Fruits are one of the oldest forms of food known to man. Fresh and dry fruits are the natural staple food of human. They contain substantial quantities of essential nutrients in a rational proportion. They are excellent sources of minerals, vitamins and enzymes. They are easily digested and exercise a cleansing effect on the blood and the digestive tract. Fresh and dry fruits are thus not only a good food but also a good medicine.the fibrous matter in fruits, cellulose, aids in the smooth passage of the food in the digestive tract and easy bowel action. the sugars and organic acids contained in fruits also increase their laxative effect. hence, regular use of fruits prevents and cures constipation.Fruits, as dependable sources of vitamins, exert a tonic effect in the body. Guavas, apples and citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges, are particularly valuable sources of vitamin C. these fruits are usually eaten fresh and raw, thus making the vitamins fully available to us. Fruits are highly beneficial in maintaining acid-alkaline balance in the body. They neutralise the toxic condition of the body resulting from excessive intake of acid-forming foods and restore its alkalinity. They help clear the system of morbid waste and cater to the body’s requirement of natural sugar, vitamins and minerals.In the case of the all-fruit diet, one should take three meals a day of fresh, ripe juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, peaches, melon or any other juicy fruit in season. Banana; should, however, not be taken, nor should any other foodstuff be added to the fruit diet. For drinks, plain water or unsweetened lemon water may be taken.
THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN C IN THE BODY:Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of different parts of your body. From the brain, spleen, thyroid, lungs till pancreas, kidney and so on, most vital organs of your body demand for this vitamin. Vitamin C is one of the most important of all vitamins. it plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. Antioxidants act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vitamin C has also been found by scientists to be an effective antiviral agent. Adults need 60 milligrams of Vitamin C per day; pregnant women need 70 mg while lactating women need 95 milligrams of vitamin C per day. Children need between 45 and 50 mgLemon juice is the best drink to quench your thirst in summers. but do you know how effective and powerful it is? it lets you to get relief of many diseases to a certain level. Lemon juice is actually a rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is the most common vitamin for good health. Scurvy is the very disease easily seen in your mouth and face when your body lacks in Vitamin C. if you see that your gums are becoming weaker and also bleeding, may be you are suffering from the preliminary stages of scurvy. some other symptoms of scurvy are frail bones, getting easily bruised etc. the most important function of this vitamin is building the tissues and keeping them strong and at the same time it also fortifies your immune system. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and cannot be stored by your body. the water soluble vitamins should be replaced each and every day in your body. otherwise there are high chances of vitamin deficiency in your body. Vitamin C also helps you to reduce the stress level. another usage of vitamin C keeps your skin healthy and smooth and gives you a younger look. it is the main source to form collagen in your body. Collagen is the basis of your tissues. Collagens are needed for the formation of the heart, tendon, skin, bones, teeth etc. another reason behind the importance of vitamin C is that it helps your body to absorb the required amount of iron from the natural foods. the greatest sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits and also their juices. these citrus fruits include lemon, oranges, strawberries, peaches, bananas, grape fruits etc. a huge variety of some other foods are also there such as cabbages, tomatoes, leaf lettuce, potatoes, broccolis and so on. anything in excess is also harmful. the same rule applies for consumption of vitamin C. too much intake of vitamin C is also bad for your health. Large doses of this vitamin may lead you to develop various diseases like diarrhea and such other problems. again, if you are prone to develop stones in your kidney, you should avoid large doses of vitamin C.
USE LEMON JUICE AS a GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMIN CLemon Juice and Digestion: Lemon juice added to a glass of water can be sipped throughout a meal to help the stomach’s digestive ability by adding to the digestive juices and acid. This is important because some people have the inability to completely digest their food before it is released into the intestine. This syndrome is sometimes called a leaky gut. these undigested particles end up in the blood stream. the liver sees them as contaminates, food particles, even minute particles should not be in the bloodstream. the liver filters them out which improves the digestion process relieving the liver of the filtering load.Lemon Juice and Gallstones: Lemon juice is also used as part of a cleansing process to rid the body of gallstones. a gallstone is calcified bile usually surrounding a parasite or bacteria, in an attempt to destroy the bacteria. Unfortunately, the body has a difficult time removing the gallstones. Gallstones are porous and provide nesting places for further infection, compounding the problem.Lemon Juice and your Liver:the liver cleansing process consists of lemon juice mixed with olive oil and Epsom salts. This is taken at specified times during the day and evening of treatment. a non-fat diet is prescribed for the day before cleansing. because the bile isn’t being used to breakdown the fat it will build up. the bile then builds up adding pressure to push the stones out of the gallbladder. Lemon juice has another beneficial use to the liver. it is high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. When the liver removes certain contaminants from the blood stream it converts them to free radicals. Antioxidants neutralise the effects of the free radicals.Using lemon for high blood pressure: Lemon has special virtues which can strengthen the heart. Its regular use makes the blood arteries flexible and soft and they lose their stiffness. Therefore, lemon is beneficial for patients of hypertension. the heart remains strong till old age and there is no risk for heart failure. Whatever the type of blood pressure, taking lemon in water several times a day is-useful. In the morning, it is beneficial to take lemon juice in warm water. Note: you must not take lemon juice concentrate because it can damage your teeth. Always mix it with water.
PLEASE NOTE THAT LEMONS ARE GOOD FOR ALL BLOOD TYPES. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO HAVE 90% OF FAMILIES IN SWAZILAND WITH ONE LEMON TREE IN THE YARD