Blood sugar control: Limes and other citrus fruits are considered a diabetes superfood for a number of reasons. This fact is even endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. The high levels of soluble fiber found in limes helps it regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This helps reduce the occurrence of blood sugar spikes which are a serious risk to people with unhealthy blood sugar levels. In addition to the benefits of soluble fiber’s effect, limes and other citrus fruits also have a low glycemic index, which again helps in controlling blood sugar spikes.
Heart disease: That same soluble fiber which can help diabetics maintain their blood sugar levels can also lower blood pressure and eliminate the presence of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol). Furthermore, soluble fiber can cut down on inflammation of the blood vessels, which is now considered the main culprit in cardiovascular problems.
Skin care: Lime juice and its natural oils are beneficial for skin when consumed orally or applied externally. Drinking warm lime water helps to hydrate the skin. The vitamin C and flavonoids in lime juice help rejuvenate the skin, keep it shining. And its antibiotic and disinfectant properties protect it from infections and reduce body odor.
When applied externally on skin, its acids scrub out the dead cells, cure dandruff, rashes, and bruises. You can also mix lime juice or oil into your bathing water to create a refreshing bathing experience and leave you with a glow on your face. No wonder many cosmetic ads rave about the benefits of lime juice on the face.
Respiratory disorders: The flavonoid-rich oil that is extracted from limes is extensively used in anti-congestive medicines such as balms, vaporizers and inhalers due to the presence of kaempferol. In fact, just scratching the peel of a lime and inhaling it gives immediate relief for congestion and nausea.
Fever: Vitamin C, found in high concentrations in citrus fruits like lime, naturally lowers body temperature. If you are suffering from a fever, limes and lime juice can be of great importance.
Joint care: One of the many causes of joint discomfort is an excess of uric acid that builds up in the body. Uric acid is one of the waste products that normal urination will clear out of the body, but unfortunately, when too much builds up, it can settle in and around joints and cause pain and inflammation.
Weight loss: A glass of warm water with a full lime’s worth of juice in it is an excellent weight reducer as well as a brilliant refresher and antioxidant drink. The citric acid present in lime is an excellent fat burner. You can consume two glasses a day and see legitimate and remarkable results within a week. Some people have also got long-lasting weight-loss benefits by just sucking on a wedge of lime half an hour before a meal.
Scurvy: In the past, soldiers and sailors were given lime to keep them safe from scurvy, the potentially fatal disease which is caused from a deficiency of vitamin C. People with scurvy suffer from repeated infections and the most common symptoms are cracked lips and lip corners, ulcers in the oral cavity (tongue and mouth) and normal cold symptoms.
Digestive aid: The moment you smell lime, your mouth waters because its irresistible smell triggers a response and saliva floods your mouth even before you taste it. And as you know, saliva is an important aid in digestion. But that’s not all. The natural acidity in lime helps in the breakdown of the macro molecules of the food.
The flavonoids help as well. These compounds found in the fragrant lime oils stimulate the digestive system and increase secretion of digestive juices, bile and acids. This flood of flavonoids also stimulate the muscles that help the food go down the intestine. In fact, lime is such an important digestive aid that most restaurants in India have lime pickle as a standard feature on the table along with salt and pepper.
Source : belmarrahealth.com