What’s in a lime?

As with all citrus fruits, limes provide lots of vitamin C and some B vitamins. They are also rich in a plant compound called flavonoids.

In the 19th century the British sailors were given a daily allowance of limes to prevent scurvy. It presented itself initially with symptoms of fatigue and lethargy, then spots especially on the thighs and legs, spongy gums, bleeding mucous membranes and finally open wounds, loss of teeth, jaundice, fever and even death!

So vitamin C is very important for your health, it helps to maintain healthy connective tissue, acts as an anti oxidant against free radicals, and helps with the absorption of iron from your diet. It resists bacterial and viral diseases, controls blood cholesterol levels and is important for normal brain and nerve function and in tooth and bone formation.

B vitamins are water soluble and needed for the production and repair of body tissues, and maintaining healthy mucous surfaces such as your skin and digestive organs. They are essential for proper utilisation of the brain and nerves, are nature’s own anti depressants, and are important coenzymes in the conversion of many body processes.

Flavonoids are most commonly known for their antioxidant activity, and there has been more interest in them recently for their possible role in the prevention of cancers and cardiovascular disease. They can enhance the power of vitamin C, protect blood vessels from rupture, protect your cells from oxygen damage and prevent excessive inflammation in your body.

So limes and other citrus fruits are a good food source and even better is that they are alkaline once digested. Drinking water with lemon or lime in, is a great way to alkalise your body – try it, it all helps.

Wyndham Health