Citrus Fruits Neutralize Body Acids

Most people see citrus fruits - grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and limes – as acid food. The secret of citrus is that even though they enter your mouth as an acid food they work in your body as an alkaline residue. This residue works to eliminate acid which makes you less susceptible to disease.

The following four citruses belong to the family Rutaceae

Grapefruit and Atherosclerosis

Grapefruit appeared around 300 years ago and no one knows how it came about. It was known as the forbidden fruit of the Caribbean.

Nutritionally, grapefruit is high in vitamin C and contains flavoniods different from the other citrus fruits. It is the flavoniod naringin that gives it its bitter taste. On its skin, the grapefruit has a phytochemical called monoterpenes, which has been found to protect against cancer. Very few people eat the skin since it is quite bitter. However these skin phytochemicals lower blood cholesterol and clean out arterial plaque. This could be a natural remedy to reverse atherosclerosis.

Most people just eat the meat of the grapefruit, but the rind has been found, in Japan, to be high in vitamins and in nutrients that fight cancer. The rind is also bitter but you always get a little when you peel the grapefruit.

The skin of the grapefruit can be cut into bite size pieces and dried on your counter. After a week or two you can store them in a glass jar and chew on the when you have an upset stomach.

Lemons and Antioxidants

Lemons go way back to 800 B.C. In the middle ages, lemons moved from the Mediterranean to Asia then northern Africa. Later, the Spaniards brought lemons to South American. Lemons were used to treat and cure scurvy in the 16^th Century and in Roman times people used them as a poison antidote.

Lemons also have monoterpenes like grapefruit. These monoterpenes are powerful antioxidants and in combination with vitamin C have cancer prevention and fighting abilities. 

Lemons are considered acidic but when their nutrients enter the body and are used up, the residue becomes alkaline. This residue becomes available to neutralize body acids. Most people have acid bodies and lack minerals to adjust their bodies back to normal or alkaline. So, lemons and other citric fruits should be eaten daily, even if you have arthritis.

Limes and Monoterpenes

Limes have similar properties as lemons, since they too contain monoterpenes. English sailors, to prevent scurvy, also used them. You can eat the other skin to get the most health benefit from limes. Throw them in a blender with other juices to get a strong citrus drink.

Oranges and D-limonene

Oranges existed in China in 2400 B.C. Through trading, oranges were spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Oranges are high in vitamin C and their skin contains a good amount of monoterpenes and oil called d-limonene.

Use citrus fruits daily for their vitamin C, phytonutrients, and antioxidants that protect you from cancer and other diseases. Use them for arthritis to neutralize and remove acids that surround joints and cause inflammation.