Lemons often take the limelight when it comes to citrus, but lime can be just as great. Limes are nutritious and offer many health benefits. They can be sour, but they make great additions to many things. Try it in water, guacamole, or on papaya!
According to the Canadian Academy of Sports Nutrition, one medium lime is about 28 calories and contains vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, copper, and calcium. Limes also contain health-helping phytonutrients such as limonene, flavonoids, tangeretin, hesperidin, and rutin.
Vitamin C is needed for the biosynthesis of collagen and neurotransmitters. It’s also needed for protein metabolism, connective tissue, and wound healing. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant too! Antioxidants inhibit the damaging effects of free radicals that could otherwise contribute to the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases. B vitamins help your body make energy and form red blood cells.
Potassium is a mineral that helps your nerves, muscles, and heart function. It also transports nutrients to cells and waste out of cells. Copper is a mineral that plays a role in energy production, iron metabolism, neuropeptide activation, connective tissue synthesis, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Calcium is a mineral that is needed for vascular contraction, vasodilation, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, hormonal secretion, and bone structure and function.
Limonene is a monoterpene found in the oil of citrus fruit peels. It can promote weight loss, help prevent cancer, and treat bronchitis. Tangeretin is a flavone that may lower cholesterol, fight tumors, and have neuroprotective properties. Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid that is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It may also help treat cancer and relieve hot flashes. Rutin is a bioflavonoid that is also a powerful antioxidant; it helps your body digest collagen and use vitamin C.
Swanson claims limes support heart health, skin health, digestive health, immune health, metabolism, weight loss, kidney health, iron absorption, and joint health.
Try adding some limes to your diet to experience their benefits. Add a lime wedge to water, add lime juice to dips, or sprinkle it on other foods.
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