Is lemon good for high blood pressure? Let’s find out

Table of Content

• Nutritional Profile of Lemon

• Benefits of Lemon for High Blood pressure

• How does Lemon lower High Blood pressure?

• How to use lemon for high blood pressure?

• How to Make Lemon Water to Lower Blood Pressure?

• What is the best time to consume lemon water for High Blood Pressure?

• What are the Risks of Overconsumption of Lemon water?

• Other Health Benefits of Lemon Water

• FAQ on Is lemon good for high blood pressure?

Nutritional Profile of Lemon

Lemon is one of the most beneficial natural ingredients which has enormous health benefits. A usual tiny fruit is known for its multiple benefits from the single antioxidant property.

Therefore it is a potential nutraceutical with reference to disease management. 

Lemon is a potential source of vitamin C with plenty of other nutrients you might not be aware of.

100g of lemon has

• Water: 89g

• Energy: 29kcal

• Protein: 1g

• Total lipid: 0.3g

• Carbohydrate: 9.3g

• Total dietary fiber: 2.8g

• Sugar: 2.5g

• Vitamin C: 53 mg

• Calcium: 26mg

• Iron: 0.6mg

• Magnesium: 8mg

• Phosphorous: 16mg

• Potassium: 138 mg

• Sodium: 2mg

• Vitamin E: 0.15mg

Benefits of Lemon for High Blood pressure

Hypertension is a major risk of cardiac disease, as it is impossible to ignore the rising numbers. By 2025 approximately 25% of 25-64-year-olds will have hypertension.

A daily intake of citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, and grapefruit has shown an effective blood-lowering potential.

According to epidemiological studies, vitamin C has been found to protect heart wall lining cells and Low-Density Lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) from oxidative stresses to reduce hypertension risks.

Lemon shows the following actions to prevent hypertension risks

Lemon improves endothelial (heart wall) functioning.

1. It acts as a potent antioxidant

It is a known antioxidant that helps with blood flow and heart health. It prevents the oxidation of fatty substances in the body commonly known as cholesterol. Cholesterol is the major risk factor that disrupts blood flow by accumulating in the blood vessels. 

Here lemon prevents cholesterol oxidation and its accumulation.

2. It boosts your immunity

One glass of lemon juice daily will improve your health and immunity. You will feel energetic, fresh, and immune to fight any infection.

Having a good immune power and a healthy heart will prevent you from many diseases.

3. Shows diuretic action

Enough amounts of lemon daily will help you to detox your body and maintain a good electrolyte balance.

It has a good amount of ascorbic acid that helps in the absorption of iron from your gut and food.

How does Lemon lower High Blood pressure?

Lemon, a representative of citrus fruits, has many bioactive components such as citric acid, polyphenol, and ascorbic acid, which contribute to our health.

One study concludes a reduction in systolic blood pressure in Japanese people after lemon ingestion.

Though a precise mechanism of how blood pressure is lowered by lemon is not known, scientists have given the most probable mechanism for this action.

The citric acid in the lemon correlates with systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and red blood cell count.

Citric acid generates calcium citrate which promotes the absorption of calcium and magnesium from food and the gut. There is a major possibility that these absorbable ions are efficiently participating in blood pressure. And hence lemon helps to secrete these ions via the kidney.

The study concludes that walking and lemon ingestion show a potential effect on lowering systolic blood pressure. Daily walking for at least 20 minutes improves blood flow and energy.

How to use lemon for high blood pressure?

There is no specific standard way of adding lemon to your diet. You can enjoy lemon as you want.

1. Simply start squeezing fresh lemon juice into your food it will add richness and flavor to your dish. 

2. Make a simple lemon drink or replace your water with lemon water. You can directly add lemon to your water bottle.

3. Drink lukewarm lemon water in the morning to detox and cleanse your gut. It helps to maintain your gut health and eliminate all the toxins and excess of ions that are the probable cause of hypertension.

4. Make a drink of lemon, garlic, and ginger. Drink 1 tbsp. of this drink daily it will help to improve your lipid profile. This will eventually lower the cholesterol buildup.

5. You can make simple yet effective shikanji/nimbu paani for a quick and fresh start. Replace sugar with honey and it will become a perfect healthy drink.

How to Make Lemon Water to Lower Blood Pressure?

Simple lemon water you can make which is very effective to lower blood pressure if you drink it on a daily basis.

Cut a fresh lemon in half and squeeze the juice out if it. Add this juice to lukewarm water, stir it nicely, and cool it down. You can also use your drinking water instead of lukewarm water.

If you like sweets add some honey to it. Adding a small amount of ginger extract will enhance the quality of the nutritional profile of your lemon water.

Drink this water on an empty stomach and feel the energy.

What is the best time to consume lemon water for High Blood Pressure?

Many studies recommend drinking water, water-based liquids between 6:00 and 12:00 which is a regular breakfast time.

Starting your day with lemon water will help to detox and potentiate the action of lemon in the body.

Scientists have observed that drinking patterns in different age groups conclude that except for children, other age groups tend to drink less after 12:00.  They prefer coffee, alcohol, sodas, etc.

Hence to get the best results out of lemon water for lowering blood pressure you should drink it in the morning.

What are the Risks of Overconsumption of Lemon water?

Anything in excess is toxic, same goes with citrus fruits though they are the most beneficial natural ingredient.

Here are 7 risks of overconsumption of lemon water you need to know.

1. Overconsumption of causes the dissolution of tooth enamel.

2. Excess of lemon water lowers the and increases acid secretion, this leads to heartburn and acidity.

3. It leads to the development of ulcers if you consume an excess of lemon.

4. Due to its diuretic action, it leads to increased urination. This will flush excess electrolyte and lead to dehydration.

5. As per the study, found in citrus fruits might be the risk of migraine.

6. Excess lemon water causes massive absorption of iron from food and the gut. A normal level needs to be maintained for blood formation and energy production.

7. Excess of iron in the body could be harmful.

Other Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Apart from its blood pressure-lowering action, lemon shows numerous health benefits-

1. Lemon is an excellent antioxidant, it gives your skin a natural glow and makes it more elastic.

2. Lemon helps to control kidney stone formation as it helps to reabsorb calcium.

3. Protect against anemia and obstructed blood flow

4. Improve your digestive health, it increases the digestive rate of starch and sugar.

5. Due to its rich source of vitamin C and antioxidant action, it helps to fight against cancer.

6. Improves your throat infection, vitamin C has the natural power of antibacterial actions that gives relief.