Limes. Such a simple ingredient, but man, do they pack a punch. Not only do limes add a burst of flavor to many foods and beverages, they also bring along a host of other benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of limes.
Improve Liver Health
Limes contain acid that can help push energy out of the liver. The liver is an energy hog holding excessive amounts of energy, and sometimes we need to move it out. Limes have even been shown to reduce liver damage.
Promote Healthy Digestion
Digestion begins in the mouth when food mixes with saliva. The acid contained in lime juice aids in digestion because it helps saliva break down food. Limes and other citrus fruits also help reduce certain bacteria that cause digestive issues, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric carcinoma.
Improve Immune Function
Vitamin C is a micronutrient that is necessary for a healthy immune system. Limes are high in vitamin C, which has been shown to be effective for the prevention and treatment of many common illnesses. Because vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant, it may even help reduce inflammation in tissues.
Stabilize Blood Sugar
Vitamin C is also beneficial for lowering blood glucose levels. Stabilizing blood sugar can also encourage healthy weight loss when paired with exercise and a normal diet.
Support the Cardiovascular System
Limes contain magnesium and potassium which help promote a healthy heart. Additionally, limes have been shown to reduce atherosclerosis, or the build up of plaque in arteries, which often contributes to heart disease. Vitamin C in limes also helps our bodies absorb iron. Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body.
Boost Brain Power
Neurodegenerative diseases result from the gradual degeneration of the central nervous system and/or the peripheral nervous system. Limes contain an abundance of polyphenols called flavonoids. These phytochemicals have neuroprotective properties that are beneficial for the prevention of neurodegenerative disease.
Promote Kidney Health
Kidney stones are deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. These deposits become hard stones that can be very painful as well as cause other complications. Citric acid has been shown to be beneficial for preventing the formation of kidney stones. In addition, a squeeze of lime added to your water just may encourage you to drink more, which in turn helps improve kidney function as well.
Prevent Cancer
Studies show that flavonoids are not only great for your brain, but they also help protect our bodies from cancer. Limonene is another compound found in limes that is known for its anticancer properties. The anticancer activities of this miracle fruit include inhibiting the metastasis, or spread, of cancer cells; blocking the blood supply to cancer cells; and encouraging tumor suppressor genes and even death of cancerous cells.
To Sum it Up
These are just a few of the great health benefits from eating limes and other citrus fruits. In addition to adding extra flavor, limes offer nutrients that have a variety of health benefits. So let’s lime it up!
Check out this recipe for a refreshing Ginger Lime Mocktail!
Looking for more ways you can use food to improve your health? Come check out the Clean Slate Cleanse!
