Citrus fruits including lime are often sliced or squeezed into beverages for a refreshing change from the ordinary plain drink. The combination of lime and warm water may also confer nutritional benefits as well as contributing to your health through proper hydration. Lime juice in warm water can be included in nearly any diet, because the juice of a single medium lime contains approximately 20 calories, no sodium and no sugar. Check with your doctor before making significant changes to your dietary habits.
Potential for Decreased Cancer Risk
Lime juice is a rich source of phytochemicals, including the antioxidant vitamin C. According to the University of California, Davis, individuals who consume large quantities of vegetables and fruits, including limes, have approximately half the risk of developing cancer than their counterparts who don't consume enough fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits are high in substances known as limonoids. These substances appear to contribute to a resistance to certain types of cancer when consumed regularly, notes the university.
Improved Immunity
A single medium-size lime provides approximately 35 percent of your recommended daily requirement for vitamin C. This nutrient is a powerful antioxidant that your body is unable to manufacture without an outside source from food or supplements. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, despite the widely held belief that vitamin C can cure a cold, research doesn't support this mechanism. Instead, consuming vitamin C on a regular basis appears to decrease the duration of a cold. Drinking warm water with lime juice on a regular basis, therefore, probably won't ward off a cold, but may help you get over it faster.
Decreased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
The vitamin C in lime juice may help prevent damage to the arteries of your cardiovascular system. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that while vitamin C does not appear to decrease cholesterol, it does appear to reduce the amount of plaque buildup that LDL or "bad" cholesterol can cause in your arteries. Drinking warm water with lime juice on a regular basis may also reduce your risk of developing hypertension, which is associated with several cardiovascular ailments including stroke and heart attack.
Reduced Risk for Osteoarthritis
Because lime juice can provide as much as one-third of your daily requirement of vitamin C, it can be a significant contributor to the health of your hair, skin and nails. Your body uses vitamin C to make collagen, which is used to build these structures. Additionally, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that individuals who regularly consume a diet rich in vitamin C have a decreased risk of being diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the joints are damaged by the presence of substances known as free radicals. Vitamin C's antioxidant abilities can decrease the damage caused by these harmful substances.
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