Lime has been a durable, highly beneficial, and aesthetic fruit for thousands of years. The exact origin of the lime fruit is unknown, however, it’s believed to have grown originally in Southeast Asia or Indonesia before being imported to Africa and the Mediterranean region over a thousand years ago. The full picture of its usefulness to health got widely known only a few centuries ago. It was for a long time was used to treat scurvy, a condition caused by vitamin C deficiency, which can result in symptoms like bleeding gums, bruising, and fatigue. At that time, around the 18th century, scurvy a huge problem, and a major cause of death for British sailors. Lime juice, in its high concentration of vitamin C was there to rescue them. Little did they know that they enjoyed loads of other health benefits. Now we know better, and we are deliberately using lime to improve our health.
Lime is a citrus fruit which contains calcium and is typically round and green. It is one fruit that is undeniably beneficial in numerous ways. Here are fourteen ways in which lime can improve your health. Let’s talk more about this!
What Does Lime Do?
Are you ready for this? Okay, so here are fourteen benefits of this powerfully effective fruit.
Lime Prevents Heart Diseases
Limonin and soluble fiber found in lime help reduce blood pressure. They help cut down on inflammation of the blood vessels, which preventing heart diseases. What else? Potassium and magnesium in lime improve blood circulation and boost heart health. So lime has got your heart covered. Relax and enjoy!
Lime Treats Dark Spots
Lime is considered a natural bleaching agent because of its powerful effect in skin lightening. It is also used to lighten dark underarms.
Lime Treats Acne and Blemishes
Dead skin cells can cause pimples, acne, and blemishes. Acne and pimples are common with people who have oily skins. Lime is powerfully effective in dealing with these.
Lime Relieves Constipation
Surprised? Well, lime does relieve constipation. It clears the excretory system by washing and cleaning off the tracts, the same way some acids are used to clean floors and toilets. Scared? Don’t be; it’s just tinker you know how effective lime is. In fact, this constipation-relieving quality of lime is as a result of its acidic content. A superfruit, you say.
Lime Controls Blood Sugar
Lime is considered a special fruit to combat diabetes. The elevated levels of soluble fiber found in limes help it regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. The soluble fiber can also help diabetics maintain their blood sugar levels. This, of course, leads to a decreased blood pressure and it does stop the presence of LDL cholesterol. Soluble fiber can cut down on inflammation of the blood vessels which is a cardiovascular problem. Are you in awe already? Well, there’s more to know.
What Else does Lime Do?
It Treats Respiratory Disorders
Lime does combat respiratory disorders. The flavonoid-rich oil that is extracted from limes is used in anti-congestive medicines such as, balms, vaporizers, and inhalers.
Lime is Great for Skin Care
Lime juice and its natural oils are beneficial for the skin when consumed orally or applied externally. Drinking warm lime water helps ensure that your skin is well hydrated. The vitamin C and flavonoids in lime juice give your skin a younger look, combating the effects of aging. What else? The antibiotic and disinfectant properties which lime possesses protect your skin from infections and reduce body odor. This is getting more interesting!
Helps Fight against Cancer
Lime has got the ability to fight against cancer cells because it contains antioxidants.
Lime is Great for the Respiratory System
Lime is a great source of vitamin C, and this makes it effective in treating respiratory tract infections.
Lime Boosts Immunity
Lime helps prevent and improve the outcomes of malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia.
Lime is Superb for the Kidney
This is because it contains a good amount of citric acid, a type of acid that can help prevent kidney stones by increasing urinary citrate and urine volume. Go lime, go lime! We’re not even done yet.
Lime Treats Fever
Vitamin C, found in high concentrations in citrus fruits like lime, naturally reduces body temperature. If you ever suffer a fever, limes and lime juice can be of great benefit to you. Remember to take them.
It Enhances Weight Loss
In addition to the many wonders of lime, it is wonderfully beneficial for weight loss. Who wouldn’t love lime anyway?
Lime Reduces the Risk of Stroke
Vitamin C in lime reduces stroke risks, especially for women. It also helps slow down the progression of coronary heart diseases.
Did you Know?
Limes are present in some cleaning products and perfumes.
Limes are used to heighten the flavors of foods and beverages.
Side Effects of Lime
As powerfully amazing as lime is, just like other fruits, it’s got some side effects. Let’s take a look at them.
Tooth Decay
Excess consumption of lime can bring about bacteria in our mouths. If proper cleanliness is not ensured, this can turn out to be cavities in the teeth. What else? Lime has elevated acidic content that can affect the enamel.
Stomach Ulcers
The citric acid in lime worsens stomach ulcers. This high level of acid can irritate the stomach lining and hinder ulcers from healing.
Problems During Pregnancy
Excessive lime intake does affect pregnant women and their expected babies.
Hemochromatosis
This is a health challenge which hinders the body system from absorbing iron. The vitamin C in lime, also called the ascorbic acid, affects the absorption of iron in the body.
Joint Discomfort
One of the many causes of joint discomfort is an excess of uric acid that builds up in the body. Uric acid is one of the waste products that urination will clear out of the body, however, when too much of it builds up, it can settle in and around joints, causing terrible pains and inflammation. So excess lime can cause joint discomfort.
What Else?
You should not apply lime or lime juice directly to your skin, as this can increase your skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light and result in a condition called phytophotodermatitis, which can severely burn your skin.
Final Words…
We do hope it’s been an interesting lime trip. So those were fourteen benefits that lime has in store for you. It’s funny how I considered that fruit too small after I learned of its benefits. In my imaginative mind, I just thought the size of the fruit is too choking for all the amazing benefits. But of course, that’s only a funny thought. Now that you know the super benefits that lime has, what are waiting for? Don’t you want to just enjoy this fruit already? Some of us are partakers of its benefits already, and for the ones we can see, we say, indeed, lime is powerfully effective. You really shouldn’t stop at enjoying its benefits, it’d be kind of you to tell another about it, or share the link. We really do want to read your lime experience. Remember to come back to share it. Till then, enjoy your fruit which bursts with vitamin C — lime!
