Research shows that citrus peels offer more antioxidants than the juice or flesh of the fruit, and initial evidence on lemon peels specifically suggests that their antioxidant activity is more potent than that of tangerine or grapefruit peels.<\/p>\n
2. They Offer Nutrients, Including Fiber <\/p>\n
Lemon peels are low in calories (3 calories per 1 tablespoon serving) and contain 1 gram (g) of pectin, a type of fiber. Evidence suggests that consuming the fiber-rich peel is more beneficial than solely consuming its flesh or juice.\n<\/p>\n
The peel of this fruit also offers 8 milligrams (mg) of calcium, smaller amounts of potassium and magnesium, and 9% of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C.<\/p>\n
3. They Support Dental Health <\/p>\n
Some research suggests that lemon peels may support oral health by combating bacterial growth in the mouth that can lead to cavities and gum infections.\n<\/p>\n
In another study, lemon peel extract was shown to fight the cavity-causing<\/a> Streptococcus mutans\u00a0bacteria activity, supporting evidence that the fruit’s other components may have similar oral health benefits.\n<\/p>\n 4. They Lower Heart Disease Risk <\/p>\n Some of the nutrients and antioxidants in lemon peels may lower high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, which can impact heart disease risk<\/a>. The research findings include:\n<\/p>\n Adolescents with excess weight and obesity who took a lemon-peel-containing supplement reduced blood pressure and LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol.Lemon peel extract may help lower blood pressure levels in adults.The antioxidants and fiber found in lemon peels can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. However, more human clinical trials are needed.<\/p>\n 5. They Provide Antifungal and Antimicrobial Properties <\/p>\n Initial laboratory research shows lemon peels may help prevent harmful bacteria and fungi from growing.\n<\/p>\n The peel’s antibiotic and antifungal content may combat and reduce the growth of microorganisms on the skin and body, notably those resistant to drugs. More research performed in humans could help support these findings.\n<\/p>\n 6. They May Help Fight Cancer <\/p>\n Lemon and other citrus peels’ potential cancer-fighting properties are likely due to their antioxidants, like D-limonene<\/a>, vitamin C, and hesperidin, which can promote the growth of healthy cells in the body.\n<\/p>\n Other research links higher consumption of citrus fruits<\/a> and peels, including lemon, to a lower risk of developing certain cancers. However, additional evidence is needed to confirm this potential connection.\n<\/p>\n Tips for Adding Lemon Peels to Your Diet <\/p>\n Research supports the benefits of consuming, rather than discarding, lemon peels, highlighting their potential nutritional value. To start including lemon peels in your diet, consider the following tips:\n<\/p>\n Thoroughly scrub the fruit before consuming the peel to remove any pesticide residue and prevent cross-contamination of bacteria from your hands and surfacesZest the lemon peel and use it as a topping for beverages or dessertsAdd lemon peel as an ingredient in sweet and savory dishes, marinades, and dressingsUse lemon peel as a garnish for baked fish or other seafood-based mealsInfuse lemon zest into your cooking liquid for rice, quinoa, or soup to add a sweet citrus flavorRefrigerate lemon peel in a container and store it for up to several days for easy usage<\/p>\n Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process<\/a> to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n U.S. Department of Agriculture. Lemon peel, raw<\/a>.<\/p>\n Singh B, Singh JP, Kaur A, Singh N.\u00a0Phenolic composition, antioxidant potential and health benefits of citrus peel<\/a>.\u00a0Food Res Int. 2020;132:109114. doi:10.1016\/j.foodres.2020.109114<\/p>\n Diab KA. In vitro studies on phytochemical content, antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and antigenotoxic activities of lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin citrus peels<\/a>. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;17(7):3559-67.<\/p>\n Magalh\u00e3es D, Vilas-Boas AA, Teixeira P, Pintado M. Functional ingredients and additives from lemon by-products and their applications in food preservation: A review<\/a>. Foods. 2023;12(5):1095. doi:10.3390\/foods12051095<\/p>\n Miyake Y, Hiramitsu M. Isolation and extraction of antimicrobial substances against oral bacteria from lemon peel<\/a>. J Food Sci Technol. 2011;48(5):635-9. doi:10.1007\/s13197-011-0330-3<\/p>\n Sun Y, Chen S, Zhang C et al. Effects of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of lemon essential oil on the acid tolerance and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans<\/a>. Arch Oral Biol. 2018;87:235-241. doi:10.1016\/j.archoralbio.2017.12.028<\/p>\n Zhang XY, Yu ZF, Wang DZ, Liu Y, Guo MD. [Effects of lemon peel extracts on lactate dehydrogenase and sucrase activity of Streptococcus mutans]<\/a>. Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2010;45(12):754-8.<\/p>\n Hashemipour M, Kargar M, Ghannadi A, Kelishadi R. The effect of\u00a0Citrus Aurantifolia\u00a0(Lemon) peels on cardiometabolic risk factors and markers of endothelial function in adolescents with excess weight: A triple-masked randomized controlled trial.<\/a> Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2016;30:429. eCollection 2016.<\/p>\n Kato Y, Domoto T, Hiramitsu M, et al.\u00a0Effect on blood pressure of daily lemon ingestion and walking<\/a>.\u00a0J Nutr Metab. 2014;2014:912684. doi:10.1155\/2014\/912684<\/p>\n Jing L, Zhang Y, Fan S et al. Preventive and ameliorating effects of citrus D-limonene on dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity<\/a>. Eur J Pharmacol. 2013;715(1-3):46-55. doi:10.1016\/j.ejphar.2013.06.022<\/p>\n Jennings A, Koch M, Bang C, Franke A, Lieb W, Cassidy A.\u00a0Microbial diversity and abundance of\u00a0Parabacteroides\u00a0mediate the associations between higher intake of flavonoid-rich foods and lower blood pressure<\/a>.\u00a0Hypertension. 2021;78(4):1016-1026. doi:10.1161\/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17441<\/p>\n Wang X, Ouyang YY, Liu J, Zhao G. Flavonoid intake and risk of CVD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies<\/a>. Br J Nutr. 2014;111(1):1-11. doi:10.1017\/S000711451300278X<\/p>\n Pyrzynska K. Hesperidin: A review on extraction methods, stability and biological activities<\/a>. Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2387. doi:10.3390\/nu14122387<\/p>\n Caputo L, Quintieri L, Cavalluzzi MM, Lentini G, Habtemariam S. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of citrus water-extracts obtained by microwave-assisted and conventional methods<\/a>. Biomedicines. 2018;6(2):70. doi:10.3390\/biomedicines6020070<\/p>\n Najimu Nisha S, Aysha OS, Syed Nasar Rahaman J et al. Lemon peels mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its antidermatophytic activity<\/a>. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2014;124:194-8. doi:10.1016\/j.saa.2013.12.019<\/p>\n Nair S A, Sr RK, Nair AS, Baby S.\u00a0Citrus peels prevent cancer<\/a>.\u00a0Phytomedicine. 2018;50:231-237. doi:10.1016\/j.phymed.2017.08.011<\/p>\n Wang J, Gao J, Xu HL, et al.\u00a0Citrus fruit intake and lung cancer risk: A meta-analysis of observational studies<\/a>.\u00a0Pharmacol Res. 2021;166:105430. doi:10.1016\/j.phrs.2021.105430<\/p>\n Lu XG, Zhan LB, Feng BA et al. Inhibition of growth and metastasis of human gastric cancer implanted in nude mice by d-limonene<\/a>. World J Gastroenterol. 2004;10(14):2140-4. doi:10.3748\/wjg.v10.i14.2140<\/p>\n Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\u00a0Fruit and vegetable safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Headshot\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_5047-9727550a95404c49a7515e66930004ef.JPG\")
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