What Ions Are Present in Lemon Juice?

One of the earliest depictions of the lemon in art comes from ancient Rome. Lemons, however, are thought to have arisen in southeast Asia at a much earlier date. Today, lemon juice is consumed all over the world, coveted for its flavor, medicinal benefits and its high vitamin C and potassium content. Lemon juice also contains negative ions, which have become known for their health benefits.

History

• Lemons become popular in modern day history as an important preventative against scurvy. On long sea voyages, sailors would often succumb to scurvy due to a lack of vitamin C in their diet. During the 1600s, physicians became aware that if sailors took a daily dose of lemon juice, they were less likely to develop the debilitating illness. Thus, it became English law that each ship must carry enough lemon, or its juice, so that each sailor could consume one ounce daily. Lemons became popular in the United States in the mid-1800s when lemons were found to grow well in California. Today, lemon juice is used as a juice for drink products.

Negative Ions

• Negative ions, or anions, are molecules that carry a negative charge. Lemon is one of the only natural resources that holds a negative atomic charge. Negative ions present in lemon juice react with positive ions present in the blood in order to neutralize it. When there is a high level of positive ions in the blood, it leads to a condition known as acidification. This can cause metabolism to become slower and more inefficient, leading to weight gain and a loss of immunity and resistance to disease.

Benefits

• When lemon juice is taken into the body diluted with distilled water (not regular water, as this will react with the negative ions and neutralize them), it benefits the body in several ways. It strengthens the function of the autonomic nerves, reinforces collagen, an important component of skin tissue, improves metabolism by improving the permeability of the cells prototype plasma membranes, and generally strengthens the body's immune system.

Dosage

• Lemon juice can be safely consumed at almost any dosage, however, clinical information is limited. It is safe to take 120mL of lemon juice daily diluted in distilled water in order to increase citrate levels and maintain good health. It is not recommended to take lemon juice undiluted as its acidic nature can damage the enamel on the teeth. Taking lemon juice in distilled water with a small amount of honey on an empty stomach first thing in the morning can help you to take advantage of the healing power of its negative ions.