The citrus fruit is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which benefit your overall health. Just one lime with a diameter of two inches has 32 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. These nutrients may also help support your heart health, reduce your risk of asthma, and promote glowing skin. Besides the juice, you can use the peel to add flavor to dishes.
Limes contain many antioxidants and is suitable for your health - Photo by César Guel
What Are Limes?
Limes are a type of citrus fruit. They are typically round and green in color and measure anywhere from three to six centimeters in diameter. The fruit's juice is found in vesicles, making the citrus very acidic. Its flavor is a popular addition to cocktails and other drinks.
Limes are available all year round and can be purchased individually or bulk. They can also be frozen. Limes are sold by the pound, but prices can go up during periods of low supply. To grow limes at home, you must live in a warm climate. If you live in a colder region, you may want to consider container planting.
These fruits have an acidic flavor with a hint of sweetness. The zest of a lime can be added to marinades or salad dressings. The zest can also be mashed into butter to make compound butter. You can also use lime juice in drinks, sauces, and desserts. They're often used in lemonade and other beverages.
A lime contains many antioxidants and is suitable for your health. It also helps fight bacteria. Its essential oils can improve the condition of your skin. Some of them are used in anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor medications. They can also help with heart disease.
Nutrition Facts of Limes
Limes contain very little protein. The average lime has less than one gram of protein. It includes a modest amount of carbohydrates, with 2.8 grams of it coming from fiber. However, limes are high in vitamin C, which provides you with nearly one-third of your daily vitamin C requirements. They also contain a moderate amount of zinc, magnesium, and calcium. Limes are good for your heart and digestive system and can lower cancer risk.
Nutrition facts of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of lime include:
- Calories 30
- Fat 0.2 g
- Sodium 2 mg
- Potassium 102 mg - 2% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Carbohydrates 11 g - 3% of the DV
- Fiber 2.8 g - 11% of the DV
- Sugar 1.7 g
- Protein 0.7 g - 1% of the DV
- Vitamin C 48% of the DV
- Iron 3% of the DV
- Magnesium 1% of the DV
- Calcium 3% of the DV
Vitamins and Minerals
Limes are packed with vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. While overshadowed by the more famous lemon, limes have several benefits that make them an essential part of the daily diet. They contain almost one-quarter of your daily vitamin C requirement, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Moreover, they also have small amounts of other nutrients, including vitamins A and C.
Limes are packed with vitamin C, a major antioxidant in the body. One small lime contains about 20 milligrams of vitamin C, which helps support the immune system. Limes also contain folate, potassium, and vitamin B6. Antioxidants can help prevent diseases, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy skin.
In addition, vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid, and it protects cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also boosts the body's circulation, improves cardiovascular health, and speeds wound healing. Because ascorbic acid helps repair damaged cell membranes, it can also help prevent colds, flu, and ear infections.
Health Benefits of Limes
Lime is a fruit rich in antioxidants that are good for the body. These compounds are thought to prevent the progression of many chronic diseases. They may also improve the body's immune system and lower the risk of heart disease.
In addition, limes and lemons are both great additions to a balanced diet. They can be eaten whole or sliced and can be used in recipes. They are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, including vitamin B6 and folate. This citrus fruit has been known to help people with asthma. Depending on your goals and taste, you may want to start incorporating limes into your daily diet.
Limes are loaded with vitamins and minerals, and they contain over 20% of your daily vitamin C requirement. They also have small amounts of calcium, iron, and vitamin B6. Limes also contain antioxidants, which help the body fight free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells and have been linked to various health problems, including cancer.
Besides, they also contain high amounts of limonins, which help fight inflammation and lower the risk of chronic illnesses. Additionally, citric acid in limes can reduce the risk of kidney stones. Folate, riboflavin, and magnesium in limes may help prevent anemia and improve iron absorption.
Side Effects
Although limes are generally safe for consumption, they have some side effects. These effects include nausea and stomach problems, and you should limit your intake. For example, you should not drink lime water or juice. You should also avoid consuming limes if you have kidney problems. Also, if you have a food allergy, you should avoid them, as it can cause digestive issues.
Some limes have a high concentration of citric acid, which poses a risk for stomach ulcers. Ulcers occur in the stomach or small intestine, where the acid damages the mucus lining and can cause painful sores. Since the stomach already produces several acids, the extra citric acid from excessive lime juice can irritate the stomach. If you have a history of stomach ulcers, cutting back on your lime intake may be the best way to prevent the condition.
Tips on Including Limes in Meal
One of the best ways to include limes in your meal is to mash them. This will help the juice come out. When mashing a lime, remove the zest, which can be pretty bitter. You can also try using lime juice as a marinade.
Before juicing a lime, it's essential to let it cool a bit. Using a juicer can make the process easier, but you can also do it by hand. If you don't have a juicer, you can warm the lime in a bowl of warm water. It's also essential to wash the fruit before juicing it because bacteria and dirt can contaminate limes.
When you don't feel like juicing a lime right away, you can freeze it in an airtight container. The juice will keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator. Once frozen, the juice will lose flavor after four days. Another option is to freeze sliced limes. These can be put in an airtight container in the refrigerator or put in a zip-top bag.
