Fascinating Facts - Lemons
- Botanically, this citrus fruit belongs to the family of Rutaceae, in the genus, Citrus.
- It is the smallest among citrus fruits, nevertheless, holds more health benefiting nutrients than other larger citrus family fruits.
- The fruit is a modified berry with tough, leathery rind.
- The fruit is less in calories, carrying just 29 calories per 100g, the value being one of the lowest for the citrus fruits group.
- Lemons contains zero saturated fats or cholesterol, but are good source of dietary fiber (7.36% of RDA). Lemon is one of the very low glycemic fruits.
- Lemon's acidic taste is because of citric acid. Citric acid constitutes up to 8% in its juice.
- Lemons, like other fellow citrus fruits, are an excellent source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid); provides about 88% of daily recommended intake.
- The fruit is also a good source of B-complex vitamins such as pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish.