It is likely that like many you have been throwing the lemon peels after squeezing their juice, and unknowingly, you are missing out on the many benefits and uses they provide. Believe it or not lemon peels are more nutritionally dense than lemons! If you want to know more about the benefits and interesting ways to include lemon peels in your diet, beauty routine and home remedies, read on!
Potential Health Benefits of Lemon Peel
Studies have shown that lemon peel is good for oral hygiene, weight loss, skin, heart and bone health, and immunity. It’s also useful around the house because it can be used as a natural, non-toxic cleaner, deodorant, and insect repellant.
It is rich in fiber, vitamin C, AHAs, potassium, calcium, pectin, and bioactive flavonoids such as d-limonene that provide numerous health benefits. Let’s see some of them:
It can fight acne and pigmentation and help fight aging
Lemon peels contain ascorbic acid and vitamin C in large quantities. It also has a high concentration of antioxidants that help in detoxification. These ingredients are good for your skin as they help delay the appearance of wrinkles, reduce blemishes and slow down the aging process.
The vitamin C in lemon peel can brighten skin and help reduce age spots. Vitamin C helps stimulate collagen production which, in turn, can help firm skin.
The skin of lemons also contains citric acid. Citric acid helps rejuvenate the skin and remove dead skin cells. It can gently peel away the outer layer of sun-damaged skin, leading to a reduction in brown spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Alpha hydroxy acids treat acne and improve acne-prone skin by working on the inner layers of the skin.
May promote weight loss
The lemon peels They are rich in antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and several essential vitamins and minerals. The pectin in lemon peel helps to lose weight and fight obesity.
Citrus pectin was found to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects on certain gut bacteria linked to fighting obesity in a study stimulated using SHIME (Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem Simulator). These beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Megamonas, responded positively to lemon peel extracts (6).
May help maintain oral health and hygiene
Lemon peel is also great for oral health and maintaining good oral hygiene. Vitamin C deficiency is linked to bleeding gums, scurvy, and gingivitis. The lemon peels they are abundant in vitamin C, so consuming it in various forms, such as lemon peel water or lemon peel tea, can combat dental problems such as abscesses and tooth decay.
Can improve bone health
Lemon peel helps improve bone health as it contains high amounts of calcium and vitamin C, which are essential components of bones and our skeletal structure.
Being rich in antioxidants, lemon peel can help reduce inflammation, which can aid in the management of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.
It can treat oxidative stress and detoxify the body
Lemon peel is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that controls cell damage by scavenging free radicals or toxins released during stress or certain biological processes related to cell death and aging.
May prevent heart conditions and lower cholesterol
The lemon peel It can help control cardiovascular disorders by preventing heart disease, diabetes, and improving blood circulation due to the presence of flavonoids, vitamin C, and pectin. Likewise, the regulation of blood pressure requires potassium, which is found in abundance in lemon peel.
Can treat bacterial and fungal infections
Anecdotal evidence suggests that ingesting lemon peel tea protects against infections such as the common cold, flu, ear infection, and urinary tract infections. This could be due to the antibacterial properties of lemon peel.
Research has found that lemon peel reduces the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant fungi. Despite these promising findings, research is required to prove this benefit in humans.
can improve immunity
The high concentrations of flavonoids and vitamin C in the lemon peel It can boost your immunity. A severe deficiency of vitamin C can result in a severely compromised immune system, so be sure to consume the recommended daily amount. Supplementing this with dietary intake of lemon peel is a healthy and nutritious option.
Uses of lemon peels
Lemon peel can be incorporated into your skin and hair care regimen. It can also be used to keep your home sparkling clean and fresh.
For skin and hair care
Body scrub to lighten the skin
You will need a handful of lemon peels, 1/2 cup of sugar, olive oil. Grind the shells to form a paste. Mix the sugar with the lemon peel pastes. Add olive oil according to your skin type. Dry skin needs more hydration, therefore more olive oil. Massage onto damp skin in gentle circular motions to exfoliate dead skin cells. Rinse with water.
Use this scrub no more than once a week as it can lead to over-scrubbing and dryness.
hair lightener
The citric acid in lemon peel has a bleaching effect, so it can be used as a hair lightener.
You will need 2 cups of lemon peels, water, and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. boil the lemon peels in water for one hour. Strain the water into a bowl. Mix coconut oil in lemon peel water. Apply this mixture evenly on your hair and leave it on for an hour.
Shampoo it and condition your hair.
Do not leave this mixture on your hair for more than an hour as it can make your hair brittle or dry.
Cracked foot cream
You will need 1 cup of dried lemon peels, Vaseline, and socks. Grate the shells into a powder. Mix with Vaseline to make a paste. Apply this paste on your feet. Put on your socks and leave the paste on overnight.
nail whitener
Using lemon peel on your nails can remove discoloration.
You will need a handful of lemon peels and water. Grind the shells to form a paste. Apply the paste on your nails and let it act for a few minutes. Wash it off with water.