Frozen lemon: useful properties and contraindications

The benefits of this representative of citrus fruits have been known for a very long time. Even the ancient herbalists advised its use to strengthen the immune system, as well as in various diseases. But the freezing of lemons became relatively recent, and this method of storing the fruit residents of Russia have come to taste. Why? It is very simple. After a number of studies on the properties of lemons, doctors have concluded that they are even healthier frozen than fresh lemons. It should be noted that storing lemons in the freezer significantly prolongs their life. Frozen fruit can be stored for up to several months and during all this time retain its useful properties. However, eating frozen lemons also has a number of contraindications. We will talk about all of this in detail below.

Composition and calories

The composition of the lemon is very generous in various trace elements that are beneficial to the human body. It does not matter in what form it is consumed. Someone likes to eat lemon slices just like that, someone adds it to tea, and some use it as a salad dressing. Lemonade made just from frozen lemon slices turns out very tasty. In this case, the caloric value of the fruit is small, only about 29 kcal per 100 grams. The energy value of lemon juice is 16.1 kcal per 100 grams. If you calculate the caloric value of a lemon, it turns out about this: the weight of an average fruit is 120-130 grams, so it has about 35-37 kcal. Because of these properties, the lemon can be actively used during the diet, it helps to improve the metabolism.

The calories are solved, now let's analyze in detail the composition. So, the notorious 100 grams of fruit in its composition have:

• Potassium (163 mg);
• vitamin C (40 mg);
• calcium (40 mg);
• phosphorus (23 mg);
• magnesium (12 mg);
• sulfur (10 mg).
• Next are:
• aluminum (0.446 mg);
• zinc (0.126 mg);
• Copper (0.24 mg);
• Lithium (0.11 mg).

Lemon also contains small amounts of boron, iodine, rubidium, vitamin A and thiamine. Not to forget the polyunsaturated acids omega-3, omega-6.

This describes the composition of the fresh fruit. But the frozen fruit fully preserves these properties, so there is no doubt in its usefulness.

What are the benefits of frozen lemon

General Benefits

About the use of this fruit as an assistant in the fight against viral and colds, even young children know, and that it strengthens the immune system and saturates the body with necessary vitamins. In addition, lemon is one of the strongest antioxidants, increases the body's ability to purify the blood and makes the blood vessels stronger. This fruit is recommended for people suffering from atherosclerosis. Regular consumption of lemons increases stamina, strengthens the heart muscle, normalizes the work of the brain and nervous system, thus improving the duration and quality of sleep.

For people who have gastrointestinal disorders, lemon will also be very useful, because it stabilizes the digestive process, helps to cope with constipation.

This representative of the citrus fruit is an excellent solvent of uric acid, so it helps people who suffer from rheumatism, gout and sciatica.

For women

Few members of the fair sex, looking at their reflection in the mirror, would not like to restore youthful skin, make hair healthier, to put it simply, to correct some defects in appearance, which prevent them to enjoy life. This fruit has no equal in returning the body to a healthy and well-groomed appearance. It is a natural antioxidant, so it perfectly cleanses the skin from various rashes, acne, pimples, improves the elasticity of the upper layer of the epidermis. Thanks to this, the face looks younger and fresher, pleases the eye with smooth skin, its healthy color and radiance.

Excellent effect lemon has on the hair. With its help you can restore the sebaceous glands and get rid of rapid contamination of the hair. Hair rinsed with lemon juice diluted in water becomes more manageable, silky and soft. But more about the use of lemon in cosmetic procedures a little later.

For men

For men, the frozen lemon is primarily useful as a means to maintain male strength. Even in ancient times, this fruit was used in the treatment of male infertility, as the use of lemon affects the quality and mobility of sperm. It is also a proven fact of the positive effects of the natural components contained in it for the treatment of prostatitis and adenoma of the prostate. In addition, lemon is good for the production of testosterone and enhances potency.

When pregnant

During pregnancy, the frozen lemon will also be useful, but you should use it with caution. The main property of the lemon, for which it is so respected by pregnant women, is to help in the fight against toxicosis. It is known that many expectant mothers in the first trimester suffer from frequent and unexpected attacks of nausea, which interfere with work, household chores and in general knock them out of their usual way of life. Lemon is the remedy that helps a pregnant woman to return to the usual conditions of life.

In order to get rid of nausea, it is better to drink water with lemon juice. In our case, it can be water with a few frozen slices of the fruit. The water will dissolve the ice, and the thawed pulp will secrete enough lemon juice. Also, to combat morning attacks of nausea, before going to bed you should put a plate with a slice of lemon, which should be chewed before you get up, so that the body gets a share of acid before the change of position. There is an opinion that this "sunny fruit" helps to get rid of heartburn, because, despite the abundance of acids, it reduces the acidity in the body. Since pregnancy is often accompanied by heartburn, it is worth trying lemon as a way to get rid of it.

However, we should not forget that in an interesting position to consume this fruit should not be a fanaticism. In later terms, lemon will help to remove swelling, which appears due to the enlargement of the uterus and squeezing by it the internal organs of the woman, in particular the kidneys.

When breastfeeding

During the lactation period, lemon should be introduced gradually, but not earlier than a month after the baby is born. It was in the first month there is adaptation of the child, getting used to new conditions. You need to wait until he gets a little stronger. In order to introduce frozen lemon into the diet of a nursing mother and baby, you should start with tea, in which to add slices from the freezer. It is better to pre-cool the tea before this, so that the hot water does not destroy the vitamin C.

The best time to drink it is in the morning, because tea with lemon is a very invigorating drink, which will also affect the activity of the child. Do not forget that if your baby is allergic, you should immediately stop eating lemon and in no case try it again.

For children

Children can be offered lemon from 8-10 months. It is best if it is water with the addition of frozen lemon slices. After the first sample, it is better to observe the baby for a couple of days without giving the product again. If there are no allergies, you can safely pour a child sometimes sour water. Give full lemon slices with sugar can be given from 2 years, but their use should also be moderate. The "sunny" fruit from an early age will act on the baby's body bracing, improve immunity, which will not let them get sick often.

When losing weight

When losing weight, lemon is an indispensable ally. As mentioned above, it increases the metabolic processes in the body, due to which weight loss is faster. You can use lemon as a supplement to various kinds of diets or try the lemon diet, which itself is quite tough. Lemon improves digestion, removes toxins from the body. Due to this, weight loss takes place. Basically, in order to lose extra pounds, it is not necessary to torture yourself with a strict diet. It will be enough to limit yourself in the consumption of unhealthy foods and add a frozen lemon. He will significantly help in this, but you should not forget about caution, as well as the need to drink at least 6 glasses of plain water per day to regulate the acidity in the body.

It is also worth following a few simple rules:

1. Water with the addition of frozen lemon slices should not be cold, as this has a bad effect on the metabolism.
2. To improve the effect of the diet, you should eat more fruits and vegetables.
3. It is better to drink lemon drinks in small sips, this will reduce the feeling of hunger.

Speaking of lemon drinks. In frozen form, this fruit can be added not only to plain water, but also to tea, and also mixed with ginger and honey. Such a drink is not only healthy, but also very tasty.

Frozen lemon in medicine

In addition to the general tonic effect of the lemon on the heart, blood vessels, intestines and nervous system, which has been described above, it has another very important feature. Relatively recently, this fruit has been recognized as one of those natural products that help successfully fight a number of cancers, such as colon, digestive, lung, breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Long studies by scientists in the field have shown that the substances in the lemon have the same effect as the chemotherapy that modern hospitals use to slow the growth of cancer cells. At the same time, it was found that lemon consumption promotes the destruction of diseased cells, while healthy cells remain in place.

Cosmetic applications

As mentioned earlier, lemon is very beneficial for the skin due to its cleansing properties. Both industrial cosmetic manufacturers and the average woman are aware of this and most often prefer natural skin care products.

You can use lemon juice, frozen slices or zest to improve the appearance. On the basis of these components are made various facial masks. Modern cosmetic manufacturers use lemon to create anti-aging creams and remedies to remove age spots that may appear on the face due to menopause and age-related changes. Homemade masks using lemon extract help fight the appearance of dark spots, contribute to a slight whitening of the skin, tighten it and affect its tone. This depends on the content of ascorbic acid in lemon juice, which has a favorable effect on the upper layers of the epidermis.

On the basis of frozen lemon you can make various facial masks. You can use whole slices or just pulp. It is advised to add honey, eggs, cosmetic clay and other fruits such as kiwi. When using lemon for masks at home, basic precautions must be observed:

1. Do not use pure lemon juice, it can damage the skin to the point of burning.
2. Before using a prepared remedy, try it on the inside of the wrist to make sure there is no allergic reaction.
3. Avoid getting the mask in your eyes, otherwise you risk a chemical burn of the mucosa.

Lemon is very good for your hair. It helps to strengthen and improve the structure of the hair due to the vitamins and oils it contains. It helps in the fight against such an unpleasant manifestation as dandruff. The use of lemon juice is indispensable for blondes, it perfectly lightens the curls and makes them shinier.

When using this fruit for hair care, you should pay attention to the fact that if your scalp is dry, it is better to add oils to it to avoid over drying.

Health Hazards and Contraindications

The use of frozen lemon, despite its useful properties, should be used with caution.

1. All citrus fruits, including lemon, are strong allergens. The fact that it is frozen does not get rid of this property. Therefore, people prone to allergic reactions should exercise special caution.
2. The frequent use increases the acidity of the stomach, so if you already have such a problem, it is better to refrain from eating lemons even in a frozen form.
3. Lemon is contraindicated to people suffering from stomach diseases - ulcers, gastritis. It can only aggravate the problem.
4. Hypertensives should monitor their condition after drinking lemon, because it can provoke a sharp rise in blood pressure due to the ability to increase vascular tone.

How to freeze lemons correctly

In order for the fruit to be beneficial, it must be properly harvested. If the conditions are not right, the lemon can lose its useful properties. Before you send the fruit to the freezer, it is necessary to prepare them, that is, to wash them properly from the agent with which they are treated for storage in bases and stores. It should be washed with soap and a brush, and after that it is necessary to put boiling water on them. If the peel is damaged in places or has dark spots, these should be cut off.

Lemons can be frozen in various ways.

Whole .

This way they will be as fresh. The only disadvantage may find for owners of small freezers - whole lemons take up a lot of space.

Slices

Finely slice the pre-washed fruit, place it on parchment and freeze. After freezing, place in a plastic food storage container.

Chopped pulp.

This can be frozen in a container or disposable molds by cutting off the zest before shredding.

Freezing the zest

You can grate the zest for freezing and freeze it in a plastic container, which is the most convenient way to store it.

Frozen juice

Once squeezed, the lemon juice should be strained from the pulp and seeds and poured into ice molds. You can then transfer them to a zip-top bag.

You can use any method you like, because they all retain the properties of the fruit. This means that if you urgently need a lemon, it is not necessary to run to the store to get it, just open the freezer.

How to use a frozen lemon

It can be used as an additive to dishes for a unique flavor or for medicinal purposes. For example:

1. The most popular way to use frozen lemon slices is to add them to slightly cooled tea to preserve all the vitamins and health benefits.
2. Lemon slices as an additive to morses, compotes and herbal decoctions will help support the body during colds and avitaminosis. Lemon combines well with honey. We should not forget that the water should be used warm.
3. Grated lemon zest can be put in the dough, it will give the finished pastry an interesting taste and color.
4. Lemon pulp can be added to a vegetable salad, if it has no mayonnaise. It will preserve and enhance the flavor of the vegetables.
5. Foodies who like to eat pasta with sugar, cottage cheese, cheese, etc., can try adding some grated lemon pulp to it. The taste is unusual, but very interesting.

If you want to add variety to your diet, you can add chopped frozen citrus to various pureed soups. It's a bit of an amateur, but it's worth a try.

There are also options for adding frozen lemon to a marinade for meat or fish, to a vegetable salad, or as an additive to a creamy ice cream.

How to make lemonade from frozen lemons

Making a delicious, refreshing drink is another way to process frozen lemons. This kind of lemonade is loved by both adults and children, its popularity especially increases in the sultry summer.

There are many original and refined recipes for making lemonade with the addition of various herbs, spices, tropical fruits, but the classic version using lemon, sugar and water remains out of competition. In terms of cooking time, it is also the leader, you will need only 10-15 minutes.

To make it, you will need:

• 3 cups hot water;
• 2 medium lemons;
• 2-3 tbsp. spoonfuls of sugar.

Lemons are better taken, cut into slices. Pour them into the container in which the lemonade will be made, pour hot water. Important: do not pour all the water, but leave a little for the syrup. The syrup is made by mixing the sugar and the water. Pour the syrup into the lemonade, stir, cover and leave to infuse. After the lemonade has cooled, add ice cubes and serve. Garnish lemonade glasses with slices of lemon or other fruit. You can also add a sprig of fresh mint. In one similar recipe, sugar is replaced by honey. So the drink will turn out more natural.

Interesting Facts about Lemons

Here are some interesting facts about the "sunny" fruit:

1. Lemons are native to India. They still grow wild there.
2. Lemons are an antimicrobial. Since ancient times, water with lemon juice has been used to wash hands to disinfect them, and more diluted water was drunk to protect against intestinal infections.
3. The fruit strengthens the nails. This fact is known by women who practice lemon nail baths as a way to prevent brittleness and splitting.
4. Lemon zest is used to make essential oil.
5. If the lemon is ripe, it has almost no bitterness.
6. Lemon is a mood enhancer. This is helped by the essential oils that its peel emits.
7. The product helps fight insomnia and fatigue.
8. For a very long time, lemons were considered an ornamental plant in Europe, but in Asia they were already used to great effect for medicinal purposes.
9. When Alexander the Great went to India and brought them back, they were called "Indian apples" because they were unmistakably "apple sweet".
10. Lemon removes excess salt from a dish.
11. The tradition of snatching a slice of lemon from the tea and eating it came about after Shostakovich did it while at a dinner party for Queen Elizabeth II, in Great Britain. The queen is said to have followed his example, followed by all her courtiers.
12. The Spanish consider the lemon a symbol of unrequited love. Thus, a girl could send her beau a lemon as a sign that she would not accept his advances and attempts would be better left.
13. There is such a delicacy - pickled lemon. It is difficult to imagine the taste of it, but in India they still believe that this is the best way to preserve the beneficial properties of the fruit.