Plaque development in your arteries is known as atherosclerosis. Plaque is actually a combination of fatty materials, calcium and cholesterol and over a period of time plaque can accumulate so much that it inhibits blood flow and artery walls become stiff and rigid. The primary danger of plaque in your arteries is the development of coronary heart disease.
While you should always have your doctor oversee the treatment of atherosclerosis, the use of lemon juice can potentially help reduce or hinder the accumulation of plaque along your arteries. Even though scientific information regarding the effectiveness of lemon juice for artery plaque is inconclusive, preliminary studies are promising.
Nutritional Profile:
According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 100 grams of raw lemon juice is comprised of 92.31 percent water; however, the remaining percentage is comprised of a high concentration of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Lemon juice is comprised of a total of 10 different minerals, which include phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, selenium and calcium. There are also a total of 15 vitamins within this fruit juice, which include riboflavin, folate, niacin and vitamin C.
Lemon Juice and Artery Plaque:
While there scientific data regarding the effectiveness of lemon juice on artery plaque may not be available as no studies have been performed, this juice may help reduce artery plaque due to its high concentration of vitamin C. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin C works to convert cholesterol into bile acids, which may help reduce overall blood cholesterol and work to inhibit cholesterol accumulation within your arteries.
Catechins and Lemon Juice:
One of the more interesting findings regarding lemon juice and artery plaque is this juices’ ability to enhance the absorption rate of catechin compounds found in green tea. I know what you may be thinking, “What exactly are catechins, and why are they important?”
Catechins are the primary medicinal compound found in green tea, and according to the “Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology,” catechins found in green tea significantly reduced cholesterol and fat lipids within rats. Thus, green tea catechins may help lower overall cholesterol in humans.
Interestingly, the human body is only able to absorb 20 percent of total catechins consumed through green tea. However, according to a research study outlined by Purdue University, consuming lemon juice alongside green tea enhances catechin absorption to 80 percent. This enhanced absorption rate may help reduce cholesterol.
References Used:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/
Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3585557
“Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology”: Effect of Green Tea Catechins on Plasma Cholesterol Level…
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2007b/071113FerruzziTea.html
Purdue University: Citrus Juice, Vitamin C Give Staying Power to Green Tea Antioxidants