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Limes are not ordinary. In fact, they are anything but ordinary. Limes come packed with many nutritional benefits. A single lime is said to give about 32% of our daily recommended amount of vitamin C and contains other antioxidants, and flavonoids essential for our overall well-being.
The easiest and most effective way to get the benefits of lime water is to squeeze some lime juice into the water and consume it. Limes are pocket-friendly and easy to carry. They can be carried in a lunch bag to work or can be juiced in advance and refrigerated to consume throughout the day.
No matter how it is done, one can definitely get the benefits of lime water easily and quickly, all the while making our daily consumption of water more fun and flavorful.
1. Nutrient Quotient of Lime
Lime is a type of citrus fruit that comes with numerous antioxidants. These antioxidants protect our body from damage due to free radicals or other chemical components that harm our cells.
Limes are also rich in:
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Vitamins A, B, C, D
2. Benefits of Lime Water
Limes have been used in traditional medicine for ages. Limes have many medicinal, cosmetic, and health benefits. Some of the benefits of lime water include:
2.1. Good for Heart Health
One of the main benefits of lime water is good heart health. The antioxidants that are present in lime help with the functioning of the circulatory system1 and enhance the health of arteries, which play a major role in pumping blood from the heart to other organs in the body.
Limes also contain two vital nutrients, namely potassium, and magnesium, which aid in good heart health. Potassium plays an important role in supporting blood health and circulation, while magnesium aids in the effective working of muscles.
The limonoids, which are present in limes, also enhance blood lipid levels in the body.
2.2. Clears Skin
Many chemical products in the market say that they can provide clearer, younger, and healthier skin, but instead of spending such huge amounts on those products, lime can come to your rescue.
One of the key benefits of lime water is clearer skin. Lime contains elements like vitamin C and flavonoids, which are antioxidants that are used to strengthen collagen2. Regularly consuming lime water can prevent dehydration and rejuvenate the skin.
Most topical skincare products also contain vitamin C and flavonoids. However, it is important to note that applying lime juice to your skin directly sometimes results in painful skin burns. It is always recommended to go for a patch test before applying anything to your face.
Lime juice is also used as a cleansing medium. A few drops of lime juice are added to shampoos and cleansing agents to increase their cleansing properties. Lime water is also by many to treat dandruff as well as to scrub dead skin cells. Sometimes, it is even used to treat bruises. They are also used as insect repellers in many houses.
2.3. Aids Digestion
Drinking lime water can also greatly help our digestion process. Limes help saliva break down food for better digestion. Moreover, the flavonoids that are present in limes also help in the secretion of digestive juices3.
Lime water also flushes out toxins and removes all the unwanted materials from our bodies. Even if someone is experiencing constipation, the acidity of limes can flush out the excretory system and stimulate more bowel activity without causing any side effects.
According to experts, drinking a warm glass of lime water 30 minutes before meals every day can keep heartburn at bay.
The numerous benefits that come with it are also why lime pickles are consumed along with breakfast and lunch in many countries worldwide.
2.4. Lowers Inflammation
Lowering inflammation is also one of the benefits of lime water. The vitamin C present in lime has anti-inflammation properties4, which can reduce the symptoms of arthritis and other similar conditions that cause joint pain difficulty.
Experts have found out that people who have a lower amount of vitamin C are three times more likely to develop arthritis and similar problems.
Lime water also has the ability to bring down uric acid levels5 in the body. Uric acid is nothing but the waste produced by the body when breaking down foods like meat, liver, and mushrooms. High levels of uric acid in the body can cause diseases like gout.
2.5. Helps Lose Weight
There isn’t anyone who does not want a fit body. But, losing weight is not as easy as it sounds; it is more of a herculean task.
One of the key benefits of lime water is that it helps to manage our weight. The citric acid present in lime helps boost our metabolism, helps us burn calories, and therefore stores less fat in our body.
However, it is important to indulge in regular physical activity and more controlled portion intake to lose excess pounds. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
Drinking a glass of lime water in the morning revives our metabolism and greatly helps in weight loss.
2.6. Boosts Immunity
The benefits of lime water also include boosting the health of the immune system. The vitamin C that is present in limes fights cold. They are also high in potassium, leading to more stimulation in the functioning of the brain and nerves and helping to control blood pressure levels.
The Ascorbic acid6 present in limes increases the absorption of iron in our body. Irons can play a major role in increasing the immune function of the body. Limes also contain saponins, which have antimicrobial properties to keep flu at bay and reduce phlegm production in the body.
Limes, in general, help give our immune system a healthy boost and are also involved in many important functions that aid in the overall well-being of the body.
2.7. Helps With Diabetes
Most people do not know that the benefits of lime water also include helping with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has stated that limes and other citrus fruits are superfoods for diabetes because of their numerous health benefits.
It is mainly because limes contain high levels of soluble fiber, which are ideal for regulating the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream, thereby reducing blood sugar spikes, which can pose a severe risk to diabetic patients.
Limes and other citrus fruits have a low glycemic index7, which indicates that they will not cause any unprecedented spike in glucose levels in our bodies.
2.8. Balances pH Levels
Balancing pH levels in our body is also one of the numerous benefits of lime water. Lemons are considered one of the best alkalizing foods for our bodies. Lemons contain citric and ascorbic acid, which are weak acids that are easily metabolized from the body, thereby allowing the mineral contents present in lime to alkalize the blood.
Diseases usually only occur when the body’s pH levels are acidic. Drinking lime water regularly helps remove the overall acidity of the body to a great extent, including uric acid in joints, which are among the major causes of pain and inflammation.
2.9. Treats Respiratory Issues
Another major one among the other benefit of lime water is that it is used effectively to treat respiratory disorders. The flavonoid-rich oil is extracted from limes and used in vaporizers, balms, inhalers, and so much more.
Even just scratching lemon peel and inhaling it gives instant relief from nausea as well as congestion.
2.10. Prevents Cancer
The benefits of lime water also include keeping cancer at bay. Cancer is a fatal disease caused due to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in our bodies. It can develop in any part of the body, like the lungs, kidneys, and breasts.
Consuming lime water regularly to a great extent keeps cancer at bay and helps you to fight the disease. The numerous antioxidants present in limes promote the healthy growth of the cells and enhance the functioning of the immune system.
Read more about the health benefits of lime water.
3. Lime Water: How To Prepare?
3.1. Preparation of Lime Water
Take a glass of lukewarm water. It is better to avoid ice-cold water as the body may take more energy to process cold water than warm water.
It is always recommended to use fresh organic lemons rather than bottled lemon juice.
Now, squeeze ½ a lemon for each glass and try to drink it as the first thing when you wake up or before meals or work out.
TIP: You can also add a little bit of ginger or mint leaves as per your preferences.
3.2. Additional Information
- Plain water can sometimes be boring to drink. And if you are someone who does not prefer tea and coffee and is looking for a sweet drink, lime water is the one for you. It is nutritious, refreshing, and fun.
- Lime water also energizes you and enhances your mood, and that is one of the key reasons to kickstart your day with lime water. Apart from these, the benefits of lime water are numerous.
- Therefore including lime water along with our everyday meals will have a positive impact on our overall health.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
4.1. Is it good to drink lime every day?
Yes! Lime is filled with vitamin C and antioxidants which helps in balancing pH level and maintaining good digestion.
4.2. How much time should we put in the water?
One full lime in one glass of water is generally used by people.
4.3. Is lime acidic or alkaline?
Lime is naturally alkaline which reacts with acid.
4.4. Is lime water better cold or hot?
Lime with warm water taken on an empty stomach will be beneficial for digestion and the process of elimination. however, lime with cold water or ice is taken as a refreshing drink when it is hot in the summer.
Marilyn Rose A. Lacorte, RN (Medical Professional, Proofreading)
- Mamede, Alexandra Mara Goulart Nunes, et al. “Lemon.” Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Vegetables. Academic Press, 2020. 377-392. ↩︎
- Sutkowska, Joanna, et al. “The stimulating effect of rosmarinic acid and extracts from rosemary and lemon balm on collagen type I biosynthesis in osteogenesis imperfecta type I skin fibroblasts.” Pharmaceutics 13.7 (2021): 938. ↩︎
- Vujčić Bok, Valerija, Ivana Šola, and Gordana Rusak. “Lemon Juice Formulations Modulate In Vitro Digestive Recovery of Spinach Phytochemicals.” Food technology and biotechnology 60.3 (2022): 293-307. ↩︎
- Basli, Abdelkader, et al. “In-vitro antioxidant and anti-Inflammatory activities of peel and peeled fruits citrus limon.” Current Nutrition & Food Science 12.4 (2016): 279-287. ↩︎
- Wang, Hongjing, et al. “Lemon fruits lower the blood uric acid levels in humans and mice.” Scientia Horticulturae 220 (2017): 4-10. ↩︎
- Foyer, Christine H. “Ascorbic acid.” Antioxidants in higher plants. CRC press, 2017. 31-58. ↩︎
- Brand, Janette C., et al. “Low-glycemic index foods improve long-term glycemic control in NIDDM.” Diabetes care 14.2 (1991): 95-101. ↩︎
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