LIME: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

Does lime have any side effects? ›

Other digestive symptoms may include heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Limes are very acidic and best enjoyed in moderation. Eating many limes can increase your risk of cavities, as the acid in limes — and other citrus fruits — can erode tooth enamel (29).

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Lime juice might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Drinking lime juice while taking some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of these medications.

Limes contain antioxidants, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation and even help prevent certain chronic illnesses. The high levels of Vitamin C found in limes can help protect you from infection and speed up your body's healing process. Citrus fruits have been shown to help keep kidney stones at bay.

In cooking, lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its zest. It is a common ingredient in authentic Mexican, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. Lime soup is a traditional dish from the Mexican state of Yucatan. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche.

Safety Precautions When Working With Lime

Wear protective goggles, gloves and clothing. Minimize bare skin. Clean water should always be at arms length if lime gets in someone's eyes or on their skin.

Lime juice contains high amounts of citric acid which can dissolve enamel. Excessive intake of lime juice can damage the enamel lining of your teeth and increase the risk of tooth decay and plaque. If you start experiencing sensitivity and pain, you should consider limiting your lime juice intake.

Limes are a good source of magnesium and potassium, which promote heart health. Potassium can naturally lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation, which reduces your risk of a heart attack and stroke. Research is ongoing on lime compounds called limonins that may be able to reduce cholesterol levels.

Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine). Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Neoral and Sandimmune capsule or oral solution (both cyclosporine).

Drinking lime water at night has been touted as an effective way to reduce belly fat . This is because lime is rich in vitamin C , which helps boost metabolism and aids in weight loss . Additionally , the citric acid in lime can help break down fat cells and flush out toxins from the body .

Lemons and limes have special chemicals that may keep brain cells safe from toxic substances in your body. And because they also protect against general cell breakdown and inflammation, they may help reduce some of the risk of brain diseases like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.

Which is healthier, lemon or lime? ›

Both lemons and limes have similar nutrients. Lemons contain more vitamin C and antioxidant flavonoids than limes. However, limes have slightly higher levels of minerals and vitamins than lemons. For example, limes have more niacin, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium than lemons.

Increasingly, evidence also suggests some adverse reproductive health effects of vagin*l douching agents (including lime juice), which includes increased risks of bacterial vaginosis, HIV infection, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and cervical cancer.

One lime a day is certainly good for you—the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day while adding lime (or lemon) to each glass of water.

If you have a tendency toward kidney stones, you'd benefit from drinking lime water every day. Citrate — which is found in lime juice — has been shown to dissolve kidney stones and prevent them from forming. The vitamin C and antioxidants found in limes are also known to reduce stress on the heart.

Grapefruit, lemons and limes are great for boosting the liver's cleansing abilities. Citrus has been found to help in the production of important detoxification enzymes, particularly the enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (alanine aminotransferase or ALT) in the blood.

Lime juice is a rich source of vitamins and citric acid because of which consumption of lime juice before periods can delay them and also make your flow lighter and ease up period complication during your cycle. Having lime juice a couple of days before your expected period date helps to delay them without any problem.

Lime can be used to affect the skin in many ways. It can help with dandruff, is a natural detoxifier, pH balancer, source of nutrition and essential minerals and can strengthen, lighten and clear skin. These are only a few of the benefits of lime for skin. Limes come in a surprisingly large variety.

It is widely used because of its antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammation, anti-lipidemia, and antioxidant properties; moreover, it can protect heart, liver, bone, and prevent urinary diseases.

Lemons are significantly larger, while limes are smaller. Limes tend to be round in shape, whereas lemons are more oblong or oval-shaped. In terms of taste, lemons are generally a bit sweeter than limes. While limes have a more acidic and tart flavour, lemons have a more bittersweet taste.