Have you ever wondered what uses and benefits one can derive from Lime? In this article, we have compiled a list of lime uses and health benefits. We have also listed here in this article other uses of Lime. But first, let’s get to know what lime is.
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What is Lime?
Lime fruit is a citrus plant, usually round and green. It is about 3-6 cm in diameter and contains vesicles of acid juices. There are several species of citrus fruits whose fruits are called limes. They include Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), Persian lime, Kaffir Lime, and Desert lime. Limes are a rich source of vitamin C. They are acidic and are often used to accentuate the flavors of food and drinks. The uses and benefits of Lime are quite enormous and we shall be looking into them in detail. Keep reading to find out more.
Lime Uses and BenefitsÂ
Lime has many advantages. Limes contain many rich nutrients. These nutrients can help increase immunity, reduce risk factors for heart disease, prevent kidney stones, promote iron absorption and promote healthy skin. The consumption of Lime or Lime juice has many health benefits and uses. Below are some of them.
1. It Can Improve Immunity
Limes are rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that can help strengthen your immune system.
Firstly, Vitamin C helps to increase the production of white blood cells and helping to protect the body from infections and diseases.
Again, in human studies, taking vitamin C has helped reduce the duration and severity of colds.
Additionally, vitamin C can facilitate the healing of injuries faster by reducing inflammation and stimulating collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein for wound repair.
2. This Can Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Studies have shown that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world.
Research shows that Limes can reduce several risk factors for heart disease.
For starters, they are rich in vitamin C, which can help reduce high blood pressure, an important risk factor for heart disease.
In addition, vitamin C can protect against atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries, making them too narrow.
3. Good Source of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are important compounds that protect your cells against molecules known as free radicals. In large quantities, free radicals can damage your cells. These injuries are associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and many types of cancer.
Limes are rich in active compounds that act as antioxidants in your body, including flavonoids, limonoids, kaempferol, quercetin, and ascorbic acid. Thus, reducing problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
4. Increase Iron Absorption
Iron is an essential nutrient necessary for the production of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen in the body.
The low concentration of iron in the blood can cause iron-deficiency anemia. Signs of iron deficiency anemia include difficulty breathing during exercise, fatigue, paleness and dry skin and hair.
People who follow a vegan or vegan diet have a higher risk of iron deficiency anemia because herbal products contain a less absorbed form of iron than iron in meat and other animal products.
Vitamin C-rich foods, such as limes, can help prevent iron deficiency anemia by improving iron absorption through plant-based foods.
For example, a study of people on a vegetarian diet found that drinking a glass of lemonade (8.5 ounces or 250 ml), as well as a plant-based meal, increased iron absorption. 70%
5. Limes Can Reduce the Risk of Certain Types of Cancer.
Cancer is a disease that associates itself with abnormal cell growth.
Citrus fruits have compounds that lower the risk of certain types of cancer.
In particular, flavonoids, which act as antioxidants, can help stop the expression of genes that promote cancer progression.
In addition, sample studies indicate that citrus fruits can inhibit the growth or spread of the colon, throat, pancreas, breasts, bone marrow, lymphoma, and other cancer cells.
6. Anti-aging Properties
With aging and UV exposure, melanin, which gives skin color, can increase and accumulate on the skin, causing black spots and other signs of aging. Lime peel inhibits melanin production. Rubbing your skin with lime zest or applying a facial mask that contains pieces of lime peel can significantly reduce this hyperpigmentation.
7. It Can Prevent Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small mineral crystals that are often difficult to transmit. They can form in the kidneys when the urine concentrate is high or when the urine contains many stones, such as calcium, in the urine.
Citrus fruits, such as limes, are rich in citric acid, which can prevent kidney stones by increasing citrate levels and joining minerals that form stones in the urine.
For example, one study found that people who ate more citrus had a significantly lower risk of kidney stones.
8. As an Astringent
Astringents are effective in causing temporary muscle firming. This is why they are often used in beauty and skincare products to improve the appearance of your facial skin. Lime oil has astringent properties and can be used to tighten pores and temporarily reduce oil production for a brighter, more flawless complexion. Also, due to its astringent properties, lime helps to cure toothache and strengthen gums. It also tightens loose muscles. It is extremely beneficial for those who are recovering from an injury and is useful for relieving pain in muscles and joints.
9. Aids Digestion
The refreshing aroma of lime can make your mouth water even before eating it. The acids present in this fruit facilitate digestion by breaking down the macromolecules of food. Flavonoids are compounds found in scented oil extracted from the lime. These compounds stimulate the digestive system by increasing the secretion of digestive juices, bile, and acids.
10. It Could Promote Healthy Skin
Limes have several properties that can promote healthy skin.
First, they are rich in vitamin C, necessary for the production of collagen, a protein that keeps the skin firm and strong. The medium lime (67 grams) provides more than 20% of the RDI of this nutrient.
For example, a study of more than 4,000 women found that those who consumed more vitamin C were less likely to have wrinkles and dry skin as they got older.
Secondly, limes are rich in antioxidants, which can help fight skin changes associated with aging.
Oxidative stress is a condition resulting from an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. This can lead to signs of premature aging.
A study in mice revealed that the consumption of a citrus drink had a positive effect on some of these signs by reducing wrinkles and increasing collagen production, for example.
The citric acid in lime peels can remove dead skin cells. They are often used in beauty treatments in spas and in-home remedies to improve the health and appearance of facial skin.
Excessive exposure to the sun can damage the skin. Lime juice can be used to eliminate this effect. All you need to do is prepare a facial mask by mixing gram flour (kiss) with curd (dahi) and adding lime juice to this mixture. Apply this paste evenly on your skin and let it dry. Now wash your face with water and dry it. This mask should be applied weekly for the best results.
11. Treats Acne and Imperfections
Acne, pimples, and imperfections occur when dirt, oil, and dead skin cells clog pores. Acne and pimples are common problems in people with oily skin. Bacteria in the pores of the face aggravate inflammation and increase redness and pain. The antibiotic properties of lime juice inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for acne. To fight acne and pimples, you can prepare a facial mask with lemon juice and honey. While honey has antibacterial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria, the acidic nature of lemon juice will control the excess oil. This mask should be worn every week as part of your skincare treatment. The scars left by the pimples can be lightened by applying fresh lime juice.
12. Glowing and Radiant Skin
For a radiant complexion, all you need to do is regularly drink a glass of warm water with honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice early in the morning. This will provide an internal glow to your skin. Lime helps to rejuvenate the skin and protect it from infections, thanks to its antioxidant, disinfectant and antibiotic properties.
Again, Lime juice is considered a natural bleach due to its lightening properties for the skin. It can be used to lighten black spots. All you need to do is apply it with a cotton ball on the dark parts of your skin and let it sit for 30 minutes. You can also use this remedy to lighten the dark armpits.
13. Treatment of the Hair
Firstly, oily hair is caused by the secretion of an excess of oil called sebum by the sebaceous glands, which gives your hair a sticky, greasy and dull appearance. Lime juice, with its oil-absorbing property, removes excess oil from the scalp. Rubbing a slice of lemon on the scalp for a few minutes before rinsing it can also help remove excess oil from the scalp and hair. Alternatively, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice in the water and rinse your hair with it to remove excess oil.
Secondly, Lime juice is beneficial in promoting hair growth. It has been used for a long time to treat baldness, hair loss, and loss. The main nutrient that promotes hair growth is vitamin C, present in large amounts in limes. The addition of lime juice to various oils and their application promote hair growth.
Also, shiny hair is loved and desired by everyone. Lime juice can give the hair the desired shine. Applying lemon juice with the honey and olive oil mixture before washing your hair can give you shiny hair. Lime juice is also incorporated into shampoos along with other essential ingredients to provide silky, soft and shiny hair.
Finally, as indicated above, lime juice has natural lightening properties. If you want your hair color to brighten without the use of chemicals, lime juice is an excellent option. All you have to do is apply lime juice on your hair and stay in the sun for an hour or expose your hair to the sun. This procedure will make your hair have 2-3 lighter shades.
14. Treatment of Dandruff
Dandruff is undoubtedly one of the most common problems for hair. It is a condition characterized by excessive peeling of the scalp. Lime juice is often used as an ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos. The citric acid in lime juice has proven very effective and beneficial for the treatment of dandruff. To get rid of dandruff, rub the lemon slice directly on the scalp. Rinse the hair with lime juice added to the water. Lime juice can sometimes dry the scalp. In this case, you can combine it with olive oil, coconut or almonds.
15. Treat Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. It is characterized by frequent infections in the form of colds, tongue and mouth ulcers, cracks in the lips and crevices, spongy and swollen gums. and bleeding, etc. Being full of vitamin C, lime is extremely effective in curing scurvy.
16. Treat Arthritis
Arthritis is due to the accumulation of excess uric acid in the body. This uric acid is a waste that is normally removed when urinating. But when an excess of uric acid accumulates, this aggravates the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. The citric acid found in citrus fruits, such as lime, dissolves uric acid, resulting in the removal of large amounts through urine. Lime also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve pain and inflammation.
17. Treats Gout
Gout is caused by the accumulation of free radicals or toxins in the body, mainly uric acid. Being a wonderful source of antioxidants and detoxifiers such as vitamin C and flavonoids, lime can help reduce the number of free radicals and detoxify your body, thus preventing gout.
18. Fever Treatment
Lime and lime juice have natural qualities that reduce fever. In the case of high to moderate fever, the patient should be given lime juice, water, and other fruit juices so that the temperature reaches a reasonable level. High concentrations of vitamin C in citrus fruits help reduce the temperature naturally.
19. Gum Care
Vitamin C deficiency can also cause gum problems. As stated above, Lime contains Vitamin C in large quantity which helps to take care of the gum. Taking Lime juice or slices of lime can be a good procedure in taking care of the Gum.
20. Cold Treatment
The large amount of vitamin C contained in lime fruit not only treats cold but also increases the body’s resistance to colds.
21. Treats Dehydration
Lime juice is a refreshing drink that provides rapid hydration and rejuvenation and is rich in vitamin C. It also helps cure fatigue and vomiting.
22. Treats Cystitis
Cystitis (urinary tract infection) is an inflammation of the bladder due to poor hygiene or an allergic reaction to drugs or radiation. Limes have a high potassium content, which helps eliminate toxic substances and precipitates that accumulate in the kidneys and bladder. Limes also have disinfectant properties that can help heal urinary tract infections. Additionally, they prevent prostate growth and prevent blockage of urine caused by calcium deposits in the urinary tract. If you have a urinary tract infection, drink boiled lemon juice in water every two hours to relieve it.
23. Good for Women’s Health.
This citrus contains calcium and folic acid, two essential nutrients for menopausal women and women of childbearing age. A fresh medium-sized lime contains 22 milligrams of calcium and five micrograms of folic acid. Women in these phases should make lime a part of their diet to get relief.
24. Eyecare
The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of lime are beneficial for the eyes. The antioxidant property of vitamin C protects your eyes from aging and macular degeneration, while flavonoids prevent infections. This is one of the uses and benefits of consuming lime.
25. Treat Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers usually develop in the inner lining of the stomach, esophagus and upper small intestine, causing a lot of abdominal pain. The acids contained in lime help reduce the acidity of the stomach by causing an alkaline reaction in the digestive system. In addition to vitamin C, limes contain flavonoids, such as limonoids like limonin glucoside, which have antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-cancer and detoxifying properties that facilitate rapid healing of peptic and oral ulcers.
26. Treatment of Arthritis
Studies have shown that one of the many causes of arthritis is an excessive accumulation of uric acid in the body.
And uric acid is one of the wastes that normal urination removes from the body, but if it accumulates too much, it can make the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis worse.
However, one of the many uses and benefits of Lime is that the citric acid in limes helps dissolve uric acid; thus increasing the amounts that being eliminated out through the urine.
27. Lowers Cholesterol
Yet another health benefit among the many uses and benefits of lime is that it contains a flavonoid (hesperidin), which reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. If you have an increase in cholesterol levels, it is advisable to increase your hesperidin levels by consuming more limes.
28. Weight Loss
Lime helps in weight loss. Lime juice has been traditionally used in many weight loss programs and is an excellent refreshing and antioxidant drink. It is naturally sweet but extremely low in calories. It contains citric acid, an excellent fat burner. To lose weight, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw organic honey and fresh lemon juice to 8 ounces of warm water. Take it early in the morning on an empty stomach to get beneficial results in less than a week.
29. Treat Respiratory Disorders.
Flavonoid-rich oil contained in lime extracts is used as an ingredient in antifungal medications such as aerosols, balms, and inhalers due to the presence of kaempferol. Scraping the skin of the lime and inhaling it helps relieve congestion and nausea.
30. Beneficial for Diabetic Patients
According to the American Diabetes Association, citrus fruits such as lime are beneficial for diabetics for several reasons. First, high levels of soluble fiber in limes help regulate the absorption of blood sugar by the body. This prevents the appearance of a blood sugar peak, which represents a risk for diabetic patients. Second, like most citrus fruits, limes have a low glycemic index. They do not cause unexpected spikes in blood sugar, which adds to the benefits for diabetic patients.
31. Prevention of Cholera
Although Cholera is no longer in exixtence in many parts of the world, cholera remains a deadly disease in some areas. Fortunately, limes and other citrus fruits can help prevent the onset of cholera. Lime juice, added to potentially infected water, can be an effective disinfectant. This juice, consumed regularly by the patient exposed to water infected by cholera, can reduce the harmful effects of this deadly disease.
32. Antiviral Properties
Lime helps fight and protect against viral infections that cause colds, mumps, measles, smallpox, and other similar diseases. It is effective in treating infections of the throat, mouth, stomach, intestines, colon, and urine. It is also an effective treatment against infections of the respiratory system, such as cough and chest congestion, bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma.
33. Works as an Antiseptic
Another one of the uses and benefits of lime is that it has antiseptic properties that can treat skin infections and external wounds, such as insect bites and cuts. It is also effective in the treatment of wounds, gangrene, ulcers, rashes, carbuncles and other similar problems. When consumed, it can cure infections of the colon, urinary tract, and kidneys.
34. Bactericidal Properties
One can use lime in the treatment of diseases caused by bacteria, such as diarrhea, food poisoning, cholera, and typhoid fever. As mentioned earlier, it is also an effective treatment against bacterial infections of the intestines, colon, stomach and urinary tract.
The increasingly popular lime has countless uses and benefits that you may not have known. But now that you know, be sure to stock up on healthy citrus fruits for good health and beauty!
35. You Can Use Them as Cleaning Agents
Outside the kitchen, you can use Lime as natural cleaning agents and you can also use them to neutralize odors. Some studies have shown that they have antimicrobial properties.
Additionally, you can mix Lime juice with vinegar and water and use it as a surface sprayer for a non-toxic cleaning option.
Summary and Recommendations
Limes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can have beneficial effects on health.
Eating limes or drinking Lime juice can improve immunity, reduce risk factors for heart disease, prevent kidney stones, help iron absorption and promote healthy skin and hair.
Avoid limes if you are allergic to citrus fruits. Nevertheless, for most people, these citrus fruits are a healthy and versatile supplement to a balanced diet. So try incorporating lime into your recipes for impressive health benefits.
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