The Top Benefits of Lime and How You Can Use Them
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You might think of limes as the tiny little fruits that are typically used to spruce up your favorite summer beverages and dishes.
But did you know that this citrus fruit can do so much more? In fact, if you consider the many health benefits of lime, it’s clear that this fruit isn’t just great for making drinks taste better – it’s also extremely beneficial for your overall health.
Check out these top health benefits of lime to learn more about how you can use this citrus fruit to improve your diet and your overall health!
Why limes are acidic
As a citrus fruit, limes are acidic. This is mainly due to citric acid, which is found in abundance in limes. In fact, they contain more citric acid than any other type of citrus fruit, making them particularly beneficial to health.
While scientists are still unsure exactly how it works (only that there's a link), consuming lime has been shown to improve hydration levels as well as prevent kidney stones from forming or worsening when consumed regularly.
That’s why you should be consuming two or three limes every day for an optimal intake If you don’t have easy access to fresh limes on a regular basis, use dried versions instead they’re just as effective in your daily diet.
Simply place the whole or ground form of the dried fruits into soups, stews, salads, smoothies, and drinks.
But whatever you do make sure to keep at least one fresh lime handy for garnishing dishes like tacos, fish dishes, and salads so you can reap all the benefits of this superfood!
Not only are limes delicious with many types of food and drink, but they also pack numerous health benefits. Not only can eating foods containing fresh limes help prevent kidney stones from forming, but they may also help increase your water intake by increasing thirst over time.
Why? The citric acid contained within stimulates renal secretion while simultaneously increasing sodium excretion via urine.
In addition to being high in nutrients such as vitamins A and C that support immunity and skin cell regeneration respectively, these wonderful fruits might also promote good digestive health too thanks to their antibacterial properties.
With their ability to stimulate gastric juices and kill bad bacteria, the consumption of limes may reduce the risk of stomach issues such as heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and indigestion.
Limes are also packed with potassium - a mineral essential for regulating blood pressure - alongside antioxidants which help fight cancer cells and slow down ageing processes.
And if that wasn't enough reason to start stocking up on these nutritious goodies then consider this: adding lime juice to water improves its taste without affecting its pH balance. Talk about a healthy beverage!
Importance of limes in your diet
Limes are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re especially rich in vitamin C which aids in absorbing iron, helps protect your cells from free radicals, is necessary for healthy connective tissue formation.
And helps dissolve mucus in your respiratory tract so you can get a good night’s sleep. In addition to helping prevent infection, vitamin C also plays an important role in healing wounds by accelerating collagen production (collagen is what keeps our skin firm).
Also known as an anti-oxidant that can neutralize free radicals before they damage your cells. Vitamin A has been shown to slow the progression of cataracts and glaucoma reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
Improve immunity, decrease dryness in the eyes, increase bone density and even help reduce infections.
Along with Vitamin C, this amazing fruit also contains potassium which assists your heart muscles in contracting properly while regulating blood pressure; folate or folic acid which promotes cellular growth and development.
Magnesium or manganese which protects against coronary artery disease; calcium or copper which regulates nerve signals; lycopene - an antioxidant carotenoid found only in fruits that may help ward off some cancers like prostate cancer but only if consumed regularly.
Zest where there's more than just citrus flavoring! A dash of lime juice can add tartness to almost any dish. Spices up many foods, including fish, pasta sauces, beef stews and green salads.
Adds color to rice dishes without adding extra calories. Squeeze it on chicken or use it as part of a marinade when grilling. For vegetarians who don't eat dairy products, fresh lime juice makes the perfect substitute for sour cream on baked potatoes and tacos.
And I don't know about you but nothing goes better with guacamole than a squeeze of lime! That being said, one of the most popular questions asked on gardening forums is how to grow limes? Though it might seem daunting at first glance.
Growing limes isn't too hard! There are many varieties available such as 'Mexican Sour' which have thinner skins and larger seeds, 'Key West' which have juicy flesh and lots of juice.
Experimenting with different varieties might be worth your time since different types work best in certain situations (ie. not all will do well outdoors), so ask around at garden centers for advice on how to plant these guys! Another thing you should keep in mind is the climate because limes need a warmer temperature than most other citrus trees to thrive.
Limes keep your immune system strong
Lemons are already known for their immune-boosting benefits, but lime is an excellent source of vitamin C as well. Limes have nearly twice as much vitamin C than lemons, which can help your body fight off viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders.
They’re also an excellent source of folate and iron—both of which are essential to a healthy immune system. In fact, several studies have shown that people who drink tea made with lime or lemon have fewer colds than those who don’t.
It makes sense: Adding a little citrus to your diet might help keep you feeling strong by giving your body a good dose of nutrients it needs for optimal health.
Not only does it pack vitamins A, B6, C, D, E and K into one delicious fruit, but limes are also a great source of potassium (great for balancing out sodium) and magnesium (a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure).
In addition to helping the digestive tract work more efficiently due to its high fiber content, limes may even help reduce the risk of colon cancer thanks to its beta carotene content.
The flavonoids in this food protect cells from damage caused by free radicals; in addition they act as powerful antioxidants! Research has shown that dietary intake of flavonoids lowers risk of heart disease mortality and helps prevent chronic diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
These phytonutrients may also boost the absorption of important minerals such as calcium, copper, iron and zinc. Limes also promote feelings of fullness and decrease hunger.
Drinking water mixed with fresh lime juice first thing in the morning will not only help you break down fat faster during exercise, but it'll also leave you feeling energized throughout the day.
Need some extra carbs? Pairing citrus fruits with whole grains is a perfect way to enjoy a high-protein meal. Plus, since most commercial breads use processed white flour, this combo will provide the natural fibers and micronutrients that make whole grains so nutritious.
Citrus fruits can be used in desserts too! For example, try substituting grapefruit for pineapple chunks when making key lime pie. Be sure to share your favorites below in the comments.
Lemons have been used for thousands of years to treat health problems ranging from stomach disorders to viral infections They're believed to contain several nutrients that make them valuable health boosters.
Vitamins C and B6 are two well-known vitamins in lemons, which are known to reduce stress levels while boosting immune system response.
Lemons contain more vitamin C than oranges do: A single lemon contains 46% of an adult’s daily value (DV) of vitamin C, while an orange contains 23%.
Limes have anti-aging properties
Did you know that just by juicing half a lime, you can easily enhance your immune system? It’s true! Limonene has anti-aging properties as well as other powerful antioxidants, making it good for rejuvenating your skin.
The best thing about it is that you don’t have to wait too long to see results either. Simply add a slice or two into your juice every morning in addition to using an overall healthy lifestyle (think proper nutrition and regular exercise) and you will have softer.
More radiant skin in no time! Limes are also great for weight loss: If you drink one glass of water with the juice from one lime each day, you can lose up to 10 pounds in a year.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should swap out all your meals with water though because hydration is important. All it means is that adding the citrus flavor of limes to your water does wonders for both taste and weight loss.
Limes are excellent for hair growth: Combine one tablespoon lemon juice with three tablespoons honey and apply directly onto scalp twice daily before bedtime.
This simple treatment will help promote hair growth while fighting dandruff at the same time! And last but not least, lemons are wonderful for maintaining oral health: Even if you don’t like how lemons taste, keep in mind that they do wonders for maintaining oral health! A few drops of lemon juice mixed with water after brushing is all it takes to fight tooth decay.
In fact, some studies show that those who regularly consume lemonade or take vitamin C tablets have healthier teeth than those who don’t. It's recommended that you use one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and mix it with eight ounces of water.
Drink this mixture every day and you'll be amazed at the difference it makes on your teeth. But what if you're feeling adventurous? Mix the juice of a lemon with coconut oil and then put the mixture in your mouth; swish it around for 5 minutes before spitting it out. Repeat this once per week for whiter teeth.
It's been shown that people who make these changes have stronger nails and stronger hair too! Try these treatments today to start seeing results tomorrow--plus, there are many more benefits we didn't even mention here.
Other benefits of limes
Aside from containing vitamin C, limes also contain iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. A popular drink in Central America is called horchata de chufa. It’s made with rice milk, almonds or peanuts and cinnamon.
Its traditional flavor comes from lime zest. Its creamy texture comes from coconut milk. The recipe uses cilantro for additional flavor. In the United States, a similar dish is known as rice pudding.
So there you have it! The top benefits of lime that we have learned today and how you can use them to your advantage! There are so many ways to incorporate these citrus fruits into your diet whether they be added to beverages, eaten by themselves or used in various recipes.
Regardless of what you choose, one thing remains true: there are plenty of reasons why limes are worth adding into your daily routine.
As you can see, limes offer a wide range of health benefits no matter their state. Whether you opt for fresh green limes or bottled juice products at local stores, it’s clear that they should be a part of your day-to-day life.
Make sure to try out some of our favorite recipes as well such as tacos with cilantro lime chicken or grilled shrimp with coconut lime sauce! If you’re feeling really adventurous, give some dips and side dishes using chili sauce with roasted corn on the cob a shot for when guests come over for dinner.
We know that limes may not seem like much, but just wait until you hear about all the delicious recipes you'll be able to make with this little fruit! Some of our favorites include Taco Night, Fish Tacos and Grilled Shrimp with Coconut Lime Sauce.
Just remember that the possibilities are endless because no matter what time of year it is, or which ingredients you're in need of - there's always a way to incorporate limes into your diet! Let us know if you enjoyed reading about the benefits of limes and don't forget to let us know which recipes you want to try.
One of the biggest reasons why people love citrus fruits so much is because they tend to have a rather strong taste that helps lift up other flavors in foods.
That’s why it seems like every recipe you look up has them included one way or another! For example, take taco night – who doesn’t love a good taco? Well, tacos would probably never be complete without including lime – whether it be squeezed right onto tortillas before adding meat and cheese or chopped up alongside lettuce leaves for homemade salsa.
Fresh wedges are also great additions to meals such as seafood entrees (yum!) or Mexican dinners (double yum!).
These tasty fruits even go great with lemon flavored dishes too! Those of you who enjoy a touch of spicy in your recipes will be delighted to know that limes are an excellent addition to any hot sauce, guacamole or jalapeno popper! Add a dash to the batter for deep fried fish or throw it into soup for extra flavor Lime is also great for salads and salsas.
We’ve barely scratched the surface with mentioning just a few ways to utilize limes, but it’s time to wrap up this blog post! Remember that there are plenty of ways you can add lime into your daily routines as well as trying out new recipes too! We hope you enjoy these tips and leave us a comment below letting us know what recipes you tried out first.
We’ll be back next week with more recipes and a review of summer fruits! P.S. I think my personal favorite is the chipotle lime dipping sauce from Costco, what’s yours? -Eating limes by themselves.
-Adding them to a refreshing glass of water.
-Chopping them up for some homemade salsa.
-Pouring lime juice into cocktails or wine.
-Including them in recipes for things such as tacos, salsas, soups and guacamoles. -Stirring them into drinks for a tart and refreshing flavor.
-Marinating your food in lime juice for a tangy, tender dish.
-Using them to brighten up the atmosphere of your home with some essential oils.
-Squeezing them into a smoothie or oatmeal to get some calcium, vitamin C and iron!
