Lemons are a versatile fruit that can be used to add flavor to drinks and food. A lemon goes perfectly squeezed over a salad, fish, or chicken. It’s also a great way to add a healthy kick of flavor to your water.
Lemon isn’t just a keto-friendly fruit. It’s actually one of the best fruits you can put in your body because of its plethora of health benefits. Here are six reasons why lemons are a keto-friendly food.
Reason #1 – Lemons Are Very Low in Carbs, Sugar
When following any sort of diet, it’s hard to kick sugar, especially in the form of sweet drinks. So many people, love drinking soda and juices. Neither of those is keto-friendly, and drinking water is encouraged instead.
After a while, it can be difficult to drink copious amounts of plain water each day. Luckily, there are ways to spritz up your water when you’re on a keto diet. One of those ways is by using lemon. One lemon wedge has roughly .5 grams of carbs and only .2 grams of sugar.
Reason #2 – Lemons and pH Levels
When you’re following the keto diet, you want your body to be the healthiest it can be. Therefore, you need to be mindful of your pH levels.
Your body should have a level that is at least 7.35 in order to maintain proper functioning of your cells. Lemons are incredibly acidic. They contain two acids – citric acid and ascorbic acid.
Citric acid acts as an antioxidant which helps with heart health and cancer prevention. It also helps balance out your body when you eat too many processed foods.
For some, the keto diet is looked at as a detox because it’s getting rid of all that junk food, and helping you make healthier choices. The citric acid can help your body work more efficiently.
Ascorbic acid, also known as Vitamin C, in lemons is also important because it helps to repair body tissues. Ascorbic acid helps the body form collagen which is crucial for healthy hair, skin, and nails. It also helps your body absorb iron and boosts your immune system.
Reason #3 – Lemons are Important for Heart Health
When you’re following the keto diet, you want to consume enough vegetables in order to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Fruits also give the same benefit but many of them are off-limits on keto because of the amount of carbs and sugar they contain. Lemons, however, are a fruit that won’t kick you out of ketosis and offer many benefits.
When you’re on the keto diet, you want to make sure you’re getting enough fiber in order to maintain proper gut health. The fiber and plant compounds that compose a lemon have been found to lower some risk factors for heart disease, research has found.
Lemons have also been found to reduce cholesterol levels. When following a keto diet, many people find themselves with high cholesterol levels because of the increased consumption of fats.
Lemons can help reduce those levels thanks to the compounds hesperidin and diosmin.
Reason #4 – Lemons Can Help with Weight Loss
When a person transitions to a keto diet, they sometimes find themselves hungrier than normal. That’s because many people are used to filling up on empty carbs from breads and pastas.
Lemons have been known to help a person feel fuller. That’s because lemons contain pectin fiber which expands in the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer amounts of time.
That’s why so many people recommend eating a lemon or drinking a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon before every meal. It can help prevent you from overeating.
When you’re on a keto diet, you want to be mindful of how much you’re eating as well as what you’re eating. The lemon compounds may also aid in weight loss.
Reason #5 – Lemons are Versatile When It Comes to Flavoring
If you’re following a keto diet, it can be hard to find seasoning and flavoring for food because a lot of what’s available contains sugar, high amounts of carbs, and other additives that aren’t good for you.
That’s why a slice of lemon can go a long way. If you’re craving a sugary drink, you can have a hot cup of tea with lemon or a cold glass of water with a squeeze of lemon.
If you’re out to eat at a restaurant, you might find that almost all of their dressings are high in sugar and carbs. If you need an alternative option, you can squeeze lemons on your salad in order to make a tangy dressing. If you’re eating fish, a squeeze of lemon is the perfect compliment.
Reason #6 – Lemons Can Protect Against Anemia
When you’re following a keto diet, you want to consume a moderate amount of protein. It’s sometimes difficult for those who have been used to having meat with every meal.
When you transition to a lower amount, it can put you at risk for anemia which is an iron deficiency.
Lemons not only contain iron, but they also help improve your body’s absorption of iron from other plants you consume. It’s harder for the body to absorb iron from plants than meat, and that’s where lemons come in to help.
Overall, lemons should be a staple in almost any diet. They are great for adding flavoring to a variety of meals and drinks.
They won’t kick you out of ketosis because they are low in carbs and high in fibers. Most importantly, lemons offer a variety of health benefits due to their compounds.
There has been research to show that they lower cancer risks, are heart-healthy, and improve gut health.
For those looking to lose weight and get healthier on the keto diet, lemons have been known to aid in weight loss and improve digestive health thanks to the pectin, fiber, and compounds found in them.