What Happens to Your Body When You Start Drinking More Lime Juice

Lime is a type of citrus fruit known for its tart and tangy taste. Small green fruits, mainly used for their juice and zest, are full of antioxidants that offer numerous health benefits, particularly for the heart and immunity.

Kidney stones are rock-like masses that form in your kidney. Stones form when your urine contains too many minerals or chemicals like calcium or oxalate. Excess waste forms crystals that attract other elements and turn into hard masses.

Poor hydration, too much or too little exercise, and excess sugar or sodium in the diet are some risk factors for developing kidney stones. Larger stones can cause intense pressure, pain, and discomfort as they pass through the urinary tract.

Citrus fruits like limes contain moderate amounts of citrate, a substance that naturally inhibits the formation of kidney stones. Fresh lime juice, along with the medication or mineral supplement potassium citrate that treats kidney stones, can improve the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. Since lime juice helps release calcium into your urine, you are less likely to form kidney stones.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterial infection that has a unique ability to grow in the acidic environment of the stomach. The infection is associated with stomach sores (peptic ulcers), inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), and stomach cancer. In the United States, approximately 30 to 40 percent of people get an H. pylori infection.

Citrus fruits contain high amounts of bioactive compounds that provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer benefits. Research suggests that citrus fruits and their flavonoids (natural plant chemicals) may have protective effects against H. pylori and associated risks. Test-tube studies have indicated that extracts of lime and other citrus fruits decrease the survivability of H. pylori. Further human studies are needed to conclude these results.

Like other citrus fruits, limes contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support your immune system. These include vitamin C and folate, both of which benefit the protective lining of the intestine.

Vitamin C regulates the immune system in various ways. It acts as an antioxidant to repel free radicals (a type of unstable molecule that can cause damage and lead to disease if they build up in too many numbers) and protect our cells from harmful toxins and pollutants. Vitamin C also helps regulate genes and ensure the stability of collagen, which is essential for the protective lining of the intestine.

Folate is a type of vitamin essential for regulatory T cells in the intestinal lining. T cells prevent excessive immune responses such as increased inflammation and allergic reactions. As such, folate may help suppress an overactive immune response.

Lime is a good source of vitamin C, which supports heart health by improving nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is important for vasodilation (opening of blood vessels) and blood pressure regulation.

Additionally, lime and other citrus juices contain a variety of flavonoids, which may also protect against heart disease. For example, hesperidin is a highly concentrated flavonoid in citrus fruits that has cardioprotective effects, such as lowering blood pressure, improving blood sugar and blood lipids, and reducing the risk of blood clots.

Vitamin C is essential for improving the absorption of iron, essential for your energy, immunity and well-being. This is because the body needs enough iron to carry vital oxygen into the bloodstream. Limes are full of vitamin C which can help with iron absorption.

Below is the nutritional profile of an average raw lime:

• Calories: 20.1
• Fat: 0.134 grams (g)
• Sodium: 1.34 milligrams (mg)
• Carbohydrates: 7.04g
• Fiber: 1.88g
• Added sugars: 0g
• Protein: 0.469g
• Vitamin C: 19.5 mg, 22% of your daily value

Lime is also a good source of potassium, important for blood pressure control. They also contain folate, vitamin B6, and thiamine, all of which support your heart health and immunity.

Limes are considered safe, but for some people, handling or eating limes may cause side effects, including:

• Phytodermatitis: Compounds such as coumarins and furocoumarins that you are exposed to when you touch or eat the skin and flesh of limes can react with ultraviolet (UV) rays, causing symptoms such as skin redness, blistering, and irritation. Eating or handling limes, lime-containing foods and drinks in the heat may increase the severity. Allergic reactions can also occur, although lime allergies are considered rare.
• Gastroesophageal reflux: In some cases, the high acidity of citrus fruits such as limes may contribute to or worsen symptoms of GERD, a long-lasting digestive disorder in which excess stomach acid leaks into the esophagus. Eating citrus fruits may increase this risk of chronic acid reflux because fruit can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which usually blocks stomach acids from entering the esophagus.
• Dental erosion: Citrus juices are known to wear away tooth enamel. This risk is higher when acidic drinks are consumed frequently and in excess. If you drink lime juice and want to avoid the harmful effects on your teeth, consume the drink with meals to increase salivary production, helping to dilute the erosive effect.

Lime adds zest and zest to your drinks and meals. Wash limes before using them to avoid cross-contamination, as bacteria from the skin can be transferred to your hands or other surfaces when you handle and cut the fruit.

Here are some other tips for including lime in your diet:

• Add a squeeze or two to add more flavor to your water or tea.
• Use the juice or zest in salad dressings, marinades and chutneys.
• Squeeze fresh lime juice over baked salmon or tilapia, or garnish fish with lime slices.
• Enhance your quinoa, couscous and rice dishes with bright citrus flavor by infusing lime juice or zest into your cooking liquid.
• Refrigerate halved or quartered limes in an airtight container and store for up to five days.