Lemon flour, a powder made from the fruit’s peel, is a functional food rich in vitamin C and d-limonene. This antioxidant compound is responsible for the citrus aroma of the lemon.
Adding flour to your diet has many health benefits, from boosting immunity and preventing diseases such as infections and cancer to improving the skin’s appearance.
Another point in favour of lemon peel flour is that, as it is rich in fibre, it controls blood glucose and cholesterol, improves bowel function and increases the feeling of satiety after the meal, helping weight loss.
Notable. Learn more about this ingredient below.
Table of Contents
Health Benefits of Lemon Flour
Helps in disease prevention
Did you know that consuming lemon flour frequently can protect you from various diseases? This happens because of three main things.
First, this protection occurs because of d-limonene, which, as already mentioned, is a powerful antioxidant and is the main component of the lemon peel.
In the body, this substance works by preventing oxidative stress, that is, the degradation of cells caused by natural actions, such as the loss of oxygen.
It is essential to know that this oxidation makes the body more susceptible to various diseases, such as cardiovascular problems, chronic diseases and even cancer.
The second reason lemon peel powder prevents disease is the antimicrobial action of d-limonene, which reduces the rate of proliferation of microorganisms, especially those causing skin infections.
Finally, d-limonene can stimulate the production of antibodies, cells that act in the body’s defence and are responsible for fighting the cause of diseases.
Acts in diabetes control
We have already mentioned that the lemon rind is also very fibre-rich. The amount of them in the flour represents about 60% of the total. This means that each 100-gram serving will have 60 grams of dietary fibre. Double the daily recommendation for an adult male.
Blood glucose control stems in part from the ability of insoluble fibre to increase the time that carbohydrates pass through the intestine.
In addition, the gel formed by soluble fibres, when coming into contact with water, delays the communication of nutrients such as carbohydrates, which are transformed into sugars, with the intestinal wall that makes the absorption of nutrients.
The result is that the body consumes less sugar, causing a decrease in the level of this nutrient in the blood.
Lowers cholesterol
Do you know this action of soluble fibres in delaying the contact of specific nutrients with the intestinal mucosa? This is also true for fats and goes further, as the gel they form “grabs” on the fat and traps the nutrient.
This ” kidnapping ” results in the body not absorbing cholesterol, which goes away with the feces.
Therefore, switching to lemon flour helps reduce cholesterol in the long run. You are contributing to a decrease in the risk of developing cardiovascular and chronic diseases, such as hypertension.
Favours weight loss
If you want to lose a few pounds, lemon peel flour is the right food for you. This is thanks to the action of dietary fibres, which act by providing increased satiety.
The insoluble fibres in the lemon rind take up a lot of space in the stomach. This satisfies the body faster, making you eat less and thus ingest fewer calories.
Allied with this is that fibres do not have calories, as they are not digested and reduce caloric absorption.
Regulates the bowel
Eating lemon flour helps regulate bowel function. This also happens due to the action of dietary fibre present in the food.
They act by capturing water, thus reducing the dryness of feces. And the gel formed by it ferments and favours the proliferation of intestinal flora, created by beneficial bacteria for the body and essential for the proper functioning of the region.
Finally, the fibres expand the walls of the intestine, facilitating the circulation of the fecal bolus and consuming the lemon peel guarantees regular visits to the bathroom.
It is rich in nutrients.
In addition to dietary fibre, each portion of the lemon peel contains reasonable amounts of vitamins C, A, E, K and the B complex.
The fruit’s rind still has calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. Other minerals, such as sodium, zinc, phosphorus and copper, are found in smaller quantities.
Improves skin appearance
Finally, adding lemon flour to your diet can help keep your skin beautiful and youthful for longer. This is because of the large amount of vitamin C found in the supplement.
Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen. That is, its consumption stimulates the production of the substance, which is a type of protein.
This protein maintains the skin’s firmness, which diminishes over the years. It is from this natural decrease that sagging and the dreaded wrinkles appear.
Another benefit of collagen is that it improves wound healing and can be used to prevent scarring and acne blemishes.
To top it off, it also prevents sun damage to the skin, thanks to its antioxidant action, preventing the appearance of blemishes, expression lines and skin cancer.
How to do it at home?
You’ve seen the main benefits of lemon flour; the good news is that you can prepare it quickly and easily at home. You will need lemons, Sicilian or Tahiti, well-washed and preferably organic since you will consume the skin.
The next step is to remove the juice and pomace from the fruit, washing afterwards to remove any residue from the pulp. After that, leave them to dry to drain all the water.
Place the skins in a low oven until they are dry and crumbly. A golden tip is to keep the oven door ajar and stir constantly so that all sides dry evenly.
When the skins are dehydrated, remove them from the oven and let them cool. Then, blend everything in a food processor or blender, pass it through a sieve, and it is ready to be consumed.
Store the flour in an airtight glass jar in a dark, moisture-free place to keep your supplement fresh.
What is the best way to consume?
Lemon flour can be mixed with juice, milk, yogurt and even a glass of water. It can also be eaten with fruit or in daily food.
To maximize the effects of weight loss, you should consume it before the main meals without exceeding the limit of two tablespoons of flour per day.
An option for those who do not adapt to its flavour is to use it to prepare cakes and cookies. Just replace a part of the wheat flour with the corresponding part of the lemon peel, increasing the amount of fibre in the food.
Care and contraindications
Although no contraindications were found for the consumption of this supplement, it is necessary to emphasize that it is essential to be careful with consumption and avoid excesses.
An abundance of fibre intake can cause deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, as it reduces nutrient absorption.
Therefore, daily fibre consumption should not only come from lemon flour. But fresh fruits and vegetables also have several other essential nutrients.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.