Lime: composition and beneficial properties of the fruit, application features

Lime is a type of citrus plant that was once popular only in South Asian countries, but now takes pride of place in European stores. This fruit is used in cooking, as a cosmetic and medicinal product. The healing properties of the fruit are varied: restorative, antiseptic, antimicrobial, wound healing, sedative, antioxidant, diuretic and choleretic.

Despite what many people think is lime absolutely harmless, contraindications still exist. Therefore, before using lime for the treatment and prevention of diseases, you should consult your doctor.

What is lime

Lime belongs to a species of citrus plants of the Rutaceae family. Place of origin: India, Malacca Peninsula. Genetically he is similar to lemon, however, unlike the latter, it bears fruit in a humid tropical climate, so in the tropics it is the “main” citrus.

Lime fruits are small - 3-6 cm in diameter, egg-shaped, the pulp is juicy, sweet and sour. Depending on the variety, the peel is yellow or green and very thin when fully ripe. The plant blooms and produces fruits all year round. The main harvest occurs between August and October.

For reference. The shelf life of the fruit is 1.5-2 months at a temperature of +9...+11°C and a relative air humidity of 85-90%.

Citrus is mainly cultivated and supplied from India, Mexico, Cuba, and Egypt. Many varieties and hybrids of lime have been developed, differing in taste, nutritional and medicinal properties. The most popular variety is Mexican.

Calorie content and chemical composition of lime

Calorie content of lime - 30 kcal per 100 g, protein / fat / carbohydrate content - 0.7 g / 0.2 g / 7.7 g.

Chemical composition:

• organic acids;
• alimentary fiber;
• water;
• Sahara;
• vitamin A;
• beta-carotene;
• vitamins B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9;
• vitamins C, E, K, PP;
• trace elements: iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc;
• macroelements: potassium, calcium, silicon, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus;
• amino acids;
• fatty acids: omega-3, omega-6, myristic, palmitic, stearic, linoleic, linolenic.

Beneficial properties of lime for humans

Lime contains many biologically active components that determine its medicinal properties. When consumed regularly, citrus restores health, improves overall well-being, increases endurance and ability to work, prevents many diseases, and accelerates recovery in the presence of pathologies.

Beneficial properties of lime fruit:

• suppresses the intensity of inflammatory processes;
• disinfects;
• accelerates tissue regeneration in wounds and burns;
• reduces the severity of pain;
• increases the body's resistance to infections;
• slows down the aging process;
• neutralizes dangerous free radicals;
• regulates metabolism;
• activates digestion;
• has an antibacterial effect;
• stimulates the nervous system, reduces symptoms of depression;
• eliminates spasm of smooth muscles;
• normalizes blood circulation and lymph flow;
• increases the density and elasticity of vascular walls;
• reduces the risk of heart and vascular diseases;
• cleanses the liver and kidneys;
• removes waste and toxins from the intestines;
• supports the proper functioning of the sweat and sebaceous glands;
• improves the condition of the skin, hair, nails.

The benefits and harms of lime for the body depend on the quantity, appropriateness and correctness of use. Citrus has contraindications, which must be familiarized with before consuming it for medicinal or prophylactic purposes.

Lime helps maintain weight and get rid of extra pounds. It contains dietary fiber, the main effect of which is to naturally and safely cleanse the body without disturbing the intestinal microflora.

What causes weight loss:

1. Normalization of digestive processes. Pectin stimulates intestinal motility, food moves more easily and quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, does not linger, which ensures regular bowel movements and helps cope with constipation.
2. Fast and long-lasting saturation. Dietary fiber is not digested, once it enters the intestines, it swells and creates a feeling of fullness. This reduces the amount of food you consume and helps you stop snacking. As a result, more energy is consumed than is supplied through food, and the body begins to use up fat reserves.
3. Removing harmful substances (toxins, waste, pesticides) from the body, reducing the concentration of cholesterol and glucose in the blood.
4. Decreased insulin production. Thanks to the low glycemic index (32 units), blood glucose levels increase gradually without overloading the pancreas.
5. Maintaining normal intestinal microflora, restoring the disturbed balance of microorganisms.
6. Saturation with energy for a long time, increasing endurance and performance.

What are the benefits of fruit for a woman’s body?

During pregnancy and lactation, lime serves as a source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids responsible for the health and well-being of women. Folic acid is of particular value at all stages of pregnancy. A deficiency of this vitamin adversely affects the state of the nervous system of the unborn child and can cause the development of serious defects: congenital pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and cerebral hernia.

The rich vitamin and mineral complex has a positive effect on reproductive function: it slows down the onset of menopause, alleviates the symptoms of menopause, restores and maintains hormonal levels. Regular consumption of lime serves as a preventive measure for gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature (vaginitis, adnexitis, vulvitis) and those caused by hormonal changes (polycystic disease, uterine fibroids, menstrual irregularities).

B vitamins have a positive effect on the functions of the nervous system, increase resistance to stress, improve emotional state, normalize night sleep, and ensure good mood and well-being.

For men

What are the benefits of lime for men's health? Zinc and selenium in the fruit stimulate the production of testosterone, which is responsible for libido and sexual health.

Vitamins C and E cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol, minimize congestion, and provide sufficient blood supply to the cavernous bodies, which is necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.Due to its pronounced antioxidant properties, lime reduces the likelihood of developing testicular cancer and prostate pathologies.

Potassium and magnesium maintain the tone of the smooth muscles of the penis, vitamins and fatty acids ensure metabolism in the cavernous tissues, which helps prevent the onset of erectile dysfunction.

For reference. Citrus has aphrodisiac properties and increases libido.

Benefits for children

For children and adolescents, citrus serves as an additional source of vitamin C, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system, all types of metabolism, and iron absorption. Its deficiency leads to bleeding and loose gums, nosebleeds due to increased permeability and thinness of the capillaries.

Lime to some extent satisfies the body's needs for calcium, which strengthens the skeletal system, helps prevent damage to the musculoskeletal system, and is important for teeth.

Lyme is a natural and safe immunostimulant. During the cold season, it protects against acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, eases their course, and prevents complications.

How to use lime

Fresh lime is a ready-to-eat product. Peel it and eat it in slices, after sprinkling it with sugar or salt. In India, citrus fruits are salted and pickled. However, for greater benefit, nutritionists recommend consuming fresh fruit pulp, since any heat treatment reduces the content of useful substances.

You can eat unpeeled limes, but the zest contains large amounts of essential oils, which give the fruit a bittersweet taste and aroma.

How and with what to eat lime

The fruits are eaten fresh, processed into juice, added to smoothies, fruit cocktails, tea, vegetable and fruit salads, and served with meat, poultry, and fish. In salads, lime harmonizes with non-acidic fruits: pear, apple, peach, apricot, melon.

Fresh juice used for pickling vegetables and meat, as a dressing and aromatic additive. The zest is used to decorate cocktails and confectionery products, and is added to baked goods, jam, puddings, and ice cream. A few drops of citrus juice are appropriate in puree soups, fresh vegetable salads, and fruit juices. The fruits are in harmony with almost all products. How to eat lime and with what depends on personal taste preferences.

Lime slices are added to tea. A cold drink quenches thirst, tones, refreshes, charges with vigor and energy; hot relieves fatigue, relaxes, normalizes sleep. To improve the taste, add grated root ginger, cinnamon, mint leaves, lemon balm, nutmeg.

Where is the fruit used?

In addition to cooking, lime zest and pulp are used in folk medicine as medicinal raw materials, as well as for cosmetic purposes.

For existing pathologies, it is used in combination with basic therapeutic methods. Citrus enhances the effect of medications, accelerates recovery, and prevents complications.

In folk medicine

Lyme is used to treat and prevent the following diseases:

1. Respiratory diseases, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, which cause coughing, sore throat, fever. Citrus has antipyretic and antibacterial properties, increases the body's natural defenses.
2. Neurological disorders, insomnia.Acts as a sedative, eliminates the feeling of tension, facilitates the process of falling asleep, and improves the quality of sleep.
3. Prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system (ischemia, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis). Strengthens the walls of blood vessels, reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, promotes normal blood flow, preventing the formation of sclerotic plaques.
4. Rheumatic diseases (gout, arthritis, arthrosis, osteoarthritis). Dissolves crystals of uric acid salts and painlessly removes them from the body, inhibits inflammation, reduces pain, and normalizes purine metabolism.
5. Arterial hypertension. Normalizes blood pressure, reduces the tone of the veins and the volume of circulating blood, reduces the load on the heart muscle.
6. Constipation. Stimulates intestinal motility, normalizes water-salt balance, dilutes stool, and facilitates bowel movements.
7. Infections. It has antibacterial and antiviral activity, destroys or prevents the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, and prevents their spread to other organs and systems.
8. Avitaminosis. Replenishes the deficiency of micro- and macroelements, vitamins and other valuable components that take part in metabolic processes and physiological reactions.
9. Skin diseases, including papillomas, warts, dermatitis, herpes. Accelerates tissue regeneration, reduces inflammatory processes.
10. Pathologies of the digestive organs. Restores damaged structures and functions of the liver, increases bile secretion, regulates metabolism, removes free radicals and toxic substances from the body.
11. Anemia.Serves as an additional source of iron, improves its absorption, reduces the severity of symptoms from the nervous system (headache, irritability, weakness, dizziness).
12. Obesity, diabetes. Controls blood sugar levels, accelerates the process of fat breakdown, removes excess fluid from the body, and eliminates swelling.

In cosmetology

Lime is a popular cosmetic product. At home, it is used to care for the skin of the face and body. Citrus contains high doses of vitamin C, which stimulates collagen production, prevents the formation of early wrinkles, and slows down the aging process.

Lime reduces the severity of age spots on the skin and protects it from the negative effects of UV rays. Acids have an exfoliating effect, gently remove the upper stratum corneum, and improve tissue nutrition. As a result, the skin acquires a healthy and even complexion. Lime has tonic, nourishing and moisturizing properties, tightens pores, gets rid of comedones, and restores water balance.

For reference. Cosmetologists recommend that those with oily and problem skin pay special attention to lime. Citrus juice controls the functioning of the sebaceous glands, reduces sebum production, and prevents the formation of comedones.

Lime juice has a positive effect on the condition and health of hair. As a component in homemade masks, it reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands, nourishes and stimulates follicles, improves the condition of the scalp, strengthens and restores hair, and promotes its active growth. The juice is used to lubricate the head with seborrhea, to strengthen weakened and thin hair, oily at the roots.

Lime water for weight loss

Water with lime not only gets rid of excess weight, but also normalizes metabolism and cleanses the body of accumulated waste and toxins. This vitamin remedy protects against flu and colds and, with regular consumption, keeps the entire body in good shape.

It’s easy to prepare the drink: add the juice of half a lime to 200-250 ml of water at room temperature.

If desired, you can add 1 tsp. natural honey. Honey enhances the dietary and adsorbing properties of citrus fruits, activates the process of fat breakdown, stimulates intestinal motility, resulting in more effective weight loss.

Take the drink daily on an empty stomach. Morning meals are possible no earlier than half an hour later.

Contraindications and possible harm

Lime is contraindicated for those with allergies to citrus fruits. It is recommended to limit its amount or completely eliminate it from the diet if you have the following diseases and conditions:

• stomach or duodenal ulcer;
• erosive gastroduodenitis;
• gastrointestinal bleeding;
• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• renal/liver failure.

In the absence of contraindications, lime will not cause harm to health. Citrus seeds pose a danger to the body. They contain toxins and can cause poisoning.

In people with individual intolerance to citrus fruits, consuming lime increases the risk of allergic reactions, and in case of gastrointestinal diseases it can provoke colic, pain, increased gas formation, and heartburn.

For reference. Excessive and long-term consumption of lime juice can worsen the condition of tooth enamel. This will manifest itself as hypersensitivity of dental tissues to temperature and chemical irritants.

Which is better and healthier - lime or lemon?

There is no clear answer which is healthier - lime or lemon. These are interchangeable products, both having a rich chemical composition and characterized by dietary, nutritional and medicinal properties. However, for those who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to give preference to lime. The organic acids in its composition are less aggressive and do not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa.

When choosing which is better - lemon or lime, take into account the state of health, especially the digestive system, and gastronomic preferences.

Conclusion

Lime has many beneficial effects, so it is used for various purposes: to improve the health of the body, strengthen the immune system, and maintain the functioning of organs and systems. The medicinal properties of the fruit are especially noticeable when consumed regularly and correctly.