Impressive Health Benefits of Lime 🍋

The health benefits of lime are numerous and include weight loss, improved digestion, reduced respiratory disorders, enhanced immunity, and relief from constipation. Lime is also used in the treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcer, gout, and gums. It also aids in skincare, hair care, and eye care and may help lower the risk of developing cancer.

What is Lime?

Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is a small, round, green-color hybrid citrus fruit. Due to its acidic sour juice and unique aroma, the lime fruit is widely used in various cuisines to accent flavor. It is a common ingredient in Mexican, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine. There are several species of citrus fruits referred to as limes including key lime, kaffir lime, wild lime, desert lime, and Persian lime.

This zesty, tropical fruit has been well known for its medicinal properties for ages. Lime finds its application in cosmetic and health products, too. Extracted from the lime’s peel or skin, the lime essential oil is extensively used in aromatherapy and perfumes.

Lime Nutrition
Predominantly known for its ascorbic acid reserves, lime provides 32 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. It has high water content and important vitamins and minerals like magnesium and potassium, as well as vitamins like folate, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

The best thing about limes is that they are low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, a single serving (67 g) of lime provides 20 kcal of energy. Moreover, lime peel and pulp are rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, flavonol glycosides like kaempferol, as well as diverse phytochemicals like polyphenols, limonene, and terpenes.

Health Benefits of Lime

Skin Care
Lime juice contains healthy acids and helps remove dead cells when applied to the skin. It builds collagen, rejuvenates the skin, and improves overall texture.

Vitamin C protects the skin from infections as well as cures rashes, acne, pimples, bruises, and blemishes, as per a study in the journal Nutrition flavonoids contained in limes also inhibit microbial growth, which helps prevent gum bleeding.

It fights skin damage caused due to sun, dust, and pollution. Its antioxidant and astringent properties can help reduce wrinkles, as well as diminish dark spots, skin tan, and open pores. You can create a refreshing bathing experience by just adding this juice to your bath. It also helps reduce body odor.

For ages, the use of lime has been a well-known cure for scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. It is characterized by frequent infections that show normal cold symptoms, cracked lips, and lip corners.

Weight Loss
A study conducted on mice shows that the essential oils present in lime prevented weight gain and excess food consumption. Also, the citric acid present in it is an excellent fat burner. A glass of warm water with the juice of an entire lime can be effective as an excellent weight reducer.

How to use: Consume two glasses of warm water with lime juice a day to reap benefits in a few days.

Manages Blood Sugar
The high levels of soluble fiber found in lime make it effective in helping to regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This helps reduce the occurrence of blood sugar spikes that are a serious risk to diabetic patients.

Also, limes and other citrus fruits have a low glycemic index, which means they will not cause any significant or unexpected spikes in glucose levels. This is the reason why the American Diabetes Association considers limes and other citrus fruits a superfood for diabetes.

Prevents Heart Diseases
A study led by Dr. Frank Hu, professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School, suggests that foods rich in vitamin C have a protective effect against coronary heart disease. Additionally, soluble fiber and limonin found in limes help lower blood pressure.

This helps reduce the inflammation of the blood vessels and further aids in reducing the risk of heart diseases. Also, potassium and magnesium in limes improves blood circulation and boosts heart health.

Vitamin C in lime juice and lime peels may help lower ischemic stroke risks, according to an animal study published in the journal ARYA Atherosclerosis. It also helps slow down the progression of coronary heart diseases like atherosclerosis by decreasing fatty streaks in arteries.

Hesperidin, a flavonoid present in lime, helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body which is another heart-healthy benefit!

Relieves Inflammation
Citrus fruits, in general, have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for a number of inflammatory issues.

One of the many causes of arthritis is an excess build-up of uric acid in the body. The citric acid found in limes is a solvent in which uric acid can dissolve. Increasing citric acid in the body helps eliminate excess uric acid from the urine.

Prevents Kidney Stone
The citric acid in fresh or concentrated lime juice helps remove and prevent kidney stones by increasing urinary citrate and urine volume, according to a 2007 study from the journal Urology by Dr. Kristina Penniston, Division of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison.

Another study showed that consuming lemonade for nearly four years decreased kidney stone formation from an average of one stone per year down to just 0.13 per year. Therefore, this may be used as the first line of natural therapy.

Side Effects

Although limes do not have major side effects, excessive intake may cause some issues like:

• Skin allergy: Itchiness, redness, and swelling.
• Food allergy: Hives, asthma, and flushed skin.
• Eroded enamel: Over-consumption may erode the tooth enamel and increase its sensitivity due to the high amount of citric acid.
• Phytophotodermatitis: In some cases, applying the lime juice to the skin directly may increase skin sensitivity to UV rays, resulting in phytophotodermatitis.
• Migraine trigger: Tyramine present in the citrus fruit can cause a migraine trigger in some people.