As many of you know, berries are one of my favorite fruits to eat. I love eating them in season and baking with them! They’re delicious plain or mixed into oatmeal, yogurt, or other foods.
They’re also known for their health benefits, which is probably why berry compartments have become very popular at grocery stores.
A few years back, it was strawberry milk that people were drinking. Now, there are lots of different beverages with strawberries in them- most notably smoothies.
Strawberry milk is no longer the only drink option that includes your daily dose of vitamin D and calcium. In fact, some studies show that it may be harmful if consumed in large amounts.
That’s why I’m sharing my knowledge about lemon seeds today! I’ll tell you how to easily get those nutrients by just including them in what you eat.
There are actually several recipes that include these seeds, so let me share two of my favorites with you here. Both of these recipes can be made right away, and they’re good for you.
Does it have any benefits?
Recent studies show that lemon seeds may help keep your teeth white. When baking with citrus, be sure to remove those thin layers of skin that cover the fruit’s seeds.
These extra bits of flesh can contribute negatively to health when consumed. However, if you dry and grind the seeds, then apply some lemon oil (the liquid part) onto your toothbrush, they may work as a natural bleach for the mouth.
That is why there are many people who eat the seeds after squeezing all the juice out of the whole lemons they use in their recipes. It is totally okay to do so! Just make sure to rinse well afterwards or risk ingesting some of the trace amounts of food dye used to colorize them.
Overall, although not ideal, eating too much of the citrus peel layer will still be less harmful than eating the seed, but only if you are very careful about how much you consume.
Does it have any negative effects?
Although not many people eat lemon seeds, there are some who do! Some say that they taste better than dried out skin of the lemons you would normally throw away. Others say that they may help reduce cavities by reducing acidity in your mouth.
However, neither of these things has been confirmed to be true. There is no proof that eating lemon seed will make your teeth more acidic or prevent dental decay. It is also important to remember that although few people enjoy eating them, most people are naturally exposed to lemon seeds when chewing gum or using toothpaste that contains them.
Many people start swallowing those bits too quickly which could pose a risk for choking. Because lemon seeds can pass through digestion relatively easily, individuals with gastrointestinal (GI) issues such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) might experience intestinal inflammation or discomfort after ingesting them.
Is it bad to eat too many?
As mentioned earlier, lemon seeds are not part of the culinary spectrum for healthy eating. They are however, rich in an anticancer compound called limonene that can help boost your immune system and aid in weight loss.
Limonene is naturally occurring oil found in citrus fruits such as lemons. It functions similarly to other oils in our bodies, acting as a precursor to another chemical we call beta-carotene.
When consumed along with alpha-carotene (another carotenoid that comes from vegetables like carrots) they combine to create vitamin A. Vitamin A helps keep your skin strong and functioning, aids in digestion, and may even play a role in lowering cholesterol.
It has also been linked to reducing inflammation and helping prevent cancer. Medical studies show that limonene may reduce the risk of some types of cancers, including those of the stomach, colon, breast, and prostate.
What should I eat them in?
While most people can consume lemon seeds, it is important to know what type of food you are eating them for and how to ingest them. If swallowing the whole seed doesn’t work, try rubbing the powder onto your tongue or sucking out the juice.
Lemon seeds contain an oil that acts as a natural dyeing agent. This makes it possible to color various foods with them by either adding them directly to the recipe or using their peelings.
Some recipes call for dried lemons which have gone through a process where their oils are extracted and then mixed into other products. These include cleaning wipes and beauty items like face masks and shampoo bars.
Certain types of foods cannot hold any trace amounts of acidity so if you add too many seeds to a meal, those may not agree with you. For example, someone who is sensitive to acidic beverages might drink one and get sick. People with digestive issues such as gastritis could experience stomach pain after consuming enough lemon seeds.
Is it bad to swallow?
Although eating lemon seeds is not totally uncommon, most people agree that swallowing them is not advised. When biting into a piece of food containing these seeds, you can sometimes find one or several of the seeds in your mouth.
When this happens, there are some things you should do. First, make sure to wash your hands very well because rubbing your teeth may cause the seed to get stuck in your oral cavity, requiring medical attention.
Second, expect more saliva to form as you try to remove the remaining bits. Make sure to use enough saliva so that you don’t have trouble breathing!
Third, if possible, try to push the rest of the seeds down your throat. If necessary, use your hand to help facilitate this process.
Are there any benefits?
Recent studies have suggested that lemon seeds may help improve your overall health and wellness. These studies suggest that eating one tablespoon of dried lemon seed powder every day is linked to reduced risk of heart disease, increased bone density, improved skin quality, and even weight loss.
Lemon seeds are not only delicious, but they can be made into a tea or dry toast like item. They also do not require cooking!
There you have it — two great reasons to include them in your daily diet!
It is important to note though, that while some studies show possible benefits from lemon seeds, most people cannot tolerate their intake without experiencing stomach pain.
What are the dangers?
There have been very few reports of serious health problems due to lemon seeds. However, you should still be wary of consuming large amounts of them given that they contain some amount of acid. Too much acid can do more harm than good so please read our tips here for how to properly dispose of your dried citrus waste!
Lemon seeds usually sprout around six months after drying. During this time frame, there is typically an alkali layer which contains some trace minerals such as potassium and sodium. This layer helps protect the embryo from exposure to air, helping it preserve its integrity until it’s able to grow into a plant.
However, when eating enough lemons to dry down these layers, then processing and cooking those seeds may take away too much of the protective element.
Can I get cancer from eating lemon seeds?
Although eating one or two of these a week may be okay, it is important to know that swallowing large amounts of lemon seeds could pose some health risks.
Certain components in lemon seeds can irritate your stomach or intestines, which can cause inflammation. If you are concerned about potential health issues, we recommend baking them into a product and then chewing this “batter”.
You would need to eat several grams (that’s a few spoonfuls) every day to consume enough baked lemon powder to potentially have an effect, but definitely not enough to experience any unpleasantness.
