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10 Health Reasons Why You Should Eat More Limes

Limes can do much more for our skin and overall health than just adding a refreshing zest to a drink, cleansing our body and boosting our immunity. Below you’ll find 10 great health benefits of the humble lime.
 

 

 

1. Skin Care

Lime rejuvenates the skin and protects it from infection. Furthermore, it also helps to decrease body odor due to the presence of vitamin C and flavonoids. Both lime juice and lime essential oil are high in antioxidants and have antibiotic and disinfectant properties.

When applied to the skin, its acids scrub out dead cells and cure dandruff, bruises, and rashes. It can also be used to create a refreshing bathing experience if its juice or oil is added to your bath.

2. Treats Scurvy

Lime is a well-known cure for scurvy, a disease that is caused due to a vitamin C deficiency. It’s characterized by frequent infections that show up as normal cold symptoms, cracked lips, and ulcers on the tongue and in the mouth. You may also have spongy, swollen, and bleeding gums.

In the past, sailors and soldiers were given limes to protect them from scurvy, which was a potentially fatal disease back then. Even now, limes are distributed among those who work in polluted environments such as furnaces, painting shops, mines, and cement factories to protect them from scurvy. A moderate intake of vitamin C can be gained from limes and can help keep you away from scurvy.

3. Relieves Constipation

Limes

The amount of acid present in limes helps to clear the excretory system by washing and cleaning the tracts, just like some acids are used to clean toilets and floors. The roughage in the lime is also helpful in easing constipation. An overdose of lime juice with salt also acts as an excellent purgative without any side effects, thereby relieving constipation.

4. Aids in Digestion

Lime has an irresistible odor that causes your mouth to water and this aids in primary digestion. The natural acidity of the lime does the rest. While the acids break down the macromolecules of the food, the flavonoids, the compounds which are found in the fragrant oils extracted from limes, stimulate the digestive system and increase secretion of bile, digestive juices, and acids. This flood of flavonoids also stimulates peristaltic motion.

 

5. Manages Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association, limes (and other citrus fruits) are a superfood for those suffering from diabetes for a number of reasons. Mainly, the high levels of soluble fiber found in limes make them ideal at regulating the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, reducing the occurrence of blood sugar spikes that are a serious risk to diabetic patients. Furthermore, limes have a low glycemic index, which means they will not cause an unexpected spike in glucose levels.

6. Prevents Heart Disease

Limes

That same soluble fiber which can help diabetics maintain their blood sugar levels can also decrease blood pressure and eliminate the presence of LDL cholesterol. To add to this, soluble fiber can cut down inflammation in the blood vessels, which is a known preventative against heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

7. Treats Respiratory Disorders

The flavonoid-rich oil that can be extracted from limes is extensively used in anti-congestive medicines such as balms, inhalers, and vaporizers due to the presence of kaempferol. Just scratching the peel of a lime and inhaling it can give immediate relief from congestion and nausea.

8. Treats Gout

There are two main causes of gout. The first is the accumulation of free radicals in the body, and the second is an accumulation of toxins in the body, primarily uric acid. Limes can help to prevent both of these causes. They are a wonderful source of antioxidants and detoxifiers which reduce the number of free radicals as well as detoxify the body.

9. Treats Arthritis

Limes

One of the many causes of arthritis is an excess build-up of uric acid in the body. This is a waste product that normal urination usually clears out the body, but unfortunately, when too much of it builds up, it can make the pain and inflammation from arthritis a lot worse.

The citric acid that is found in limes is a solvent in which uric acid can dissolve, increasing the amount that is eliminated in the urine. Citrus fruits, in general, have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for a range of inflammatory issues.

10. Treats Urinary Disorders

The high potassium content in limes is very effective at removing toxic substances and the precipitates deposited in the kidney and bladder. This disinfectant property of lime also helps to cure infections in the urinary system. Furthermore, it stops prostate growth and clears blockages of urine caused by the build-up of calcium in the urinary tract.

 

Source: organicfacts
Images: depositphotos

 

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