Eat Well
Article

Unleash the power of lemons Not only do lemons taste great with gin and tonic, they can also work wonders for your health. If you don't already incorporate them in your diet, you'll be racing to the supermarket by the time you have finished reading this.

Get your day off to a good start by enjoying a glass of warm water and lemon as soon as you wake up. This helps to improve your digestive system, flush out toxins and aid the absorption of nutrients. Rich in citric acid, they stimulate the stomach juices and get things working as they should. The fruit also prevents constipation, reduces the impact of food on your blood sugar levels and provides your metabolism with a boost.

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, which wards off colds and is great for the skin. What's more, they cost pennies to buy and taste fantastic in cooking too. If you don't like the idea of drinking warm water and juice, then why not make lemon ice cubes? This is also a great way to sneak some lemon goodness into your children's diet. Alternatively, you could use it as an accompaniment to fish and chicken dishes, squeeze it on your potato salad or make dressings and sauces from it. Lemon peel is a rich source of fibre, so next time you bake - get sprinkling.

The fruit stays fresh for around eight days when kept at room temperature and can also be frozen. If you want to get a small amount of juice without cutting into the lemon, then skewer some holes in the side and squeeze. Remember to buy unwaxed lemons and wash them thoroughly if you plan to use the peel in cooking.

As if all that isn't enough, a little lemon juice can also be used during shampooing to remove product build-up from your hair. In addition, it can be dried and placed in potpourri mixtures, used as a stain remover for the skin and to clean with around the home. It's also a powerful antiseptic and can be used to take the sting out of insect bites.