IT’S NOT REALLY LEMON!

When did having a cute plastic lemon or plastic lemon bottle stashed on your refrigerator door become a normal staple in most kitchens?

And how many months or years has that plastic lemon juice been on your refrigerator shelf biding its time for a quick shake in the event you need a dash of lemon?

Why do you think that plastic lemon source has such a long shelf life…?  Do the math.

Preservatives.  Chemical additives.  Processing until any trace of fresh lemon is long gone.

It makes you wonder why anyone in their right mind would opt for a chemical concoction in a squeeze bottle that barely has any resemblance to real fresh squeezed lemon…?

• It’s cheaper
• Fresh lemons go bad
• Good to have on hand as a quick anytime lemon replacement

Let’s take a closer look at what you really get in that quick squirt of “It’s Not Really Lemon” in that plastic container that’s been around for months (or years?) in your frig.

First of all, that plastic can leach deadly dioxins, phthlates (plastisicers),  and bisphenol A (BPA) chemicals into the liquid that can cause all sorts of serious health problems down the road.  Especially, if it is ever heated.

Maybe those plastic lemons have been sitting in a hot truck during transport.  Or even baking in a hot warehouse before reaching the final point of sale on your grocery shelf.

If so, that cute little plastic lemon is a cancer grenade at the moment of purchase.  And you plan on drinking it?

But now back to why it has such an extended shelf life…  Preservatives.

• Sodium benzoate
• Sodium metabisulfite
• Sodium sulfite
• Sulfur dioxide

Sodium benzoates will dramatically extend the shelf life.  That’s why you can use a dash of liquid from that chemical brew in your plastic squeezer (that’s been around longer than you will admit) and get away with it.

Sodium metabisulfite assures that your plastic squeezed juice always smells fresh.  So much for giving it the sniff test for freshness in case you wonder if it’s tainted.

Sodium sulfites will prevent the creepy crawlies from thriving inside your cute yellow plastic container.  Proceed with caution if you have a sulfite sensitivity that can trigger an asthma attack.

Sulfur dioxide is a bleaching agent to keep that liquid looking fresh.  It can also trigger a migraine.

Also, beware of the sinister “imitation lemon juice” warning.  That chemical brew will contain artificial colorings, artificial flavorings, artificial fragrances, and anything but real lemon juice.  Yum.

And what about the ominous “concentrated” alert?  You be the judge.

Here’s how that concentrated juice is made…

• First the juice is extracted with machines and the pulp removed
• Now the juice is pasteurized with high heat to destroy any cooties
• Next the cooked juice goes into a hot evaporator to quickly remove the water content leaving the thick, syrupy concentrated version
• The nutritionally-damaged concentrate is now stored for later use or packaging

Again, yum.

Oh, so you say you only purchase organic pressed lemon juice in a glass bottle with no additives on the label so you are safe.

Or are you?

I suppose.  However, that “safe” pressed lemon juice in the glass bottle with no additives is always pasteurized.  Aka cooked with high heat.

Sure, it kills the cooties, but it also destroys the live enzymes and damages the nutritional value of the juice.

Granted, this would be your the best alternative choice if you are totally resistant to buying fresh, wholesome, REAL lemons that you can squeeze for all the wonderful nutritional and health benefits.

Take my advice.  Do something great for your health right now and toss that chemically laden “It’s Not Really Lemon” squeezer that has been in your frig for far too long.

And the next time you go out, do yourself a favor and stock up on some fresh, wholesome lemons!

Wondering which way to turn to get your health back? I understand and would love to chat with you.  Let’s talk.   This call is my gift to you.

On December 22, 2019   /   Blog   /   1 Comment