the Yandara Institute (Yoga Alliance Certified) in 2012 and has been teaching Vinyasa classes ever since.

Medical review by

Wendie Trubow, M.D., MBA

March 27, 2020

Lemons have many widely known uses: They can add a refreshing zest to your water, help clean household items, and add flavor to numerous dishes. Many people only consider using its juice and pulp. But here’s the thing: If you’re only using the juice and discarding the peel, you may be missing out.

Lemons are blessed with many natural health benefits, and no part of them should go to waste. Here are the major advantages of using the whole lemon (especially the peel!).

1.

It gives you more vitamins.

Lemon peels contain as much as five to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice itself1. To name a few: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, beta carotene, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

2.

It can support your body’s detoxification process.

Lemon peels are great for helping your organs eliminate waste from the body, especially carcinogenic elements. Lemon peels also consist of components known as salvestrol Q40 and limonene, which are known to have antioxidant properties2. Also, the flavonoids present in the peel are known to be effective when it comes to curbing the division of cancerous cells3. A rat study also revealed that consumption of hot tea with lemon peel can be beneficial in preventing the development of cancer cells (although, much more research is needed before the same could be said for humans).

3.

It can improve bone health.

Lemon peels have lots of calcium and Vitamin C, which are bone-healthy nutrients. Studies have shown that consuming lemon peels can also help prevent osteoporosis4, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory polyarthritis5, and other bone conditions.

4.

It can decrease cholesterol levels.

Digesting lemon peels can help lower the LDL cholesterol6, or the bad cholesterol, through its polyphenol flavonoids. The vitamins in lemon peels can also help in preventing or minimizing the risks of conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease7.

That’s what we’ve been wasting!

How to use more lemon peels in your diet.

Freeze whole, washed, organic lemons and keep them in your freezer. Then grate the sprinkles of lemon peel over your meals, in your drinks, and on your soups for a fresh flavor and a bit of the lengthy list of benefits above.

Enjoy your lemon peels!

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Lemon Peel: The Cheapest Investment In Your Health? (2024)

FAQs

What does eating a lemon peel do for your body? ›

The bottom line

Although lemon peel normally gets thrown away, research shows that it possesses numerous health benefits. Its fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant contents may support oral, immune, and heart health. It may even have several anticancer properties.

Is lemon peel good for the kidneys? ›

Lemon peel extract was found to be effective in preventing the crystal deposition and renal damage.

Is lemon peel good for inflammation? ›

The lemon-peel extract reduced inflammatory mediators. The lemon-peel extract ameliorated rheumatoid arthritis in a rat model.

Does lemon peel have collagen? ›

The vitamin C and collagen boost from lemon peels benefits your hair as well as your skin.

Is it safe to eat raw lemon peel? ›

Can You eat lemon peels? You can eat properly cleaned lemon peels, as they have many beneficial properties, such as being high in antioxidants and vitamin C. You should be mindful when consuming lemon peel, however, because they are quite acidic. Consider consuming lemon peels in moderation.

Does lemon peel reduce belly fat? ›

Lemon peels are known to promote weight loss and may slow down fat accumulation. This is because they contain pectin fibre, which may help in weight loss by making you feel full for longer. However, lemon juice does not contain any pectin and you will have to rely on the peels to get the same.

Does lemon peel lower cholesterol? ›

Background: We found in preliminary studies with hamsters that citrus peels have a cholesterol lowering effect comparable to that of pectin extracted from these peels.

Does lemon detox liver and kidneys? ›

Experts disagree on whether lemon does indeed detox the liver, however studies suggest that lemon water may improve liver function. Lemon water also holds a number of other benefits such as boosting the immune system, aiding digestion and helping with weight loss.

Can I eat lemon peel daily? ›

Like all fruits, lemons should be properly washed before eating. But after a thorough rinse to remove such particles as dirt, bacteria, and pesticides, it is perfectly safe to eat lemon peels, according to the Center for Food Safety. Eating this part of the lemon helps cut down on food waste, too.

Can you boil lemon peels and drink it? ›

Some people even claim that it can boost weight loss, clear up your skin, and enhance immunity. The beverage is made by boiling lemons or lemon peels in water. In some cases, people add other ingredients, such as ginger, honey, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper.

Is lemon peel good for arthritis? ›

Topical Lemon Peel Lotion

This home remedy not only alleviates the symptoms linked to joint pain and inflammation, it fortifies and beautifies your skin, delivering much-desired nutrients to your skin and body circulatory systems so that every organ in your body receives nourishment.

Can I rub lemon peel on my face? ›

Fights Acne and Blemishes

The antibacterial properties help combat the acne-causing bacteria, while the astringent properties help tighten pores, reducing excess oil production. Additionally, natural acids in lemon peel can help diminish dark spots and acne scars, leading to a more even-toned complexion.

Does lemon peel help hair growth? ›

Lemon peel powders are a good source of vitamin C, which accelerates the synthesis of collagen and speeds up the growth of your hair. The acidity in lemon aids in tightening hair shafts, which reduces hair loss. Additionally, it also helps in scalp cleaning and hair root unclogging.

What vitamins are in lemon peel? ›

Lemon peels are thought to contain plenty of bioactive compounds. They have excellent nutritional value, with a fair amount of vitamin C, fibre, calcium, potassium, D-limonene, and magnesium. These nutrients might contribute to the following lemon peel benefits: Improved oral health.

Is it healthy to eat a whole lemon peel? ›

Lemon peels are thought to contain plenty of bioactive compounds. They have excellent nutritional value, with a fair amount of vitamin C, fibre, calcium, potassium, D-limonene, and magnesium. These nutrients might contribute to the following lemon peel benefits: Improved oral health.

Is eating citrus peels good for you? ›

Citrus peels are a great nutraceutical, they contain flavonoids, polyphenols and dietary fibers. They also contain minerals, carotenoids and essential oils. citrus peels are a powerhouse of Vitamin C and antioxidants. They have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.”

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