Lemons: Pretty metabolism boosters

Lemons are a versatile ingredient that can not only enhance your favorite dishes but are also credited with fighting cancer, soothing inflammation, stimulating digestion and boosting your immune system. My clients love to add lemon to their water, as well as their meals, on any phase of the Fast Metabolism Diet for an extra metabolic boost.

 

Most researchers credit lemon’s cancer-fighting benefits to the citrus flavonones that you’ll also find in limes. One flavonone in particular, hesperidin, shows an amazing range of benefits for the human body: From inhibiting tumors to slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

And if your body’s pH is too acidic, try drinking lemon tea, or adding some lemon juice to your water every morning. Even though lemon juice is sour and acidic, its overall effect once inside your body is alkalizing. This is especially helpful during Phase 2 when you’re consuming a higher portion of acidic animal proteins.

Buying the best lemons

The very best lemons have thin, bright yellow skins. The heavier the lemon feels for its size, the juicier it’ll be. If you’re planning to use the zest (the flavorful outer part of the peel), dodge the wax coatings that show up on so much supermarket fruit by shopping for organic lemons only.

Lemons will last for about a week on the counter or a month in the refrigerator; you can also freeze lemon juice, or refrigerate the grated zest on its own to make it last longer.

Using lemons

My clients love the Fast Metabolism Diet-approved recipes that make great use of lemons, including Basic Baked Chicken with Lemon and Herbs, and Quick Baked Fish with Meyer Lemon.

And don’t forget to use a squeeze of lemon to cut the bitterness of dark, leafy greens in smoothies, or squeeze it over your salad with a bit of olive oil and spices for a delicious, tangy Phase 3 salad dressing.

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