Hydrate in style with this nutritious take on water

You’ve probably heard that you should consume eight glasses, or 64 ounces, of water each day. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine claim that certain people need to drink even more than that.

However, doing it and knowing it are two distinct things.

The average adult barely consumes 44 ounces of water per day, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. The results for kids and teenagers were considerably worse: They only consume an average of 23 ounces daily.

Adding lemon or lime juice to water is one of the CDC’s suggestions for enhancing water consumption habits. Although it takes some getting used to, for those who want a little extra flavor, it can be enough motivation to drink eight glasses a day and possibly more.

The humble lime also carries quite a nutritional punch, which is another good reason to switch to it. The health advantages of staying hydrated speak for themselves. The worth of lime water may be even higher than the total of its components, as is true of any dynamic duo.

Carly Sedlacek, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian, and nutritionist, explained why this minor change to your regular water routine can be worthwhile.

What is lime water?

Water that has been flavored with freshly squeezed lime juice is exactly what it says it is: lime water.

You can use as much or as little of the fruit as your taste buds require; the ratio of lime juice to water isn’t exact. Start by cutting the (thoroughly washed) fruit into quarters and squeezing one slice of lime into your cup if you’re unsure of how much lime flavor you’d like.

Drop the wedge into the water after you’ve squeezed it if you want to add even more citrus flavor to your beverage.

Place your lime water in the fridge overnight to achieve a richer flavor.

Limes vs. lemons

Lemons and limes are both considered to be citrus fruits. Fruits from the Rutaceae family include citrus.

Additionally, pectin, a soluble fiber found in both lemons and limes, has been shown to support heart function. They both have calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, B, C, and D in their nutritional profiles.

Although limes and lemons are nutritionally similar, limes, which are a member of the citrus family, can offer health advantages like boosting your immune system and aiding in the absorption of micronutrients.

Health benefits of Limes

Lime water has numerous health advantages, much like lemon water. The reason for this is that, in Sedlacek’s words, “Limes are packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients.” Here is a list of the common health advantages of drinking lime water.

Increases hydration

We are largely made of water. Dehydration thus affects every one of our physical processes. We function slightly better when we drink adequate water, from digestion to oxygen distribution throughout our body.

Your water intake may increase if you add lime to it. Additionally, it’s healthier than the majority of the other methods we flavor our water, such as artificial sweeteners.

Improves skin

Water consumption is recommended at all times because the skin likes hydration. An even better option is to bolster the water with a fruit that is rich in vitamin C.

Why? Because vitamin C encourages the formation of collagen in addition to lightening your complexion. Your skin naturally tightens and firms up due to collagen.

Helps digestion

You probably already know that your stomach’s acid aids in the digestion of the food you eat. But did you know that as we age, our acid levels tend to decrease? Lime juice can replace that acid in the stomach.

It’s also important to note that water consumption eases constipation.

Boosts immunity

Have you been unwell frequently lately? Your immune system may be compromised by your diet.

You can improve your situation by taking more vitamin C (within reason; too much can create stomach issues). Your white blood cells quantity and quality can both rise thanks to vitamin C. Sedlacek explains that maintaining proper hydration aids in the production of lymph, which transports white blood cells throughout the body.

In addition, limes include antioxidants that reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.

Shorter and less frequent illness episodes are the result.

Helps to control blood sugar

People who are keeping an eye on their blood sugar may find lime water to be especially helpful. Due to limes’ low glycemic index, daylong erratic sugar swings can be avoided.

Encourages healthy weight reduction

Everyone is aware that healthy weight loss methods call for eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and water. But did you know that a 24-year study discovered a link between increasing citrus consumption and weight loss? Although we cannot conclude that greater citrus juice consumption is equally connected with weight loss, it is unquestionably a positive development.

Lime juice is abundant in micronutrients, low in calories, and has a high water and fiber content, according to Sedlacek. “They’re incredibly healthy for us, but most of us won’t eat them as snacks. The juice, without additional sugar, represents our finest effort.

Improves iron absorption

It’s crucial to consume a lot of vitamin C if you have iron deficiency anemia or fail to get enough iron in your diet.

The vitamin C in lime water aids your body in better absorbing those minerals when ingested along with your preferred iron-rich diet. That’s fantastic news because low iron levels can cause fatigue, hair loss, restless legs syndrome, and a variety of other unpleasant symptoms.

May lower risk of kidney stones, cancer, and heart disease.

Lime water should be consumed daily if kidney stones are a possibility for you. Lime juice contains citrate, which has been demonstrated to dissolve kidney stones and stop their formation.

Lime juice’s vitamin C content and antioxidants are also believed to lessen the strain on the heart.

An investigation conducted in 2021 discovered that the more citrus you consume, the lower your risk of developing lung cancer is, however it is undoubtedly less conclusive than some of the other protective qualities of lime. If those results apply to citrus juice generally, more research is required.

Sedlacek observes that while limes “are by no means a panacea, they are a welcome addition to a healthy diet.”

Should you drink lime water daily?

As with normal water, there is no need to limit how much lime water you consume each day. Despite the rarity, hyponatremia can occur, so regardless of flavoring, be sure to watch how much water you drink.

If you drink it daily, you’re more likely to experience the health advantages. Your best option is to replace fruit juice or a sweet coffee beverage with lime water first thing in the morning.

“Starting your day with a sugary drink will make it harder to stay on course throughout the day,” Sedlacek continues. A glass of lime water will satisfy your taste buds without making you hungry.

The bottom lime

Not only does adding lime juice to water make it taste better, but it also enhances the many health advantages that come with staying well hydrated. A quick, inexpensive, and simple method to enhance your nutrition is to include this new habit in your daily routine.

Disclaimer

The information provided at this site is only meant for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical care from a qualified health care provider. The reader should speak with their doctor to assess whether the information is suitable for their condition due to individual needs that are specific to them.