Top 5 Health Benefits of Persian Limes
Are Persian limes healthy? From vitamin C to antioxidants and more, Persian limes are bursting with nutrients. Read on to know more about their health benefits.
Are limes healthy?
Absolutely. Like other citrus fruits, limes aren't just flavorful, they also come with a bunch of health benefits.
Of course, that includes Persian or Tahitian limes. Here, we'll talk a bit about what Persian limes are and their awesome health benefits.
What Are Persian Limes?
Tahitian or Persian limes are native to southern Iraq and Iran. Botanists believe they were first introduced to the Mediterranean area, then carried to Brazil. In the late 1800s, Persian limes made it to California.
What makes Persian limes different from other popular types of limes such as key limes and Kaffir or Thai limes is they're usually seedless. Also, compared to key limes, Persian limes have a less intense aroma and flavor. But they're considered more valuable in commercial agriculture because their fruits are bigger and have a longer shelf life.
5 Amazing Health Benefits of Persian Limes
Aside from Persian limes being rich in vitamin C, Persian limes contain citric acid, which is a natural preservative and antioxidant. They also have more vitamin A (another antioxidant) in them than lemons, plus a good enough amount of minerals including iron, calcium, potassium, and copper.
Given this nutritional profile, it's not at all surprising why Persian limes are associated with a number of health benefits. These include:
1. Heart Health
Research shows that high vitamin C concentrations in the blood can help reduce the risk of CVD or cardiovascular disease and early death. But it's best to get your vitamin C from fruit and vegetable sources rather than supplements.
With Persian limes, you get 29.1 mg of vitamin C for every 100 g of fruit you consume. Keep in mind that for adults, the recommended daily amount (RDA) for vitamin C is 65 to 90 mg daily. Since Persian limes are bigger, you can easily meet that RDA just by eating one fruit.
2. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
Persian limes have many compounds responsible for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. These include cardiac glycosides, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. All these compounds are effective against different strains of microorganisms such as S. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella, etc.
3. Immune System Booster
The advice that you should eat more vitamin C-rich foods during the winter months is true. Eating limes and other citrus fruits can help your immune system fight against germs that cause flu and colds, which are more prevalent during colder months.
4. Healthy Skin
If your skin is looking dull, consider eating Persian limes and other foods high in vitamin C. Not only can they help you fight sun damage, but they can also help soften wrinkles and improve the overall texture of your skin.
That's because vitamin C helps promotes the production of collagen, which is essential for increasing the elasticity of your skin and limiting free radical damage.
5. Digestive Help
Does your tummy feel weird after eating? If you're feeling constipated or gassy, you can use Persian limes as a home remedy.
The flavonoids in them can help stimulate your digestive system, while the oils in their rinds can help ease the pain from stomach gases.
Interested in Learning More About Persian Limes?
For more info on Persian limes, feel free to check out more on our citrus blog. We also provide a ton of other valuable citrus information in our citrus blog, and offer an array of exotic citrus fruits!
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