Yuzu’s humble origins trace back to China though it largely cultivated in Korea and Japan. While its appearance is generally green or yellow like a lime or lemon, its skin and taste likely make it most comparable to a grapefruit. Yuzu is either grown in large shrubs or small trees depending on the preference of the grower. Yuzu is usually not eaten raw given its the pungent and robust taste as well as its aroma. However, bartenders and chefs have recently embraced the yuzu fruit. Chefs usually use the rind and juice of the fruit for their creations, while bartenders often enjoy using the skin to garnish a drink with a twist. Yuzu can be made into an essential oil and has been used to promote skin health.
Yuzu Has Powerful Anti-Aging Properties
Yuzu is quite high in vitamin C as well as many other vitamins and minerals. In fact, a yuzu fruit contains twice the vitamin C as a lemon. Vitamin C is responsible for starting the production of collagen in the body. Collagen is essential to reducing the production of wrinkles in aging skin. Additionally, yuzu contains two flavanone compounds, hesperidin, and naringenin which fight the free radicals in the body which ultimately cause fine lines and wrinkles.
Yuzu’s Scent Can Help Your Mood
The Yuzu scent has been used in Japan for centuries to stabilize the mood decrease anxiety, depression, anger, and other mental issues. Yuzu is also known for its stress-reducing properties. In a 2017 study, the scent from yuzu oil showed its powerful calming properties on a group of women with premenstrual symptoms and showed a reduction in symptoms after just ten minutes of inhalation in nearly 90% of participants in the study.
Yuzu Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is an immune system response owing to an injury or damage to the tissue in the body. It is a normal response. Chronic inflammation, however, is more dangerous and is often a contributing factor in the development of many diseases. Yuzu is also high in antioxidants which fight the free radicals which cause inflammation. Limonene, a compound found in the Yuzu peel also fights free radical formation and reduces inflammation.
Yuzu Promotes Overall Brain Health
There are some compounds in the yuzu fruit which suggest that it promotes overall brain health and prevents cognitive decline that comes with age. In a study where rats were given yuzu extract, it was shown to reduce beta-amyloid proteins in the brain which can increase cognitive decline. Beta-amyloid proteins are believed to be a factor in Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. Antioxidants in yuzu also free radical damage to the brain which can lead to neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Yuzu Can Help With Nausea
Yuzu has been used over the centuries by people struggling with persistent nausea. If motion sickness or seasickness is a problem for you, you may want to look to yuzu. The same can be said for a big night out and the hangover that often follows it in the morning. Yuzu is so acidic that it wakes up the body often causing nausea to subside.
Helps With Weight Loss
Yuzu’s high acid content can help you lose weight. Yuzu is also only about 20 calories per 100 grams eaten. So, it can provide you with a nice little low-calorie snack while also acidify the body allowing it to absorb calcium more rapidly. Calcium absorption speeds up the body’s ability to burn fat while also making your digestive system healthier and less likely to load excess fat.
Yuzu Can Reduce Harmful Blood Clots
If you cut yourself, you’re certainly going to need your blood to clot to stop the bleeding. However, internal blood clots can be quite dangerous as they block the flow of blood and lead to serious issues like heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms. Yuzu can help with this. A 2015 study shows that yuzu extract could slow platelet aggregation in human cells which leads to clumping, a precursor to a possible blood clot. This is likely due to the presence of hesperidin and naringin, both found in yuzu according to another study.
Yuzu Strengthens the Immune System
Because of the high content of Vitamin C and other vitamins as well as antioxidants, expect yuzu to give a big boost to your immune system. Vitamin C prevents malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea and reduces the severity and duration of numerous other respiratory tract infections as it builds up your immunity. Antioxidants also prevent damage to your immune cells caused by free radicals and yuzu is rich in antioxidants which also reduce the risk of bacterial infections and viruses.
Yuzu Battles Acne
Yuzu doesn’t like acne any more than the teens and young adults generally affected by it. While many coverups offer some recourse against the insecurity caused by acne, yuzu might be a better bet. Additionally, acne can cause permanent scarring. Both the vitamin A and vitamin C in yuzu do their jobs. Vitamin A acts as a protector, while vitamin C reduces swelling to minimize the appearance of the acne. Citric acid also helps with the removal of dead skin cells and as an exfoliant.
Yuzu’s Other Benefits for Your Skin
Yuzu has a toolbox full of items that keep your skin looking fantastic. Vitamin C activates the production of collagen so essential to healing cracked or dry skin as well as providing a shine. The vitamin C and vitamin A also do a great job naturally protecting your skin from the sun. Vitamin C also brightens the skin and yuzu has even been used historically to lighten the skin. Vitamin E and glutathione also pair up with vitamin C to promote further skin health.