Lemons (original post 23/04/2011)

_Lemon juice contains citric acid and is acidic to taste, however, lemons are considered alkaline forming. This means that the effect on the blood is alkaline versus milk that don't taste acidic, yet has acid forming properties in the blood.

Acid is anything below a pH of 7, 7 is neutral, and above 7 is alkaline. Our blood must stay between a pH of 7.35 and 7.45 which is slightly alkaline. There is a greater tendency to head towards acidosis i.e. too much acid in the blood, due to diet and lifestyle factors that are more prone to acid formation. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium that are required for strong bones, are alkaline minerals and are frequently needed to bring our blood back to neutral. Hence diets that are too acid forming (especially high protein and fried foods), can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis.

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_So back to lemons! Lemons are an amazing food and the whole lemon is useful.

Lemon peel or zest is extremely tasty when used to enhance flavour of certain foods. Use grated into Parmesan cheese, grated into pasta sauce, use in lemon custard, lemon puddings and other baked items needing lemon flavour.

Lemon (and lime) peel also helps to remove bad estrogens from our bodies that are introduced from chemicals like pesticide residues in meat and vegetables, from pollution and exhaust fumes and especially from plastics that we store food in and  drink from. Too much estrogen in our bodies leads to a condition called estrogen dominance. Estrogens can dominate over the androgen group of hormones (progesterone, testosterone and DHEA) which can lead too hormone imbalances like infertility, bad menopausal symptoms, PMS and polycystic ovaries. Estrogen dominance has also been linked to cancers like breast and prostate.

Lemon pith (the white parts) is full of bioflavanoids (particularly quercetin) which enhance the effects of Vitamin C. Its also a good fibre source. The pith is bitter to taste and is also consider a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory.

Lemon juice contains 90% of the Vit C in lemons. Vitamin C cannot be produced by our bodies so its essential we get it from food. Vit C is needed for many bodily functions particularly for our immune    systems and for healing. Vit C is also a powerful antioxidant.

Lemon pips contain GSE (grapefruit seed extract) which is anti-fungal and antibacterial. Also Vit B17 (Laetrile) which is known as an anti-cancer substance.

Tips for using more lemons

• Use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Lemon juice in water is the best thing to put in your body first thing in the morning.
• Use zest and juice to add flavour to anything that needs it.
• A little lemon juice can enhance certain meals by balancing out flavour with the sour component.
• Juice or blend whole lemons to get the benefits of everything!
• Lemon juice will stop things browning or discolouring e.g. cut apples, pesto, steamed veggies.