Limes: Nutrition, Benefits, And Diet - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeEverything you need to know about limes

Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Written by Peter Morales-Brown — Updated on July 25, 2023

Nutrition
Benefits
Diet
Risks

Limes are a citrus fruit often used to accent flavors in foods. Limes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which may improve immunity, support heart health, aid iron absorption, and promote healthy skin.

Limes are a common ingredient in Mexican, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine. They are grown year-round in tropical climates and are usually smaller and less sour than lemons.

The Tahitian or Persian lime is the most commonly used variety in cooking. Key limes are smaller, rounder, and more acidic than Tahitian limes, and they are known for their use in Key Lime pie, a classic dessert.

One of the places commonly associated with growing limes is Key West, FL. However, this is a misconception – almost no limes are grown there today. They are mainly grown in subtropical climates, such as Mexico, India, and Egypt.

This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods. It provides a nutritional breakdown of limes and an in-depth look at its possible health benefits, as well as tips on how to incorporate more limes into your diet and any potential health risks of consuming limes.

Fast facts on limes

One lime can provide 32 percent of the vitamin C needed in a day.
The nutrients in limes can support heart, reduce the risk of asthma, and promote healthy skin.
Lime juice and zest can also be used to flavor drinks and dishes.
Be sure to wash the peel, even if you are planning to discard it.

Nutrition

limes — One lime can provide 32 percent of your required daily vitamin C.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, the juice of one lime that weighs approximately 44 grams (g) contains:

11 calories
3.7 g of carbohydrate
0.74 g of sugar
0.1 g of fiber
0.13 g of protein

Limes are renowned for their vitamin C content. One lime with a 2-inch diameter provides 32 percent of an individual’s recommended daily vitamin C intake.

The juice from one lime provides 22 percent of the daily amount.

Benefits

Consuming all types of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.

Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like limes decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and lower overall weight.

Vitamin C has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality and act as an antioxidant. Antioxidants can help counteract harmful, disease-causing free radical cells. Limes are a highly concentrated source of vitamin C.

Heart health

Vitamin C is linked to a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular issues, although other nutrients common in fruit and vegetables, such as fiber content, are also thought to play a role.

In an animal study published by the ARYA Atherosclerosis journal, lime juice and peel was shown to decrease fatty streaks found in coronary arteries. These streaks are indicators of plaque buildup and cardiovascular disease.

A 2013 meta-analysis of studies showed that low vitamin C levels are associated with an increased risk of stroke.

Antimicrobial activity

Lime juice has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties.

A recent study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine linked the effects of consuming citrus to controlling Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections.

Asthma prevention

The risks of developing asthma are lower in people who consume high amounts of certain nutrients. Low levels of vitamin C are commonly found in people with asthma, leading researchers to believe that there is a relationship between vitamin C consumption and asthma prevention.

One recent study also showed that vitamin C could help protect against the triggering of asthma symptoms by air pollution.

Increasing iron absorption

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world.

Pairing foods that are high in vitamin C with foods that are rich in iron will maximize the body’s ability to absorb iron, particularly when taking in iron from plant-based iron sources.

Boosting the immune system

Foods that are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants can help the immune system battle germs that cause a cold or flu. Vitamin C helps the immune system to produce more cells and also improves those cells’ ability to kill microbes and protect the body against disease.

Maintaining a diet high in fruits and vegetables is especially important during the winter months. During this time, physical activity levels tend to decrease and seasonal diseases, such as the flu, gain momentum.

Healthy skin

The natural form of vitamin C, when consumed from fresh produce rather than in supplements, has a number of cosmetic benefits. It can help fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles, and improve the overall texture of the skin.

Adequate intake of vitamin C is also needed for building and maintaining the collagen that provides structure to skin and hair.

Lowering risk of stroke

According to the American Heart Association, eating higher amounts of citrus fruits may lower ischemic stroke risk for women. In one study, participants who ate the highest amounts of citrus had a risk of ischemic stroke 19 percent lower than those who consumed the lowest.

Diet

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Top white fish with lime to add a kick.

Lime is often used as a garnish, flavoring, or topping. There are plenty of ways to make sure that you are consuming enough lime, including:

Top any white fish with thinly sliced limes.
Combine lime juice with oil and any seasoning for a quick dressing.
Squeeze lime juice into water or tea.
Top entrees with lime zest or use zest in marinades.

You can also try these delicious recipes developed by registered dietitians to provide maximum flavor and benefit:

Cilantro-lime tuna patties
Edamame, black bean, and corn quesadillas

Risks

Wash the peels of limes even if you are not planning on using them. Bacteria from the peel can transfer to the inside of the fruit during the process of cutting via the knife. When zesting a lime, use organic limes if possible.

It is better to eat a diet with variety than concentrate on individual nutrients. The overall eating pattern is the key to good health.

Limes are a zesty, flavorsome, and nutritious addition to a wide range of meals and dishes.

Dermatology
Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Immune System / Vaccines
Nutrition / Diet

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Amurugam, A., Gunasekaran, N., & Perumal, S. (2014, January). The medicinal and nutritional role of underutilized citrus fruit – Citrus hystrix (Kaffir lime) [Abstract]: A review. Drug Invention Today, 6(1), 1http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/94734074/medicinal-nutritional-role-underutilized-citrus-fruit-citrus-hystrix-kaffir-lime-review
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Boshtam, M., Asgary, S., Moshtaghian, J., Naderi, G., & Jafari-Danani, N. (2013, November). Impacts of fresh lime juice and peel on atherosclerosis progression in an animal model [Abstract]. ARYA Atherosclerosis, 9(6), 357-362https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24575139
Carr, A. C. (2017, November 3). Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients, 9(11), E1211https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29099763
Cassidy, A., Rimm, E. B., O'Reilly, E. J., Logroscino, G., Kay, C. (2012, March 26). Dietary flavonoids and risk of stroke in women. Stroke, 43(4), 946-951http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/43/4/946
Chen, G-C., Da-Bing, L., Pang, Z., & Liu, Q-F. (2013, December). Vitamin C intake, circulating vitamin C, and risk of stroke: A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Journal of the American Heart Association, 2(6), e000329https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3886767/
Cilantro-lime tuna patties. (2014, February 13)http://orlandodietitian.com/2014/02/13/cilantro-lime-tuna-patties/
Edamame, black bean, and corn quesadillas with lime crema. (2013, October 25)http://orlandodietitian.com/2013/10/25/edamame-black-bean-and-corn-quesadillas-with-lime-crema/
Limes, raw. (n.d.)http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-Lime000000000000000000000.html
Mandalari, G., Bisignano, C., Cirmi, S., & Navarra, M. (2017, March). Effectiveness of Citrus fruits on Helicobacter pylori. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 8379262https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5376954/
Martín-Calvo, N. & Martínez-González, M. A. (2017, September). Vitamin C intake is inversely associated with cardiovascular mortality in a cohort of Spanish graduates: The SUN project. Nutrients, 9(9), 954https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622714/
Micronutrient deficiencies. (n.d.)http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/ida/en/
Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017, August 12). The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/
Vitamin C. (2016, February 11)https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
Michels, A. J. (2011, September). Vitamin C and skin healthhttp://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). (2013, July 16)https://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid

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Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Written by Peter Morales-Brown — Updated on July 25, 2023

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