Fresh limes are used to make lime juice, which is full of citric acid, vitamin C, antioxidants, and small amounts of minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Lime juice can be good for your health in a number of ways, such as boosting your immune system since it has a lot of vitamin C, which can help keep you from getting colds and sore throats. It also gets digestive juices going, helps with bowel motions, and might help with gas, bloating, and constipation.
Lime juice contains citric acid, which helps the liver work better and gradually starts the body’s natural cleansing process when drunk in the morning. Lime also has natural enzymes that may help with weight control by making you less hungry, making you feel fuller, and speeding up your metabolism a little bit. Its antioxidants fight free radicals, which slows down the indications of aging. Vitamin C helps make collagen, which makes skin healthier.
Even though it tastes sour, lime juice makes the body more alkaline, which helps balance out too much acidity.
A close-up of a tumbler of lime juice. Photo by Pexels for illustration
But if you don’t use lime juice correctly, it can hurt you. It has a lot of acid in it, which can wear down dental enamel and make teeth sensitive, especially if you drink it often and don’t rinse your mouth afterward. People who have had stomach problems in the past may get stomach pain, acid reflux, or heartburn if they drink a lot of it or eat it on an empty stomach.
Lime juice that hasn’t been watered down can also throw off the balance of electrolytes and make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients. It could also mess with other medicines, like blood pressure meds, antidepressants, and antibiotics.
It is best to drink half to one lime each day, along with 250–500 ml of water, to safely enjoy lime juice. Drink it in the morning, after a light snack or around 30 minutes before a meal. Don’t drink it if you have acid reflux, ulcers, or sensitive teeth, or if you’re hungry.
Dr. Tran Duc Canh
Deputy Head of the Endoscopy and Functional Exploration Department at K National Center Hospital
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