Lemons and kumquats are two popular fruits used as spices in dishes and for making refreshing drinks, helping to cool down, and relieve cough… Many people wonder if lemons and kumquats have the same benefits and if one can be substituted for the other and which one is better.
Firstly, in terms of taste, these two fruits are similar but not the same. Kumquats have a tangy flavor, while lemons have a refreshing taste. If used in cooking, there are times when kumquats can be used as a substitute for lemons, but there are also times when they cannot due to different flavors and aromas. To supplement nutrition and enhance health care, we need to clarify the characteristics of each type as follows:
Benefits of lemon water:
Lemons are prominently rich in vitamin C. In an average lemon, it contains the following basic components: 0.5 grams of protein, 0.1 grams of fat, 1.9 grams of fiber, 22% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C, 2% RDI of iron, 2% RDI of calcium, 2% RDI of vitamin B6, 2% RDI of thiamine, and 1% RDI of potassium.
Lemons have many benefits, including:
Boosting immunity:
Due to the high vitamin C content, lemon water helps strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue symptoms, fight against viruses and bacteria that cause diseases. Lemons help absorb iron better. Iron is necessary for the existence and development of cells in your body. Drinking lemon water can help enhance iron absorption, especially for athletes and people with anemia.
Aiding in weight loss:
Lemon water helps detoxify the body, improve metabolism, and promote fat burning. Lemon water is excellent when used as a substitute for bottled soft drinks. Drinking lemon water instead of sugary drinks can help limit the amount of calorie intake and potentially support healthy weight loss.
Preventing kidney stones:
Citric acid, or vitamin C, in lemon water can also help prevent the development of kidney stones. Many medical recommendations state that drinking lemon water regularly supports better kidney stone prevention.
Refreshing breath:
Lemons can help kill bacteria, especially when drinking lemon water with lemon peel, it can provide excellent benefits of reducing bad breath and freshening the throat. However, people with digestive disorders or stomach problems should pay attention to the daily usage amount and avoid using it on an empty stomach.
Benefits of kumquat water:
Kumquats are also a popular fruit used as a spice or for making kumquat tea, pickling food… In 100 grams of kumquat (about 5 whole kumquats), it contains: Calories: 71, Carbs: 16 grams, Protein: 2 grams, Fat: 1 gram, Fiber: 6.5 grams, Vitamin A: 6% RDI, Vitamin C: 73% RDI, Calcium: 6% RDI, Manganese: 7% RDI. Kumquats are also rich in vitamin B1, minerals, and antioxidants.
Notable benefits of kumquat water:
Cholesterol control:
Some medical recommendations state that kumquat water helps reduce cholesterol formation, thereby supporting metabolism and protecting the cardiovascular system.
Boosting immunity:
Kumquats, like lemons, are high in vitamin C and other beneficial nutrients. This fruit has been used as an immune booster. Kumquats are also rich in antioxidants, helping to fight aging and neutralize free radicals.
Soothing the stomach:
Although kumquats have a high content of citric acid and other acids, many people still consume them as a stomach soother. When consumed in moderation, kumquats can reduce inflammation, heal ulcers, and protect against acid reflux.
Promoting collagen production:
Vitamin C is an essential factor in collagen production, which is necessary for the formation of tissues, muscles, and cells in the body. Kumquat water can help promote better collagen formation for healthier skin.
Beneficial for diabetes:
Kumquat water can support stabilizing blood sugar levels. Kumquats can regulate glucose and insulin release into the blood. However, it is not recommended to add too much sugar to kumquat water to avoid adverse effects.
Aiding in weight loss:
Kumquat water promotes digestion, improves metabolism, helps burn excess fat in the body, and eliminates toxic substances. When consuming kumquat water, the body generates more heat, increases metabolism, and improves calorie burning.
Supporting respiratory health:
Kumquat water, with its high vitamin C content, helps support sterilization, improves respiration, and helps soothe the throat, relieving cough.
With the above information, you may find that both kumquat and lemon water are good for health, and whether you should substitute them for each other. Each fruit has different benefits and components, not entirely the same. Therefore, you should combine alternately using these two types of fruits. In addition to different flavors, they also have different specific benefits alongside a few similarities. Therefore, you should not use just one type as a substitute but diversify your body by using both.
