by
Stepy —
November 17, 2018
- Limes are natural powerhouses and a must have in the kitchen.
- They have an acidic, tart type of taste because of the citric acid it contains. They provide many of the same benefits as their close relatives, lemons.
- Let’s take a look at the health benefits of limes.
- Digestion aid:
- Limes help to eliminate waste in the body. They help with nausea, constipation, diarrhea and parasites. They also relieve indigestion and allow food to digest properly. The digestive benefits of limes are due to the citric acid.
- Diuretic:
- Lime itself is a natural diuretic and will increase the rate of urination. As a result, limes help clean our urinary tract and free it of infections. They are also believed to aid in the dissolution of gallstones.
- Tip: Squeeze 1 small organic lime in 1 cup of water and drink 3 times daily for 2 to 3 days.
- Immune booster:
- Vitamin C is very well known as an immune boosting antioxidant, and limes provide plenty of it.
- Antioxidants protect the body from the effects of oxidative stress, which may help strengthen the immune system and ward off diseases. Dr. Andrew Weil explains, “oxidative stress is the total burden placed on organisms by the constant production of free radicals in the normal course of metabolism plus whatever other pressures the environment brings to bear (natural and artificial radiation, toxins in air, food and water; and miscellaneous sources of oxidizing activity, such as tobacco smoke).” The effects of oxidative stress are often linked to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and many types of cancers.
- Kidney stones:
- Limes, like many citrus fruits are high in citric acid. This acid helps reduce calcium levels in the urine, which may prevent kidney stones.
- Rich in Limonins:
- Limes contain compounds called limonins, which have been shown to fight many types of cancers. What makes limonins unique cancer-fighting agents is their long lasting nature. Research by the USDA is now being performed on the ability of limonins to lower LDL cholesterol.
- Liver health:
- Our body is exposed to toxins daily. The liver filters the toxins from the blood; after the toxins are filtered out of the bloodstream, they turn into free radicals. Free radicals are bad for the liver. The vitamin C in limes cleanses the liver by removing toxin build up.
- PH Balance:
- A food’s acid content is reflected in its pH value. Most foods contain naturally occurring acids to give them acidic values on the pH scale.
- A food’s pH value is often NOT the same in the body.
- Limes even though acidic, when inside our body are alkaline- forming when their compounds are released for absorption through the metabolic process. With water, limes restore the body’s PH balance.
- Rheumatoid arthritis protection:
- Limes are an excellent source of vitamin C, providing 32% of the recommended daily value in just one fruit. Vitamin C is known as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and may help protect against arthritis. There are concerns about an excess of vitamin C, which may cause osteoarthritis.
- The Arthritis Foundation explains how to find a happy medium: “If you’ve been loading up on vitamin C to reduce your risk of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or skipping C entirely to prevent accelerated joint damage from osteoarthritis (OA), you can relax. The USDA’s recommendation of 75 milligrams (mg) per day for women and 90 mg per day for men remains the golden mean for vitamin C consumption.”
- Weight loss:
- Limes are high in pectin fiber, which helps suppress food cravings.
- It also helps the body eliminate waste products by cleansing and detoxifying it. By maintaining a more alkaline diet, you will lose weight faster.
- Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
- For warm lemon water benefits.
- For a miracle juice with lemons:
- REFERENCES
- 1. Oz, Mehmet, M.D. “Health Benefits of Lemons.” DoctorOz.com. The Dr. Oz Show, n.d. Web. 29 July 2013.
- 2. Woods, Marcia. “Citrus Compound: Ready To Help Your Body!” Agricultural Research Service. USDA, n.d. Web. 29 July 2013.
- 3. “The Right Amount of Vitamin C.” ArthritisToday.org. The Arthritis Foundation, n.d. Web. 29 July 2013.
- 4. Weil, Andrew, M.D. “Stumped by Oxidative Stress?” DrWeil.com. DrWeil.com, n.d. Web. 27 July 2013.
