Is lemon a fruit?

Lemon is widely used culinary

One of the most cultivated and used citrus fruits at a culinary level is the lemon. It is used for many recipes, cakes, biscuits, juices, etc. Surely all of you have used it on some occasion, not even to add a little of its juice to the Roman squid. Despite being so popular, many people ask themselves the following question: Is lemon a fruit?

This doubt arises on several occasions, and not only with the lemon. That is why we will explain 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.

What are fruits and how are they classified?

Fruits can be classified in different ways

Before answering the question of whether the 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 the edible fruit that is 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 once they are ripe. In addition, jellies, juices and jams can be made with them.

The nutritional value of fruits must 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 to lose weight. Also, yesThey are rich in minerals and vitamins.

Specifying a little more on the subject of the vitamins that fruits contain, it should be noted that they offer two kinds of different from the same:

  • Vitamin A: It is mostly found in kiwis and strawberries.
  • Vitamin C: It predominates in peaches and plums.

Although it is true that fruits stand out especially for their high content of vitamins, we must not forget that they also offer other important components for our health, such as fiber, carbohydrates, proteins and aromas.

fruit classification

When it comes to classifying fruits, we can do them in different ways. One of the most common is because of its flavor:

We can also distinguish different types of fruits according to its seeds:

  • Stone or stone fruits: They have a hard shell and their seed is usually large. An example would be the quince.
  • Pip fruits: It has several small sized seeds. Among them are apples and pears.
  • Grain fruits: They have numerous tiny seeds, such as the fig.

Then we can also distinguish between dried fruit and fresh fruit. The first is subjected to a drying process and is consumed several months after harvest. On the other hand, the fresh one is consumed immediately, or after a few days from its harvest.

We can not forget the berries. The fruits that belong to this group are those that are small and that, apart from being cultivated, also usually grow on wild bushes. Among these types of fruits are blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, for example.

Fruit and its importance in the diet

Fruits are essential in our diet

As we mentioned earlier, Fruits are foods that are very rich in various important components for our body. In addition, due to their high water content, they have very few calories, which is advantageous if we want to lose weight. Of course, do not go overboard, excesses are never good. Among the most advisable fruits if we want to lose weight are apples, pineapple, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, melon, pear and watermelon.

While it is true that fruit is great 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 provides us with mineral salts, fiber, vitamins and antioxidants necessary for good health of our body. In addition, the fruit favors the elimination of toxins.

Lemon: Fruit or not?

Lemon is a citrus fruit

Now that we know what fruits are, let's answer the big question: Is lemon a fruit? The answer is yes. Lemon is a small, yellow, acidic citrus fruit. It is a highly valued source of citric acid and ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C.

It is part of the species Citrus limonum, belonging to the genus Citrus which in turn is from the family of the Rutaceae. The 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. Regarding the pulp, it is divided into segments, which contain the acidic juice. Depending on the variety of lemon, inside we can find small seeds that are slightly round and slightly pointed.

Lemon juice is widely used to add flavor to both foods and beverages, and is used to prevent scurvy. Also, lemon oil is used for aromatherapy. This perfumed liquid is obtained by extracting it from the peel of the fruit. Lemon is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to make various medicines and at home as a natural and home remedy.

lemon properties

Why is lemon used so much? It is not only because of its flavor, but because this fruit It also has several properties that are very beneficial for our body. We are going to comment on them below:

  • Rich in minerals and vitamins: Lemon contains high levels of vitamins B and C and some minerals such as calcium, selenium, iron, magnesium and potassium. While the vitamins that this fruit provides help the proper functioning of the blood vessels and the nervous system, the minerals favor the strengthening of the bones and the production of collagen.
  • It promotes digestion: Despite having a very high acid content, lemon really promotes digestion. Whether taken alone or with other foods, this fruit will benefit the process that our body performs for digestion.
  • Rich in antioxidants: There is a reason why lemon is so widely used in so-called detox diets. This fruit helps detoxify the body by eliminating toxins. In addition, its antioxidant properties also favor the prevention of premature aging.
  • Helps prevent anemia: Thanks to its high levels of vitamin C, lemon helps fight exhaustion, anemia and colds. In addition, this vitamin helps 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: Since lemon stimulates bile secretions, its intake helps the liver to carry out its functions.
  • It reduces the level of cholesterol: 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 to synthesize and digest fats in the body, it is great for weight loss diets or to prevent overweight.

Other benefits of lemon

Lemon helps detoxify the body

Apart from the properties that we have mentioned above that are beneficial for our body, lemon also offers other benefits for various uses. The new options 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 some lemon.
  • Can be used as a natural insecticide.
  • lemon is a natural exfoliant excellent for the skin.
  • Also related to the skin, this fruit helps reduce blemishes and fight acne.

I hope that 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, since it is used quite frequently. If you want to know more about the subject, here you can find out more about the lemon tree care.


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