All about the benefits and dangers of lime
On the shelves of many supermarkets can be found lime.This citrus fruit is characterized by pronounced sourness, so it can be a great alternative to an ordinary lemon. Many housewives add lime to various dishes. It allows you to give them a unique taste and aroma. Very popular are also drinks with this ingredient in the composition.
Let's see what are the beneficial properties of this citrus, whether it can cause harm to the body. We will also learn how to properly use it for young ladies who want to lose weight.
Chemical composition
Lime belongs to citrus, characterized by low calorie content. 100 grams contains 17 kilocalories. The structure of this citrus is rich in vitamins C, B, K, A, PP, malic, folic, citric acids.
Also in the composition of the fruit are the following mineral elements:
- iron;
- calcium;
- manganese;
- sodium;
- zinc;
- potassium;
- copper.
Thanks to a combination of ascorbic acid and potassium, cholesterol is eliminated from the blood, resulting in the normal functioning of the heart muscle. This combination of vitamins and microelements contributes to the production of collagen (this substance is the main "building block" of epithelial tissue). As a result, vascular walls are strengthened, the risk of early aging of the cells and the organism as a whole is reduced. Thanks to a combination of malic and citric acid, citrus helps activate the process of iron absorption, thereby improving blood quality.
There are almost no fats and carbohydrates in lime. At the same time, thanks to dietary fibers and acids, the digestion process is activated, as a result of which fats break down better.
In the skin of this fruit there is a large amount of essential oils. Their pleasant aroma can be felt when the fruit is peeled to the pulp. Contained aroma oils help to normalize a person's psycho-emotional state, stimulate the production of serotonin (a hormone responsible for the feeling of joy).
What is useful fruit?
The benefits of lime are due to the high content of vitamins and valuable nutrients. Due to this, citrus has a beneficial effect on human health:
- promotes the production of red blood cells, resulting in an improvement in blood circulation;
- allows you to gently expand the vessels without traumatizing them, and also cleans them, eliminating blood clots;
- increases the internal forces of the body in the fight against various infectious and catarrhal diseases;
- improves the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- allows fabrics to be updated at the micro level;
- removes radioactive particles, oxides of heavy metals, as well as slags and toxic elements;
- protects against the appearance of wrinkles and the first signs of age-related changes on the skin;
- helps to clean the intestines, resulting in a quick disposal of extra pounds;
- allows you to withstand stressful situations, improves mood;
- energizes, gives strength for the whole day;
- stimulates the work of brain neurons;
- activates visual and mental function;
- helps to cope with bad breath;
- used to combat periodontal disease and bleeding gums, can be used to prevent stomatitis;
- helps prevent infection with such a serious illness as cholera;
- raises blood pressure, which is very important for people suffering from hypotension;
- used in the treatment of various ailments that are respiratory in nature (for example, sore throats, flu, acute respiratory infections).
The lime zest has unique beneficial properties.
- Since the lime peel contains a large amount of esters, they produce oils used in cosmetics to fight acne and purulent pimples. At the same time, they allow to improve the condition of not only the skin, but also curls.
- Lemon peel has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties.To activate the immune system, the lime rind needs to be dried and added during tea brewing.
- The dietary fibers present in the skin of this citrus fruit are responsible for carbohydrate metabolism. The action of these substances prevents the transformation of glucose into fat. This is very important for women who are watching their figure.
- Many housewives use fresh or dried lime zest as a spice. This spice increases appetite and leads to normal digestive processes.
Lime juice also has a positive effect on the human body.
- The highest content of vitamin C is observed precisely in fresh juice. The amount of this vitamin allows you to use lime juice as a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory agent.
- In alternative medicine, this juice is used to remove warts and papillomas, as well as an effective remedy against various viruses.
- Lime juice has a laxative effect. It allows you to clear the intestines from stagnant processes, removing toxic and heavy substances from the stomach and liver. Due to the diuretic property, this drink reduces the swelling of the internal organs, as well as the arms and legs.
- Fresh lime can be used to whiten the dermis. It is the basis of various cosmetic products that allow you to cope with freckles, pigment spots, as well as reddened areas of the skin.
- Since this drink contains almost no calories, it is suitable for women who want to lose weight. If you use fresh in the morning, you can get a charge of energy and vigor, which is enough for the whole day. Cold lime juice is also distinguished by its refreshing effect; it quenches thirst perfectly in the hot summer.
- For women who seek to rejuvenate or tighten the skin, as well as struggling with the manifestation of cellulite, water treatments with the addition of the juice of this citrus will be effective. Usually half a liter of fresh juice is poured into a water bath (approximately 200 liters). This procedure not only has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, but also allows you to relax in the process of aromatherapy.
Contraindications and harm
Despite its beneficial properties, lime is not shown to everyone. Do not use this fruit to young children whose age has not reached 3 years. Otherwise, it may cause a serious allergic reaction.
Contraindications apply to people who suffer from diseases such as:
- acute form of jade;
- pancreatitis and liver disease;
- cholecystitis;
- various colitis and enterocolitis;
- peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.
Due to the high content of acids and essential oils, excessive consumption of such citrus fruits can exacerbate certain types of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
When eating citrus for food, take care to carefully remove the seeds, because they are poisonous, and therefore can cause severe food poisoning.
You will learn more about the benefits and contraindications of eating lime by watching the following video.
Tips on drinking
Many women use lime for weight loss, mixing fresh juice with warm purified water. To make this drink you will need:
- half lime;
- a glass of warm water;
- a pinch of sea or Himalayan salt.
Squeeze the juice out of half citrus and pour it into a glass of water. Add salt and mix the ingredients well. Salt must be completely dissolved.
This drink has a high content of antioxidants and acids. Due to this, normalization and acceleration of metabolic processes in the body occurs. As a result, the burning of deferred fat layers is observed. The drink has a low calorie, has a pleasant taste and refreshing effect. It is recommended to use it twice a day (in the morning and in the evening). The tangible result can be seen after 7 days.
As an alternative to the usual morning tea, vitamin fresh juice is recommended. To make it you will need:
- one fourth of the pineapple;
- 1 lime;
- 1 bunch of spinach;
- 2 celery stalks;
- a piece of ginger 2.5 centimeters long.
Squeeze the juice from all of the above ingredients using a juicer.
Do not forget to remove the skin from pineapple, lime and ginger.
This drink is characterized by a high content of nutrients that can be used by the fair sex when losing weight.
Lime tea will be an excellent option for people who can not imagine their life without tea taste. It can be an excellent alternative to coffee, because it has an excellent tonic effect. To make it you will need:
- 400 milliliters of water;
- 1 teaspoon green tea;
- 2 teaspoons of dried crushed mint leaves;
- 2 teaspoons lime juice;
- 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey;
- 1 teaspoon dry barberry berries.
In the teapot you need to pour the tea, mint and berries of barberry. Dry components need boiling water and leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes. Then lime and honey are added, the drink is poured into cups.
Tea with lemon, lime and cinnamon has a wonderful refreshing effect. It is better to use it chilled when it is very hot outside. This drink perfectly quench thirst. To prepare it you need to take:
- 750 milliliters of water;
- fourth of lemon;
- fourth of lime;
- 4 teaspoons of sugar or honey;
- a couple of sprigs of mint;
- 1 cinnamon sticks.
Mint, cinnamon and lemon and lime cut into thin slices should be put in the teapot. All components need to pour boiling water. The contents of the kettle insist 15 minutes. After this time, the drink is filtered, honey or sugar is added to it. If you plan to use the drink while losing weight, you should refrain from adding sweetener. This tea will have a pleasant acidity. It will improve the work of the digestive tract, contributing to the early weight loss.
Lime is perfectly combined with white meat or fish, so there are various recipes for sauces, which include this ingredient.
To prepare one of them you will need:
- 1 lime;
- 300 milliliters of cream;
- 10 grams of starch;
- sprig of mint.
Heat the pot by pouring the cream into it, then add the starch. Mix well until a homogeneous consistency. Add finely chopped mint, zest and citrus juice. Boil a few minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Pour the mixture into a blender and whisk thoroughly. The sauce is ready to eat.
Many nutritionists recommend using lime juice as an alternative to the usual table salt. In the process of cooking any dish, add a few drops of fresh lime to give it a salty flavor. At the same time, familiar products will acquire an unusual aroma and taste.
As you see Lime is a unique citrus fruit that allows you to cope with various ailments and diseases, improving the overall condition of the body. In addition, due to its ability to burn fat, this citrus is very much appreciated by the representatives of the fair sex watching their figure.