Lemon Juice Powder – Organic

Organic Lemon Juice Powder captures the bright, tangy flavor of fresh lemons in a convenient, shelf-stable form. With its zesty citrus taste, this fine powder blends easily into smoothies, teas, dressings, sauces, and baked goods.

Versatile and easy to use, it can be sprinkled into recipes for a burst of lemon flavor or reconstituted with water to make refreshing lemon juice. A pantry staple, organic lemon juice powder brings fresh citrus taste to both sweet and savory dishes year-round.

It has been said that great things come in small packages, and the zesty lemon is no exception to that rule. It is well known that lemons are a nourishing source of vitamin c, but that powerful antioxidant is only the tip of the iceberg for the nutritional qualities of this fantastic fruit.

Nutrients like bioflavonoids, quercetin, pectin, hesperidin, diosmin, eriocitrin, and d-limonene are just a few reasons lemons have earned the reputation as the yellow gold of the citrus family.  

Lemons contain three essential parts (skin, rind, pulp), each providing a unique blend of nutrients, compounds, tastes, and aromas yielding its reputation in the culinary and nutritional worlds. One remarkable fact about Phyto-compounds is that a little bit goes a long way, and synergy counts.

It is important to note that with any highly nourishing foods, while each part individually provides a unique level of nourishment, no one family of constituents works alone to support good health.

Lemons have a pH level of 2-3 and are considered acidic; when they are metabolized, the minerals are dissociated in the blood, raising the pH to above seven and providing an alkalizing effect on the body.

Flavonoids and Flavonols

Flavonoids are a group of water-soluble polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants that offer health benefits through cell signaling(The process when a cell responds to a substance outside the cell through signaling molecules found on the surface of that cell) and antioxidant effects. Secondary metabolites are substances manufactured by plants that make them compete in their environment, exerting a wide range of effects on the plant itself and the surrounding living organisms, including flowing, fruit setting, signal deciduous behavior, and acting as antimicrobials. Over 50,000 secondary metabolites have been discovered, and many modern medicines rely on them for their mechanism of action.

There are six major subclasses of flavonoids;  Anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavanones, flavones, and isoflavones.

Flavonols are polyphenols belonging to the flavonoid family with a ketone group studied for their wide range of biological activities(antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, modulating inflammation, and vasodilation). They primarily accumulate in the outer tissues(skin and leaves) of fruits and vegetables, are the building blocks of proanthocyanins(compounds that attribute to the colors of fruits and vegetables), and are most widespread in the human diet.

Lemon Juice Powder: A Treasure Trove of Nourishment

Quercetin

While apples and onions take center stage for being the “foods of choice” when acquiring quercetin, this potent phytochemical has been spoken of as being one of the most potent flavonols, and a little bit really does go a long way.  Quercetin is being aggressively studied for its ability to support a healthy aging process through various mechanisms of action. In one human study, quercetin showed its ability to inhibit inflammation by increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARy), which was shown to antagonize nuclear factor kappa b (NFKB), a protein complex at the top of the inflammation cascade that controls transcription of DNA, cytokine production, and cell proliferation.

In another human study, quercetin was revealed to inhibit glucose uptake through the increased activation of activated protein kinase(AMPK). This enzyme plays a role in cellular energy homeostasis, activating glucose and fatty acid uptake when cell energy is low. The activation of AMPK stimulates Akt (protein kinase B that regulates glucose metabolism) and glucose transporter 4(GLTU4), which are responsible for glucose uptake in fat and muscle cells.

In a review discussing the therapeutic potential of quercetin as a cardiovascular agent, it is stated, “Quercetin exhibits significant heart-related benefits such as inhibition of LDL oxidation, endothelium-independent vasodilator effects, reduction of adhesion molecules and other inflammatory markers, the protective effect on nitric oxide and endothelial function under conditions of oxidative stress, prevention of neuronal oxidative and inflammatory damage and antiaggregant platelet effects.”

Diosmin

Diosmin is a flavonoid primarily found in citrus fruits and is recognized as one of the main flavonoid components in lemon juice. Diosmin is a compound studied for its ability to support circulatory health through various actions on blood vessels, such as lymphatic drainage, microcirculation, and increasing venous tone and elasticity. While not completely understood, it is believed that diosmin acts on venous tone( a property of the vascular system which reflects vascular resistance and pressure tonifying the network of veins that bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart) by inhibiting the breakdown of norepinephrine. The inhibition of norepinephrine prolongs noradrenergic activity, thereby increasing venous tone. In simple terms, diosmin has been studied to repair veins and support healthy blood flow.

In a review of the efficacy of low-dose diosmin in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease, it was concluded; diosmin combined with the preparation of hesperidin was safe and effective at improving cardiovascular disease symptoms after eight weeks in subjects with clinical classifications C2-C4 (varicose veins of 3mm or more, edema, band changes in skin and subcutaneous tissue).

Another clinical trial examined diosmin’s effects on patients with chronic venous disorder on selected angiogenesis factors. It was determined that the average content of all markers(TNF alpha, VEGF-C, IL-6, FGF2) all decreased significantly, and a substantial decrease in edema was observed. It was concluded, “Diosmin influences the angiogenic and inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of edema presented in patients with a different class of CVD.”

Hesperidin

Hesperidin is a flavanone glycoside found in citrus fruits. Glycosides are compounds formed by a single sugar, and hesperidin is a sugar-bound form of the flavonoid hesperetin. While predominantly found in oranges and grapefruits at around 27-30mg/100 grams, lemons take a close second at 26mg/100 grams.

A placebo-controlled human trial with 24 men and women with metabolic syndrome given 500 mg daily for three weeks of hesperidin resulted in lowered plasma levels of CRP (C Reactive protein), serum amyloid A(proteins associated with HLD in plasma), and sE-selectin(plays an important part in inflammation process specific to cytokines). It was concluded, “ Novel mechanisms for hesperetin action in endothelial cells inform effects of oral hesperidin treatment to improve endothelial dysfunction and reduce circulating markers of inflammation in our exploratory clinical trial. Hesperetin has vasculoprotective actions that may explain beneficial cardiovascular effects of citrus consumption.”

In another randomized control trial evaluating blood pressure lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of hesperidin in type 2 diabetics, it showed that in just six weeks, there were significant positive differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, arterial blood pressure, serum TAC, and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and hs-CRP) between hesperidin and control groups following intervention in adjusted models (p < .05).

Is Lemon Powder the Same as Lemon Juice Powder?

While using food in powder form has its advantages and disadvantages, it is essential to understand the intrinsic facts that create those differences. Juice powders are one of many versions (juicing, alcohol, water, alcohol & water, glycerin) of what is known as extract powders. The umbrella term “extract powder” describes various highly concentrated versions of the plant, fungi, and animal foods in either powder or liquid form. These different versions on the market create unique variables for how these highly concentrated foods are potentially used for their nourishing qualities. Some of these variables are defined in concentration levels.

Full spectrum extracts concentrate a food or herb as a whole(1:1, 4:1, 10:1, and 100:1), so you are getting all constituents found in that food in a highly concentrated, well-balanced manner. Isolated standardized extracts separate and concentrate a particular family of compounds. It is essential to understand that isolated standardization does not produce a well-balanced end product but may provide a more targeted approach for why that food or herb is being used. A juice powder comes closest to a full-spectrum concentration. Although the fiber has been removed in a juice powder (which may take away some nourishing properties), all other nutrients and compounds are perfectly balanced and more concentrated.

Lemon powder is a lemon that has been dried (freeze-dried, air-dried, or spray-dried) and milled into a powder. This version is considered a whole-food powder with all constituents intact. The water is removed, and nothing has been concentrated. You can also count on the fact that there will be differences in color and taste between the juice powder (more vibrant color and robust flavor) and the whole-food powder (varying from batch to batch). To be clear, this is not to say one is better than the other. It is a matter of how you intend to use the product that will declare which one is more suitable.

Lemons: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Every culture defines how and why food is considered “healthy” based on various factors. According to western medicine, healthy food is defined as foods that provide the nourishment needed to sustain well-being and retain energy.  Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at food from a slightly different perspective. According to TCM, food is not defined as healthy or unhealthy but, instead, if it is the right food for an individual at a specific time. TCM believes that the energetic effects foods can have on the body(warming, cooling, drying, moistening) dictate how one should eat based on the individual’s current state of health. Lemons, according to TCM, are sour in taste, cooling in temperature, and have astringent-like qualities that directly affect the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and lung meridians. Traditional Chinese Medicine also believes that lemons help clear heat, cool the liver, remove stagnation, support spleen Qi, circulate blood, and resolve phlegm.

Z Natural foods hand-picks specific ingredients for our customers to provide the best quality product based on three factors.

• Versatility
• History of safe and effective usage
• Strong evidence of positive research outcomes in humans

• Flavonoids are a group of water-soluble polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants thought to provide health benefits through cell signaling and antioxidant effects. Secondary metabolites are substances manufactured by plants that make them compete in their environment, exerting a wide range of effects on the plant itself and the surrounding living organisms, including flowing, fruit setting, signal deciduous behavior, and acting as antimicrobials. Over 50,000 secondary metabolites have been discovered, and many modern medicines rely on them for their mechanism of action. There are six major subclasses of flavonoids;  Anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavanones, flavones, and isoflavones.
• Flavonols are polyphenols belonging to the flavonoid family with a ketone group studied for their wide range of biological activities(antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, modulating inflammation, and vasodilation). They primarily accumulate in the outer tissues(skin and leaves) of fruits and vegetables, are the building blocks of proanthocyanins(compounds that attribute to the colors of fruits and vegetables), and are most widespread in the human diet. The most studied flavonols are kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, and fesetin.
• Quercetin: While apples and onions are the “foods of choice” when acquiring quercetin, this potent phytochemical has been spoken of as one of the most potent flavonols, and a little bit goes a long way. It is a compound being aggressively studied for its ability to support a healthy aging process through various mechanisms of action.

• Diosmin: Diosmin is a flavonoid primarily found in citrus fruits and is recognized as one of the main flavonoid components in lemon juice. Diosmin is a compound supporting circulatory health through various actions on blood vessels, such as lymphatic drainage, microcirculation, and increasing venous tone and elasticity. While not completely understood, it is believed that diosmin acts on venous tone( a property of the vascular system which reflects vascular resistance and pressure tonifying the network of veins that bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart) by inhibiting the breakdown of norepinephrine. The inhibition of norepinephrine prolongs noradrenergic activity, thereby increasing venous tone. In simple terms, diosmin has been studied to repair veins and support healthy blood flow.

• Hesperidin: Hesperidin is a flavanone glycoside found in citrus fruits. Glycosides are compounds formed by a single sugar, and hesperidin is a sugar-bound form of the flavonoid hesperetin. While predominantly found in oranges and Grapefruits at around 27-30mg/100 grams, lemons take a close second at 26mg/100 grams.

•  According to TCM, food is not defined as healthy or unhealthy but, instead, if it is the right food for an individual at a specific time. TCM believes that the energetic effects foods can have on the body(warming, cooling, drying, moistening) are what dictate how one should eat. Lemons, according to TCM, are sour in taste, cooling in temperature, and have astringent-like qualities that directly affect the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and lung meridians. Traditional Chinese Medicine also believes that lemons help clear heat, cool the liver, remove stagnation, support spleen Qi, circulate blood, and resolve phlegm.

Some research suggests that Lemons may contain the following constituents:

• Minerals: Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Zinc, Manganese

• Vitamins: Vitamin C, B-complex (no b12), Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Beta Cryptoxanthin, Lutein, Zeaxanthin
• Flavonols: Quercetin
• Flavanones: Eriodictyol, Hesperetin, Naringenin

Suggested Use: Mix 1 tablespoon to recipes, juice, your favorite smoothie, or make lemonade.

Mixing Suggestions: To increase flavor and nutritional profile, combine with our organic acerola and camu camu powders.

Miscellaneous facts about our Organic Lemon Juice Powder

Certifications: USDA Certified Organic.

Ingredients: Organic Lemon Juice.

Parts Used: Lemon Juice (no seeds, no skin).

Botanical Name: Citrus Limon.

Other Names: Limón, Limonero.

Origin: Grown and juiced in China. Packaged with care in Florida, USA.