Generally we think of lemonade as a refreshing beverage that satisfies our thirst on a hot day. A healthier variation for lemonade is to use the white rind in the drink. By using the pectin fiber the drink becomes richer and creamier and greatly increases the health benefits.

Citrus pectin significantly lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduces plaque from arterial walls. These findings were confirmed by the Journal of Clinical Cardiology. In fact the power to lower the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels is as powerful as statin drugs without the harmful side effects.

Besides the clinically proven benefits to the liver and cardio-vascular system, pectin also binds and removes toxic chemicals from the body. The World Health Organization has implicated environmental toxins in over 60% of all cancer cases. These toxins are also thought to be related to allergies, aches and pains, chronic fatigue, cancer, arthritis and diabetes. Studies have shown that heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic are removed by using citrus pectin.

You can go to your local health food store and buy pectin powder in capsules. Some companies sell a months supply of citrus pectin for $100.

You can also make a nutritious healthy drink from whole lemons simply and conveniently at home using our beloved Vitamix. The cornucopia of fruits in the bowl seen in the picture above is a collection from our citrus orchard that we use to make a daily lemon drink. The recipe is quite simple.

1 Large Lemon
4-6 Tbs Blue Agave Nectar (or sweeten to taste)
3 cups ice water

Peel only the outer yellow zest of the lemon leaving the inner white rind intact. Chop the lemon coarsely. Add all the ingredients to your blender or Vitamix. Blend at high speed until liquefied. Adjust sweetness to taste. It will get smoother and creamier the next day. Yum!