Feels like a touch of summer is here when you liven up a dish with fresh lemon juice or zest. Behind lemon’s tangy reputation is a wealth of health benefits, which just might have you enjoying a little “summer” all winter long.

• Loaded with vitamin C for skin and immune system health, a whole lemon supplies about 80% of the Daily Value along with a good dose of potassium for healthy blood pressure.
• Limonene (found mostly in the skin and fuzzy white top layer around lemon sections) is a potent flavonoid that helps ward off cancer and skin damage from UV light, lessening the signs of aging.
• Lemon’s high citric acid content along with pectin (a type of soluble fiber) may aid digestion.

Uses:

Put lemon’s powers to work and add a whole (rinsed) lemon (skin and all) into a smoothie; use the juice of a lemon and zest mixed into hot water as a soothing healing drink; and add lemon juice/zest to your favorite drinks, salads, soups and even stews for healthy freshness.