Lime juice and concentrate: composition, properties, use, contraindications

Natural freshly squeezed juice of this fruit has a pleasant sour taste with bitter notes. The large amount of ascorbic acid makes it useful during the cold season. Low calorie content and the presence of organic acids help control body weight. Pure juice and concentrate do not irritate the walls of the stomach and do not destroy tooth enamel. Read on to learn how to use lime concentrate and natural juice in cooking, home cosmetology and folk medicine.

Composition of lime juice and concentrate

Lime is a fruit of a tree from the genus Citrus, a genetic relative of lemon. Outwardly, it strongly resembles it in shape and sour taste with a slight bitterness. However, the peel of the lime is thin and green, and the pulp is yellow-green, juicy, and very grainy. The aroma is pronounced citrus, recognizable.

Lime juice is cloudy, light, sometimes greenish, tart and sour, and very aromatic.

Nutritional value of 100 ml of freshly squeezed juice:

• calorie content - 30 kcal;
• proteins - 0.7 g;
• fats - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 7.8 g;
• fiber - 2.8 g.

The table shows the chemical composition of 100 ml of product.

There is a commercially available lime concentrate that has a similar chemical composition and nutritional value because it is made from pure juice. The concentrate is sold in plastic jars (often in the shape of a lime or lemon) with a dispenser or sprayer.

Depending on the manufacturer, the concentrate contains preservatives: citric acid, potassium pyrosulfate and metabisulfite, lime essential oil. The shelf life of the product after opening the bottle is 1 month at a temperature of +2...+5°C. Price for a 100 ml bottle - 80-250 rubles. depending on the manufacturer.

Interesting! Sailors mixed lime juice with rum to prevent scurvy during long sea voyages.

Useful and healing properties

The product has many beneficial properties for the body. It does not irritate the stomach walls as much as lemon juice and is gentle on tooth enamel.

Reference. Lime contains limonoids - substances that eliminate more free radicals than natural dark chocolate and green tea. The product is recommended for use by people suffering from liver pathologies in which the organ is not able to remove toxins that cause cancer.

Lime juice:

• increases the body's defenses, which is especially important during cold season;
• has antiviral properties;
• reduces sore throat and coughing attacks;
• normalizes digestion and increases appetite;
• has bactericidal properties - inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus;
• reduces inflammation of the stomach walls;
• helps cure malaria;
• maintains eye health, protects the cornea from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• reduces inflammation of the sciatic nerve, improves motor function in arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout;
• normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol levels;
• slows down the aging process of the body;
• prevents the development of scurvy;
• prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
• enhances intestinal motility and helps cope with frequent constipation;
• reduces blood pressure;
• replenishes vitamins and minerals;
• brightens and tones the skin;
• strengthens the hair follicle.

Application of juice and concentrate

The natural product is used in cooking, dietetics, folk medicine and cosmetology. The concentrate is used to prepare a variety of dishes and drinks.

In cooking

Lime juice and concentrate are added to vegetable and fruit salads, marinades for red meat and poultry, sweet pastries, butter, yogurt and curd creams, ice cream, jelly, preserves, jam, cottage cheese, sorbet, marmalade. The juice softens the fibers of the meat and makes it tender and soft. To prepare salad dressing, simply mix the juice or concentrate with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Lime juice is an invariable component of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails: “Mojito”, “Margarita”, “Daiquiri”, “Gin Tonic”, “Mai Tai”, “Cosmopolitan”, “Cuba Libre”, “Caipirinha”. It acts as an accompanying component of Mexican tequila.

Lime concentrate is no worse than fresh juice and can be stored longer in the refrigerator, but fresh juice still has more benefits.

Fresh juice is prepared exclusively from fresh citrus fruits without signs of spoilage, since a low-quality product can cause stomach upset.

In folk medicine

In medicine, natural fresh juice is used to treat:

• stomach upsets: mix ¼ lime juice with 200 ml of water, add ½ tsp. soda and drink 30 minutes before meals;
• diseases of the bladder and kidneys: 1 tsp. add to 200 ml of water and take 1 tbsp. l. every half hour;
• herpes, warts and papillomas: apply undiluted freshly squeezed juice to problem areas 3 times a day.

In cosmetology

Lime protects the skin from viral and bacterial infections, helps cure dandruff, and promotes healing of cuts, deep wounds and bruises. The product inhibits skin aging, increases its elasticity, perfectly tones and regenerates tissue.

Oily shine and enlarged pores are something that owners of combination and oily skin have to deal with. Citrus has a cooling effect and miraculously mattifies the skin, regulates sebum secretion, cleanses and tightens pores.

Clean, smooth and white facial skin has always been considered the standard of female beauty. Lime lotions help lighten age spots and freckles, eliminate inflammation and increase turgor.

Take note of several recipes for homemade masks based on the product:

1. Peeling mask for oily skin. Apply ½ citrus juice with a cotton pad to cleansed skin and leave for 20 minutes. Then wash your face with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel.
2. An effervescent mask for normal skin tones and improves elasticity. 150 ml mineral water, 2 tsp. lime and lemon juice, 2 tbsp. l. Natural full-fat yoghurt is mixed until smooth and applied to clean skin for 15 minutes. Then the mask is washed off with cool water and your favorite cream is applied.
3. Honey-lime mask for freshness. 1 tsp. acacia honey mixed with ¼ tsp.lime juice and apply to clean facial skin. After 5 minutes, wash off the mask with cool water.
4. Egg-lime tightening mask. Beat 1 egg white until stiff, mix with ¼ tsp. juice and beat again. The mass is applied to clean skin and washed off when a feeling of tightness appears.

For weight loss

Lime improves digestion and intestinal motility, normalizes cholesterol levels.

Citrus juice is used on a pectin mono-diet consisting of apples. Nutritionists recommend drinking a glass of hot water mixed with 1 tsp daily. honey and lime juice.

By adhering to the correct and separate principle of nutrition, it is possible to lose 2-3 kg of excess weight by drinking 2 tbsp every day. clean water along with the juice of 1 lime. A tangible result is noticeable within a week. In combination with moderate physical activity, the process of losing weight accelerates.

Lime juice mixed with grapefruit juice and grated ginger is a real vitamin and fat-burning bomb. To prepare the drink you will need ginger syrup. To do this, a root measuring 3 cm is grated and mixed with 2 tbsp. l. sugar, pour 200 ml of boiling water and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. The syrup is filtered and poured into the juice of 1 lime and 1 grapefruit.

A fruit smoothie with lime juice replaces one snack. In a blender, beat 1 kiwi, 1 banana, half a bunch of parsley or 1 stalk of celery and add the juice of one lime. If the mass comes out too thick, add a little mineral water.

Contraindications

Due to the high acid content, drinking lime juice is contraindicated for ulcerative and erosive lesions of the stomach and duodenum, pancreatitis and gastritis.The product will have to be discarded if you are allergic to citrus fruits.

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Conclusion

Lime juice and its concentrate have a lot of beneficial properties due to their rich chemical composition. The product is used for culinary purposes, folk medicine and cosmetology, to reduce and control body weight.

Regular consumption of citrus juice improves immunity, prevents the development of viral and bacterial infections, normalizes digestion and sugar levels, increases appetite, maintains eye health, slows down the aging process of the body and fading of the skin, lightens freckles and age spots.