Benefits, Uses and Safety of Eating Lemon Seeds

Lemon Seeds - Safety, Nutrients and Uses

Lemons are one of the most widely used citrus fruits, adding flavor and zest to a variety dishes and drinks. While the juice, pulp and zest are all heavily utilized, many people wonder if the seeds hidden inside lemons also offer any health or culinary benefits when eaten.

Are Lemon Seeds Safe to Eat?

Most lemon seeds are safe to swallow accidentally or purposely in small occasional quantities. The seeds contain fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. However, chewing larger quantities of seeds could damage teeth over time due to their hardness.

Nutritional Value

Lemon seeds are highly nutritious, rich in fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron and copper. They also contain plant compounds like limonoids and flavonoids with health protective properties.

Benefits of Eating Lemon Seeds

Some potential benefits of consuming lemon seeds include:

• Fiber for healthy digestion
• Vitamin C helps immunity
• Minerals strengthen bones, nerves and metabolism
• Antioxidants fight inflammation and cell damage
• Plants compounds have anticancer properties

Thus, eating a few lemon seeds seems to provide nutrient gain without any major hazard for most people.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Eating Lemon Seeds?

Citrus Seed Toxicity

While tolerable in small doses, larger quantities of citrus seeds could pose some risks. Citrus seeds contain narcotic-like compounds that block nerve signals in high amounts causing seizures, arrhythmias and even paralysis or death in extreme overdose.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Swallowing a huge number of seeds may cause intestinal, bowel or digestive problems as they pass undigested down the gut due to their tough coat. Fewer than 10 seeds are unlikely to cause issues.

Dental Damage Risk

The extremely hard outer coat of lemon seeds can also damage tooth enamel and existing dental restorations over time if excessively chewed. So restraint is required.

Thus, while lemon seeds are relatively safe in tiny quantities, a high consumption could endanger health in those sensitive or allergic to citrus compounds.

How to Eat Lemon Seeds - Tips and Serving Suggestions

Extracting Seeds

The small white seeds are embedded within segments of fresh lemons. They can be easily extracted by squeezing cut halves and picking out seeds, aided with a toothpick if required. Another way is straining lemon juice through a sieve that collects seeds if one prefers seedless juice.

Eating Seeds Directly

For those wondering if lemon seeds taste good, their flavor is quite bitter, tart and acidic just like lemon rind or pith due to high citric acid content. Most find seeds too sour for simply eating by spoonfuls.

Cooking with Lemon Seeds

The simplest way to incorporate lemon seeds into diet is through dishes and drinks using fresh lemon juice with seeds. Blended into smoothies, stir fries, curries or as lemonade infusion along with pulp, seeds add fiber and nutrients.

Seed Infused Oil, Tea and Garnish

Steeping seeds in warm olive oil for few weeks draws out antioxidants into vitamin-rich oil for stir fries. Similarly, a seeds infused citrusy tea or lemon flavored garnish brings nutritional variety.

Thus, getting creative with seeds during cooking allows gaining their benefits easily without overconsumption risks.

Sprouting Lemon Seeds

Like most seeds, lemon seeds can also be sprouted by rinsing twice daily in water post removing coat. These vitamin and mineral rich sprouts lend a tangy flavor to salads, stir fries and sandwiches too.

Selection, Storage and Handling

Choosing Lemons with Seeds

When shopping for lemons to extract seeds, select those feeling heavy for size with smooth, thin peel. Avoid wrinkled lemons or with soft spots.

Storing Seeds

For later use, extracted seeds should be dried well and stored in air-tight jars in refrigerator for few months. Fermentation risk exists in warm, humid environments.

Discarding Used Seeds

To avoid accidentally using rancid seeds, it is best to discard post extraction by composting. Rinse utensils well to remove sticky residue before next usage.

Do Lemon Seeds Offer Any Other Uses?

Besides nutritional value, lemon seeds also provide surprising health, beauty, cleaning benefits as below:

medicine

Dried powdered seeds traditionally used in folk remedy for relief from issues like pain, infections, cold, inflammation or high blood pressure though clinical trials lacking currently.

Skin and Hair Care

Antioxidants from seeds aid collagen production reducing fine lines and acne when applied on skin. Also adds shine to hair by strengthening hair proteins and follicle health.

Natural Cleaning Agent

Hard lemon seeds work as excellent natural scrubber for dishes, surfaces, floors etc while also disinfecting and deodorizing with their citrusy fragrance.

Repelling Rodents/Cats

The strong odor released on rubbing lemon seeds peels act as effective repellent for mice, rats and cats around the house.

With so many uses beyond nutrition, lemon seeds prove to be highly versatile and valuable.

Conclusion

In summary, the seeds present within lemons offer concentrated source of nutrients like vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals along with fiber and plant compounds. Though risks exist with excess quantities, occasional consumption provides benefits as part of balanced diet. The seeds also provide uses for health, beauty, cleaning and repelling rodents.

So next time you squeeze a lemon for drinks or cooking, save those tiny seeds for later. Rinse and dry to sprinkle a few over next meal or steep them for infused oil/tea. With a burst of nutrients and zesty flavor, even the smallest part of a lemon proves valuable.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.