Lemon Or Lime, Which Citrus Fruit Is Best For Health?

Lemon and lime are two types of citrus fruits with similar health benefits and nutritional profiles. However, they are slightly different from each other.

Lemon, a bright yellow fruit with oval shape, is grown in a small evergreen tree and it is a native of South Asia. This fruit is mostly found in regions with moderate climates.

On the other hand, lime is dark green in color and it is round in shape. This fruit is a native to Southeast Asia and it is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Both the citric fruits are used as key ingredients in many traditional medicines. It is because these fruits offer lot of health benefits as they contain minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.

While lime takes a slight lead in macronutrient contents, like calorie and carb, lemon provides more Vitamin C, potassium and folate and vitamin B6.

However, Vitamin C is the main content in lime and lemon. It is not only an important antioxidant but also helps the body in healing wounds. Vitamin C plays an important role in protecting cells from getting damaged. It is also known for supporting the immune system by helping the body in absorbing iron content from foods. Vitamin C is even popular for the production of collagen, an important content for repairing wounds.

Another important pigment found in both the citrus fruits are flavonoids. Several studies on animals and cells have suggested that these photochemicals have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, cancer fighting and antidiabetic properties. Flavonoids are also believed to be good for metabolic disorders and heart diseases.

These fruits are also known as good sources of dietary fiber. According to a study titled “History, Global Distribution, and Nutritional Importance of Citrus Fruits”, these citrus fruits are associated with lowered circulating cholesterol and gastrointestinal disease prevention.

“This can easily bulk up the stool, reduce constipation, and eliminate excess gas and bloat. With about 3g of fiber in each fruit, it represents about 10 percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber,” lead researcher Sherry Tanumihardjo from the University of Wisconsin- Madison said in the review study.

Lemon is also believed to play an important role in losing weight. Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that this fruit can lead to weight loss, it is part of many healthy diets.

However, too much consumption of lemon or lime can cause cavities over time since they can erode tooth enamel. These citrus fruits are not good for people with several digestive problems, such as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The high acidity content in them can worsen heartburn.