Immune & Recovery
Lime
A tart citrus fruit whose juice is a concentrated source of vitamin C and citric acid, useful well beyond flavoring.
Immunity
Detox
Skin Health
Serving
1 lime, juiced (2 tbsp / 30ml)
Calories Per Serving
8
Key nutrients
Vitamin C, citric acid, flavonoids
Nutrient density
Not officially rated
Why it’s worth eating
Limes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, supporting immune and skin health. Use fresh lime juice in drinks, dressings, or over dishes for a citrusy kick.
What you may notice
Cold/flu frequency
Digestive comfort
Markers worth tracking
Vitamin C status
Iron and ferritin (in combination with iron-rich meals)
How to eat it
Use fresh-squeezed rather than bottled juice when possible, bottled lime juice loses vitamin C over time and often contains preservatives.
Pairs well with
Iron-rich foods (beans, leafy greens), vitamin C dramatically improves absorption of non-heme iron
Healthy fats, a squeeze of lime brightens fat-rich dishes like avocado without nutritional downside
Storage
Store at room temperature for about a week, or refrigerate for up to a month.
The numbers, per 1 lime, juiced (2 tbsp / 30ml)
0%
Vitamin K
0%
Vitamin A
10%
Vitamin C
0%
Calcium
0%
Iron
1%
Magnesium
1%
Potassium
0%
Vitamin B12
0%
Vitamin D
Fiber
0.1g
Lime juice, raw (FDC 168155)
Evidence
D
HONEST FLAG on efficacy, but two well-documented practical findings: a phototoxic burn risk and a CYP3A4 interaction that is real but weaker than grapefruit.
Study dose vs. serving
Lime juice actually contained HIGHER bergamottin (100 umol/L) than grapefruit (25 umol/L), yet grapefruit remains the primary clinical offender because it produces stronger irreversible intestinal CYP3A4 inactivation lasting over 24 h. Lime belongs to the same interaction class but its clinical effect is smaller.
Margarita Photodermatitis. N Engl J Med. 1993;328:891. Plus Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Bend JR. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2003;73(6):529-537 (CYP3A4 comparison).
Use caution if
You have acid reflux, citrus can worsen symptoms in sensitive people
You apply lime juice to skin before sun exposure, can cause a phototoxic skin reaction known as 'margarita burn'
Details
Type
Fruits & Veg
Season
Imported, year-round
Forms
Fresh, juice, zest, oil
Price
Budget
Bioactive
Vitamin C and limonene; plus furanocoumarins (bergamottin, 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin)
Heat stable
Partial - vitamin C is heat-labile; furanocoumarins concentrate in peel and juice
Watch
MARGARITA BURN (phytophotodermatitis): the classic NEJM report describes a man who squeezed five dozen limes then sunbathed, developing blistering bullae on both hands. A recent case (Cureus. 2024;16:e59674) documents the same. Furanocoumarins plus UV-A produce a delayed phototoxic reaction 24-48 h later, often as hyperpigmented streaks, and it is frequently misdiagnosed as allergic dermatitis, burns, or even abuse.
Reliability
2 / 5
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