The Natural Fruit Company wants to let you know about all the ways you can include this citrus fruit in your diet, and in this post we are going to show you the benefits of consuming lemon juice.

Do you know how lemon juice can benefit your body?

Lemons are fruits with a high juice content and lemon juice has the same properties and nutrients as the fruit, even when once it has been squeezed. A few years ago, there was a trending idea that a lemon juice fasting diet was a good way to lose weight, but there is no scientific evidence to back up this belief. Even though the supposed ‘miracle effects’ of the lemon juice fasting diet aren’t real, we can say that regularly including it in your eating habits does have certain health benefits.

1. It aids digestion

Thanks to its high levels of soluble fibre, a nutrient which is known to improve intestinal health, drinking lemon juice is an efficient aid to your digestion.

2. It’s anti-microbial

Various scientific studies have revealed that the juice of certain citrus fruits contains anti-microbial components which help to slow the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria.

Specifically, lemon juice might contribute to the elimination of strains of bacteria and fungi such as Candida albicans.

3. It’s good for your skin

Lemon juice helps to improve the health of your skin thanks to its high vitamin C content: it can stimulate collagen synthesis and help to protect against UV rays.

Furthermore, a recent study published in Food Chemistry demonstrated that citrus-based drinks, including lemon-based ones, can help prevent the appearance of wrinkles on hairless mice, evidence which suggests that similar effects may be seen in humans.

4. It prevents illness

Recent studies have determined that citrus fruits contain bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, limonoids, coumarins, carotenoids, phenolic acids and essential oils, all of which have health benefits, helping you to prevent illnesses associated with cardiovascular and neurological inflammation.

How do you make a lemon juice drink?

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 glass of water (200 ml)
• Brown sugar or sweetener (optional)

Method

• Squeeze out the lemon juice, removing the seeds, and mix it with the glass of water.
• If you want, you can sweeten it with a little bit of brown sugar or sweetener. Stir to dissolve and enjoy!

La entrada Lemon juice: health benefits and properties se publicó primero en Bollo Naturalfruit.

What are blood or sanguinelli oranges?

The red, blood or sanguinelli orange is an exclusive product due to its colour and short season between January and April. It looks like a normal orange, albeit slightly smaller, but its secret lies within: its flesh is red in tone, like raspberry juice. This colour comes from the anthocyanins, which are pigments found in flowers and other fruits.

The characteristic colour which gives the fruit its name develops due to low temperatures as night. The skin very often develops this dark colour as well.

What do they taste like?

Blood oranges are slightly more acidic than other varieties and their flavour is more intense. They do not have many seeds, they are soft, and they are highly sought after due to their juiciness and melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Blood orange properties

• Antioxidants: these combat the aging of your skin.
• They keep cholesterol in check: favour the reduction of LDL cholesterol, i.e. ‘bad cholesterol’.
• Nutrients: they contain vitamin C, potassium and folic acid. They are also rich in minerals and trace elements such as magnesium and calcium. They contain vitamin A as well.

Blood oranges in cooking

This product, which is now a staple in the Natural Fruit’s fruit basket, is full of aromas and subtleties which captivate bakers and chefs all over the world, and we suggest that you add them to your dishes because they impart a very special flavour. They are especially good in juices, jams, jellies and ice creams, but you can also use them in salads, either in wedges or as juice in the vinaigrette.

The Natural Fruit has a very simple recipe with healthy ingredients, just for you. Here are the ingredients for our prawn and blood orange salad which serves two:

200 g of prawns

1 large avocado

2 spring onions

2 blood oranges

150 g mixed salad leaves

The juice of half a lemon

30 ml virgin olive oil

Spices to taste and a pinch of salt

• Method:

Start by boiling the prawns in a pan of salted water for about four minutes and then drain them. Let them cool down and peel them.

Wash the salad leaves.

Peal the oranges and cut them into wedges. Peel the avocado and cut it into similar sized pieces.

Dress with the oil, lemon juice, spices and salt. Enjoy!

La entrada Blood or sanguinelli oranges: properties and uses of this seasonal citrus fruit se publicó primero en Bollo Naturalfruit.