It's officially Winter, and that means it's lemon season.

We know that lemons are high in vitamin C and are a great source of fibre. We also know that they are great for our digestive health and have been told for years of the benefits of having fresh lemon juice in a warm glass of water to begin your day. But did you also know that they are great for our heart health too?

Lemons and your heart

Lemons are high in vitamin C, fibre and bioflavonoids which can play a significant role in reducing cholesterol and other heart disease related risk factors; thus reducing the risks of heart disease and stroke.

Another key nutrient in lemon's arsenal is potassium, which is great for ensuring our nerves are firing effectively, supports muscle contraction and helps to regulate our fluid levels. This can help reduce blood pressure and protect again stroke.

Boost your immune system

There is a reason lemons are in season during Winter - they are great for supporting our immune system and helping us ward off those coughs and colds. This is a result of the antibacterial and antiviral compounds found in this zesty fruit.

Combined with high levels of vitamin C and zinc, this fruit can really pack a punch when fighting off infections.

Protective against iron deficiency anemia

When we are not able to get enough iron from our diet, we can easily find ourselves in a state of iron deficiency anemia. When our body does not have enough iron, it cant make enough healthy red blood cells - which means that the rest of our body doesn't get enough oxygen. This can lead to fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.

While lemons themselves don't contain huge amounts of iron, the vitamin C in the lemon can help the body to better absorb iron from our diet, and therefore protect us against this common condition.

Lemon as a stress reducer

Research has shown that the scent of citrus fruit can significantly reduce our feelings of anxiety and promote a sense of wellbeing, by the effect it has on our brain's limbic system (the part of the brain that processes memories and emotions). Add a few drops of essential oil to a bath or your oil burner and take a moment to breathe deeply.

Promotes weight-loss

The pulp of lemons contains a soluble fibre called pectin, which can support the body to feel fuller for longer, so having a glass of water prior to having a meal will help you to eat less and remain satiated longer - which also means less snacking between meals.

Soluble fibres can also help to slow down the digestion of starches and sugars, which can lower blood sugar levels as well as help to improve overall gut health.

There are plenty of other health benefits of lemons, and they are easy to add into our daily diet - whether its in a warm cup of water or added to our vegetables or salad as a dressing.