The health benefits of lime include weight loss, improved digestion, reduced respiratory and urinary disorders, relief from constipation, and treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcer, gout, and gums. It also aids in skincare and eye care.
You may think limes are not that impressive unless they are garnishing your favorite drink. Or you are vacationing where cocktails such as margaritas, mojitos are mixed at 8:00 am. Well, we want you to think again! There are many health benefits to lime other than drowning your sorrows in Key Largo!
The pericarp may be described in lime, bearing the scientific name Citrus aurantifolia, has been well known for its medicinal properties and uses in the treatment of various ailments for ages. Due to its unique flavor, the lime fruit is widely consumed all over the world and has multiple culinary and non-culinary uses. It is also used in the preparation of various cosmetics, health products. Extracted from the limes peel or skin, and the lime essential oil is extensively used in aromatherapy and perfumes.
Lime Nutrition Facts
Lime consists of water and is an excellent source of vitamin C. It is also rich in dietary fiber and minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, and phosphorous. Limes also contains Thiamin and Riboflavin.
The best thing about lime is that it has the least amount of calories, carbohydrates, and fats. Moreover, lime peel and pulp are also rich in diverse phytochemicals like polyphenols and terpenes.
Source: USDA
A medium sized (67g) lime contains 19.5mg of Vitamin-C providing 22% of you daily need.
Health Benefits Of Lime
Everyone knows that limes are an excellent source of vitamin C and can keep those scurvy pirates away, but did you know all the other health benefits of limes? Limes can do a lot more for our skin and overall health than just adding a refreshing zest to any drink, cleansing our body, and boosting immunity. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits lime offers.
Manages Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, limes and other citrus fruits are considered a superfood for diabetes for many reasons. Mainly, high levels of soluble fiber found in limes make it ideal for dietary support to help regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, reducing the occurrence of blood sugar spikes that are a severe risk to diabetic patients. Also, lime and other citrus fruits have a low glycemic index, which means they will not cause an unexpected spike in glucose levels.
Prevents Heart Diseases
That same soluble fiber which can help people with diabetes maintain their blood sugar levels can also lower blood pressure and eliminate the presence of LDL cholesterol (bad” cholesterol). Soluble fiber can cut down on inflammation of the blood vessels. It is a known preventative measure against heart diseases, heart attacks, and strokes.
Treats Respiratory Disorders
The flavonoid-rich oil extracted from limes is extensively used in anti-congestive medicines such as balms, vaporizers, and inhalers due to the presence of kaempferol. Just scratching the peel of a lime and inhaling it gives immediate relief from congestion and nausea.
Skin Care
Lime juice can be consumed orally and used in topical applications. It rejuvenates the skin and protects it from infections. It also helps reduce body odor due to the presence of high amounts of vitamin C and flavonoids in it. Both lime juice and lime essential oil are high in antioxidants and have antibiotic and disinfectant properties.
When applied externally to the skin its acids scrub out dead cells and cure dandruff, rashes, and bruises. It can also be used to create a refreshing bathing experience if its juice or oil is mixed in your bath.
Artizen Lime Essential Oil
Aids in Digestion
Lime has an irresistible aroma which causes your mouth to water, and this primarily aids digestion (the digestive saliva floods your mouth even before you taste it). The natural acidity of lime does the rest.
While they break down the macromolecules of the food, the flavonoids, the compounds found in the fragrant oils extracted from lime, stimulate the digestive system and increase secretion of digestive juices, bile, and acids. This flood of flavonoids also encourages peristaltic motion. Eating lime pickles is the reason behind consumed along with lunch and dinner in India and various neighboring countries.
Weight Loss
A glass of warm water with a full lime’s worth of juice is an excellent weight reducer as well as a brilliant refresher and antioxidant drink. The citric acid present in lime is an excellent fat burner. You can consume two glasses of warm water with lime juice a day and see remarkable results within a week.
Lucy’s Family Owned – Lime Juice, 32 oz. Bottle (Pack of 2)
Relieves Constipation
Primarily, the ample amount of acid present in lime helps clear the excretory system by washing and cleaning the tracts, just as some acids are used to clean floors and toilets. The roughage in lime is also helpful in easing constipation. An overdose of lime juice with salt also acts as an excellent purgative without any side effects, thereby relieving constipation.
Cures Fever
If someone is suffering from a fever, limes or lime juice can be of great importance. Citrus fruits, in general, have fever-reducing qualities because vitamin C found in high concentrations in them, which naturally lowers the temperature of the body.
Eye Care
Vitamin-C again! Its antioxidant properties protect eyes from aging and macular degeneration. On top of that, flavonoids help protect them from infections.
Heals Peptic Ulcer
In addition to vitamin C, lime contains particular compounds called flavonoids (limonoids such as limonin glucoside) which have antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, antibiotic, and detoxifying properties that stimulate the healing process of peptic and oral ulcers.
Uses Of Limes
Limes have many surprising medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic uses. Below are some of them.
Culinary Uses – Lime helps enhance the taste of any regular food. When pan-fried white fish garnished with thinly sliced lime, it makes the dish more delicious. Lime juice adds a tart flavor to soups, salads, vegetables, and also baked foods. Squeezing some lime on a roasted chicken can add a tangy taste to it. It is also widely used in the preparation of desserts, pickles, jams, jellies, snacks, and candies.
Cleansing Agent – It can efficiently increase the cleansing properties of any facial cleanser or shampoo by merely adding 2-3 drops of it.
Diffusing lime essential oil can cleanse the air and elevate your mood. Or get a refreshing bathing experience with lime slices and essential oil mixed in your bath.
Conclusion
To sum up, limes can be eaten as fruits, juice or used in a lot of dishes and cocktails. Limes are very rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that offer health benefits. Consuming limes in a daily basis offers strengthen your immune system and reduce risks of many diseases. So try to keep it in your daily meal to gain health benefits of this little fruit.