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You might have seen videos wherein someone hands over a lemon to a kid, which often gives comical results. But, are lemons safe for your child? Or it’s only nice for short videos.
Here is what you should know about kids and the benefits they can get from citrus fruits like lemon.
Benefits of lemon for kid
1. Vitamin C
Lemon contains vitamin C, which is required for all kids for development. Moreover, it helps in the absorption of iron and strengthens the immune system. In addition, lemon keeps your kids safe from free radicals that can cause cell damage.
What’s more? It stimulates brain functions to make your kids smart and active.
2. Minerals
Vitamin C and minerals improve the hair, skin and nails of your kids. Hence, regular intake of lemon water reduces the chances of hair fall in future.
3. Immunity
Apart from Vitamin C, lemon contains citric acid and bioactive compounds like eriocitrin, which boost your immunity. In addition, it comprises antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the immune system of your kids.
4. Digestion
D-limonene present in lemon water or lemon juice increases gastric mobility and minimizes indigestion symptoms. So, you can use lemon water to boost the child’s digestive system.
5. Cold and many other diseases
Warm lemon water on an empty stomach reduces colds, coughs and chest infections. Moreover, it also eliminates asthma problems. Lack of vitamin C and ascorbic acid leads to scurvy, which is a result of oral and skin diseases. Lemon water keeps your kids safe from such problems. It also fights against cholera.
6. Hydration and other benefits
- Water mixed with fresh lemon keeps your kids hydrated.
- Lemon water adds flavour to the meals of your kids. You cannot use added sales before the young one is at least 12 months old. But, you can use lemon juice or lemon water.
- Babies cannot chew. You can use lemon water to tenderize food items and make them soft for the little ones.
When to introduce lemon to your kid?
Babies can start consuming solid food once they are at least 6 months old. Lemon has a striking flavour, but lemon water is perfect for kids. However, you should introduce lemon water in small quantities. Do not add more than a squirt of lemon juice to the water. If you are using lemon juice, then use a quarter of lemon.
How to serve lemon water to your kids?
- Add a few drops of lemon into the water and make it more interesting for your kids. Give them lemon water on an empty stomach for maximum benefits.
- Squeeze lemon juice over cooked vegetables like kale, beans, or broccoli.
Risks and precautions
- Do not overwhelm your kid with lemon or lemon juice.
- Introducing lemon on its own is not recommended because it could be highly acidic for the baby. If your baby feels uncomfortable, stop its usage right away and try after a few weeks.
- Regular and prolonged exposure to citric acid might result in tooth decay. So, we recommend you rinse your kids’ mouths with plain water after they drink lemon water.
- When consumed in large quantities, lemon could result in irritation on the baby’s skin or diaper rashes.
- Minor gastric disturbances and oral rash are some common results of first-time lemon consumption. These are not allergic reactions. Such problems disappears once the kid’s body adapts to the new food. However, stop feeding lemon water to the kids if these signs stay for long.
- Are your children allergic to grass or pollen? Then, they could be allergic to citrus fruits. So, talk to your doctor in such cases.
Conclusion
Every kid is different. So, your children may have multiple reactions after tasting lemon or lemon water. Some of them might ask for more lemon and others could say no to it. Even if the little one is not interested in lemon water, do not take it away forever. Your kid might not enjoy a new drink or food item, but increased exposure leads to acceptance.
Thank You🙏
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- Protective Effects of Lemon Juice on Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice
- Effect of Pre-meal Water Consumption on Energy Intake and Satiety in Non-obese Young Adults
- Quantitative Assessment of Citric Acid in Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Commercially-Available Fruit Juice Products
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