One of the most cultivated and used citrus fruits in the kitchen is the lemon. It is used for many recipes, cakes, cookies, juices, etc. Surely you’ve all used it on one occasion, not even to add some of its juice to Roman squid. Despite being so popular, many people ask themselves the following question: Is the lemon a fruit?
This doubt arises on several occasions, and not only with lemon. That is why we are going to explain to you in this article what is considered a fruit and whether the lemon is one or not. So, if you want to get out of doubt, I recommend that you continue reading.
Contents
What are fruits and how are they classified?
Before answering the question of whether lemon is a fruit or not, we will first explain what fruits are and how they are classified. When we speak of the fruit of a plant, we refer to edible fruits obtained from certain vegetables, both cultivated and wild. It is usually eaten as a dessert and some can be served fresh or cooked. The fruits are usually eaten when ripe. In addition, jellies, juices and jams can be made with them.
The nutritional value of fruits should be highlighted. Its percentage of water is very high, and can reach up to 95%. Therefore, it is not surprising that they have few calories, which makes them great allies for losing weight. Also, yesThey are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Specifying a little more about the vitamins that fruits contain, it should be noted that they offer two kinds of different of the same :
- Vitamin A: It is mainly found in kiwis and strawberries.
- Vitamin C: It predominates in peaches and plums.
While it is true that fruits stand out above all for their high vitamin content, it should not be forgotten that they also offer other important components for our health, such as fibre, carbohydrates, proteins and flavourings.
classification of fruits
When it comes to classifying fruits, we can do it in different ways. One of the most common is because of its flavor:
- Sour fruits: On the nutritional level, it should be noted that they help to lower the level of uric acid and cholesterol Examples: Eggplant, chayote, guava, orange, cucumber, pineapple, grape and certain varieties of apple.
- Semi-acid fruits: They are distinguished by their richness in proteins whose biological value is high Examples: Strawberry, guava, lime, mandarin, mango, peanut, cashew nut, peach and tomato.
- Sweet fruit: Candies are more compatible with each other. From a nutritional point of view, they are distinguished by their richness in vitamins and minerals. Of course, they are not compatible with acidic or neutral fruits Examples: Apricot, cherry, custard apple, dates, pomegranate, currant, soursop, fig, melon, papaya, pear, pitahaya, watermelon, sapodilla and certain varieties of plums, guava , apple, loquat and grape.
- Neutral fruits: They are the richest in essential nutrients for our body, such as minerals, vitamins, proteins and trace elements. Examples: avocado, almond, hazelnut, peanut, chestnut, coconut, macadamia and walnut.
We can also distinguish different types of fruits according to its seeds:
- Stone or stone fruits: They have a hard shell and their seeds are usually large. An example would be the quince.
- Pome fruits: It has several small seeds. Among them are apples and pears.
- Grain fruits: They have many tiny seeds, like the fig.
Then we can also distinguish between dried fruits and fresh fruits. The first is subjected to a drying process and is consumed several months after harvest. On the other hand, the fresh is consumed immediately, or after a few days of its harvest.
we can’t forget the fruits of the forest. The fruits that belong to this group are those that are small and that, in addition to being cultivated, also usually grow on wild shrubs. Examples of this type of fruit are blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
Fruits and their importance in the diet
As we have already mentioned above, Fruits are foods that are very rich in various components that are important for our body. In addition, because of their high water content, they contain very few calories, which is advantageous if you want to lose weight. Of course, don’t overdo it, excess is never good. Among the most recommended fruits if we want to lose weight, we find apples, pineapples, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, melon, pear and watermelon.
While it is true that fruit is excellent for losing weight, it is also important to consume it if this is not our goal. It is a fundamental food for a balanced diet. Its daily intake brings us the mineral salts, fibers, vitamins and antioxidants necessary for the good health of our body. In addition, the fruit promotes the elimination of toxins.
Lemon: Fruit or not?
Now that we know what fruit is, let’s answer the big question: is lemon a fruit? The answer is yes. Lemon is a small, yellow and acidic citrus fruit. It is a popular source of citric acid and ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C.
He is part of the species Citrus lemonbelonging to the genus Citrus who in turn is related to the Rutaceae. Lemon is an oval fruit that can reach a length of between seven and twelve centimeters. Its color is yellow and It has glands that possess essential oils. As for the pulp, it is divided into segments, which contain the sour juice. Depending on the lemon variety, small, slightly round, slightly pointed seeds can be found inside.
Lemon juice is widely used to add flavor to foods and drinks, and is used to prevent scurvy. Also, lemon oil is used for aromatherapy. This fragrant liquid is obtained by extracting it from the rind of the fruit. Lemon is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to make various medicines and at home as a natural and home remedy.
properties of lemon
Why is lemon used so much? It’s not just because of its flavor, but because this fruit It also has several very beneficial properties for our body. We will comment on them below:
- Rich in minerals and vitamins: Lemon contains high levels of vitamins B and C and certain minerals such as calcium, selenium, iron, magnesium and potassium. While the vitamins that this fruit provides help the proper functioning of blood vessels and the nervous system, the minerals promote the strengthening of bones and the production of collagen.
- Promotes digestion: Despite having a very high acid content, lemon really aids digestion. Whether taken alone or with other foods, this fruit will benefit the process that our body performs for digestion.
- Rich in antioxidants: There’s a reason lemons are so widely used in so-called detox diets. This fruit helps detoxify the body by eliminating toxins. In addition, its antioxidant properties also promote the prevention of premature aging.
- Helps prevent anemia: Thanks to its richness in vitamin C, lemon helps to fight against exhaustion, anemia and colds. In addition, this vitamin helps in the creation and better absorption of iron from plant foods. It should also be noted that vitamin C helps our body’s defenses.
- Increased liver protection: As lemon stimulates bile secretions, its consumption helps the liver to perform its functions.
- It lowers cholesterol levels: Due to its low fat and calorie content, lemon is an ideal ally for reducing triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood.
- Metabolize fat faster: Since lemon helps synthesize and digest fats in the body, it is ideal for weight loss diets or to prevent overweight.
Other Benefits of Lemon
Apart from the properties we mentioned above that are beneficial for our body, lemon also offers other benefits for various uses. These are the following:
- It’s a aromatizer great for our home.
- can be used as disinfectant. In fact, there are many cleaning products that contain lemon.
- Can be used as a natural insecticide.
- lemon is a natural scrub excellent for the skin.
- Also related to the skin, this fruit helps reduce blemishes and fight acne.
I hope it has already become clear to you that lemon is a fruit and why. Without a doubt, it is a very good option to grow at home, as it is used quite frequently. If you want to know more about the subject, you can read more about lemon tree care.