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Harvesting vegetables and fruits is an integral part of human life. In North African countries, the most popular homemade products are salted citrus fruits. Lemon and salt has been an important part of the country's culture for several centuries in Morocco.
Is it possible to eat lemon with salt
It turned out that if you cut a lemon and cover it with salt, the result will surpass all expectations. The Moroccan tradition of salting lemons has long gone beyond the borders of this country. The use of such a product in food, as well as adding it as a seasoning to various dishes, has become a worldwide practice. The preparation of fermented lemons has become an integral part of European Mediterranean cuisine, along with olives, pickles and capers.
Fermentation of lemons allows you to multiply their beneficial properties. By removing excess water, the substances in them become more open and active. And thanks to the large amount of salt contained in the product, they are perfectly stored.
As with other foods, excessive consumption of salted lemons can be harmful to your health. It is worth following the recommendations and restrictions. Since the activity of chemical compounds in fermented lemon is higher, the amount of product consumed in comparison with the fresh version should be 2 times lower.
Why is lemon and salt useful?
Everyone knows the healing power of lemon. These citrus fruits are a storehouse of nutrients, vitamins and chemical trace elements. Lemon has an excellent antiseptic effect, helps to strengthen the body, and helps to fight many diseases.
As for lemons with salt, such a dish helps cleanse the human circulatory system of toxins, removes harmful toxins and bacteria. Their regular use normalizes blood cholesterol levels. In addition, when used correctly, such a dish has a tonic effect and also improves metabolism in the body.
The benefits of lemon with salt for weight loss
Nutritionists are unanimous in the opinion that eating salted citrus fruits helps cleanse the body and is an excellent aid in the fight against excess weight. One of the most important aspects is the calorie content of this dish. 100 g of the product contains:
- proteins - 0.9 g;
- fats - 0.1 g;
- carbohydrates - 3 g;
- calories - 16 kcal.
Lemons with salt perfectly strengthen the body, restoring the functioning of the digestive system. A properly functioning stomach and intestines are the key to future successful weight loss. The composition of lemon contains a unique substance - polyphenol, which has properties for reducing human weight. According to reviews, lemon with salt for weight loss can give stunning results.
The most popular drink for burning fat is the following recipe: diluted in a glass of water 2 tsp. pulp of salted lemon and 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper.Such a cocktail effectively starts the process of burning excess fats in the body. This drink should be consumed every morning on an empty stomach for the greatest effect.
In addition to fat-burning cocktails, nutritionists recommend cleansing the body with water and salted lemons once every six months. To prepare it, you need to grind the whole fruit in a blender and mix the resulting gruel with 1 liter of boiled cooled water. Cleansing means that on such days, in addition to lemon water, you can only eat cereals and fruit juices.
Is lemon and salt good for blood pressure
Salted lemon is excellent for raising blood pressure. It has been scientifically established that regular use of such a product helps to normalize blood pressure in hypotensive patients. The active ingredients contained in this fruit help to strengthen blood vessels. Due to this, the restored pressure level is stabilized for a long time, allowing patients to forget about the problem.
In this case, it is worth taking seriously the issue of treating low blood pressure. Excessive consumption of fermented citrus can seriously harm people prone to hypertension and pressure surges. For the most correct restoration of the vascular system, salted lemon should be taken as prescribed by a doctor in conjunction with other medications.
Is lemon and salt eaten for colds
Salted fruit, like its fresh version, is an excellent remedy for fighting the symptoms of flu, acute respiratory infections, and colds. This product becomes most effective in combination with a small amount of red pepper. Just one slice with pepper has a warming effect on the body, dilates blood vessels. Just 2-3 slices can relieve nasal congestion.
If you grind such fruits into gruel, add a pinch of red pepper to them and pour them over with water, you will get an excellent means for washing the throat. Regular use will reduce the number of coughing fits. The mixture also helps to reduce sore throat.
Due to the high concentration of vitamin C in the composition, the fermented fruit has a tonic effect. Lemon with salt at night has a positive effect on blood vessels. In combination with taking other medications, it gives stunning results.
The benefits of salted lemons for immunity
Everyone knows the positive effect of citrus fruits on immunity. Regular consumption of food can provide the body with an adequate dose of vitamin C - the basis of good health. As you know, 100 g of lemon contains about 40% of the daily value of the substance. Therefore, in combination with the correct diet, the daily use of a quarter of the fruit is able to fill the body with the necessary elements.
The beneficial bacteria found in lemon peel act as a catalyst for beneficial properties. A slice of salted lemon for breakfast is an excellent exercise for the body and is equivalent to traditional tea with a couple of fresh slices. Salted lemon with honey is also a great way to boost immunity - this mixture is a great way to avoid colds and flu during the most dangerous periods of the year.
How to make salted lemons
According to the classic Moroccan recipe, the fruit itself, salt and bay leaf are needed to make fermented citrus fruits. On average, 5 lemons consume about 1 kg of salt. The amount of bay leaves is calculated based on the personal preferences of the cook. For the correct result, you should follow a simple instruction:
- Each lemon is cut crosswise at the base approximately 2/3 of its size.
- The incisions are filled with salt. It is best to use sea salt - it is coarser and does not contain a lot of impurities.
- Fruits with salt are transferred to a small saucepan, and then pressed with a load for stronger juice release.
- After 3-4 hours, the load is removed, the remaining salt and bay leaf are added to the pan.
- The jar is hermetically sealed and sent for ripening within a month.
Lemons prepared in this way are an excellent snack as well as a weight loss aid. At the end of fermentation, each lemon is turned into gruel, which is used in a ratio of 2 tsp. lemon for 1/4 tsp. black pepper and 1 glass of water. Taking lemon and salt throughout the month cleanses the intestines and promotes dramatic weight loss.
In addition to the traditional way of preparing citrus fruits, there are many others. Most often, these recipes for salted lemons differ in the set of spices used. The cooking process itself is identical, except for the moment of adding additional ingredients. Due to the correct bouquet of spices, the taste of such lemons with salt will be excellent. An excellent combination of citrus and spices is the following recipe:
- 8 lemons;
- 1.5 kg of sea salt;
- 3 tsp ground coriander;
- 2 tsp ground black pepper;
- 2 tsp fennel;
- 3/4 tsp cardamom;
- 1 bay leaf;
- cinnamon on the tip of a knife.
A rich set of spices, combined with the beneficial properties of the fruit, is great for strengthening the immune system. Each fruit must be cut into 8 slices and eat one slice every day. Eating such a treat during the most dangerous winter months will keep you from worrying about the occasional cold.
How to take salted lemons
Properly fermented fruits contain a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients. Of course, excessive consumption of the product can lead to an excess of the permissible doses of these substances in the body. For a general strengthening effect on the body, it is necessary to eat no more than two slices of lemon per day.
The recommended course of taking lemon and salt is one to two months. The best time to consume it is in the morning. It is best to eat the product on an empty stomach before breakfast. This method will allow you to awaken the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, which in the future will have a beneficial effect both on the digestive system and on the general state of immunity.
Storage rules
Salting products is designed to extend their shelf life. The salt contained in the product is the best preservative to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the product. It is recommended to store the finished dish in a tightly closed jar. You should avoid opening it frequently to take small portions of the product. As a rule, an opened can should be used within one month, otherwise the saline solution will be spoiled by frequent contact with air.
The most suitable place for storage is a cool darkened room with an air temperature of no more than 10-14 degrees. If it is impossible to organize such a place, it is best to use the upper shelf of the refrigerator. With the correct fermentation procedure, citruses can be stored for up to a year.
Limitations and contraindications
Despite the undoubted benefits of lemons with salt, its use can cause irreparable harm to the body. Do not give the product to young children under 1 year old, whose gastrointestinal tract is not yet adapted to acidic foods. After a year, it is possible to give children complementary foods in the form of one teaspoon as an addition to sweet tea or water. In its pure form, the child can be given the composition only after the final formation of the digestive system - after 3 years.
Fermented lemons should be treated with caution by people prone to allergic reactions. Hypersensitivity to citrus fruits is an important reason for excluding this dish from your diet. Such people should also stay away from Moroccan cuisine, which often contains this component in its composition.
People with problematic teeth should be treated with great caution in the use of this delicacy. With damaged enamel or caries, the acid contained in the dish can lead to great destruction of the enamel and dentin. In this case, you should only refrain from eating them raw. As a component of other foods, citrus fruits become less aggressive.
Conclusion
Lemon with salt is a great way of preserving, allowing you to multiply the beneficial properties of citrus fruits. The unusual taste and wide range of applications give the product an important place among other vegetables and fruits. Properly prepared, they will bring gastronomic pleasure to a person and strengthen his health.
