LEMONS! Versatile & Healthy!

Fight Diabetes With Lemons! Who knew lemons were so versatile! So, not only do they look good in a bowl on your coffee table - they have tons of health benefits!

For a mere 50 cents (give or take), you can marinate and season your dinner, boost your immune system, relieve a sore throat, soothe an upset stomach, purify your liver, exfoliate your skin, treat dandruff, prevent cancer, lower blood-sugar levels, decrease the GI of foods, and possibly reduce your stress level— all with the same item.

This isn’t a parody of a TV commercial—we’re talking about lemons! This citrus fruit is one of the most versatile pieces of produce on the planet and has helped people cook, heal, and beautify themselves (not to mention clean up afterwards!) for thousands of years. Here are just a few of the ways how: • Lemon is a great way to get full flavor from foods without adding fat or salt; in fact, many cooks consider it a good substitute for salt. Try a squeeze of lemon as a zesty finishing touch on fresh veggies or fruits. And here’s another secret: Lemons taste great in marinade for chicken, fish, and meat, and the acids not only tenderize the meat, but lower the glycemic load of the meal, too. • A mug of hot water, lemon juice (and a teaspoon of honey, if need be) has been used for centuries to treat colds, throat infections, food cravings, intestinal gas, and constipation.
• Bursting with vitamin C, low in calories, and high in potassium—lemons even contain compounds that help t! o prevent various types of cancers. To reap all the beneficial properties, try adding a few slices to your ice water. You should be drinking plenty anyway, and the fresh citrus flavor will make the routine not so much of a routine. • These citrus jewels also cleanse the liver—the health of which is vital to our overall well-being. Citrus oils stimulate the liver to expel toxins from the body. The liver plays a major role in storing and circulating glucose in the body.For all the beneficial effects of lemons inside our bodies, there are even more uses on the outside. Best of all, you’ll save hundreds of dollars on beauty products! Lemon is fantastic for your skin. The natural fruit acids gently remove dead skin cells and lighten age spots, freckles, and facial discolorations. The acidity zaps oiliness and cleans pores without stripping the skin of its natural oil balance.

• Simple homemade astringent. Dab fresh-squeezed lemon juice onto a cotton ball and apply to face (or simply run a slice of lemon over your face) each morning. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse. For especially dark age spots, place a slice of lemon directly onto the spot and leave for 10 minutes. • Simple homemade exfoliant. Slice a lemon in half and dip into granulated sugar. Rub vigorously on rough patches of skin, especially the feet, elbows, and knees.