Lime water, made from fresh lime juice, is a nutritional wonder, supporting digestion, fighting colds, protecting the eyes, and hydrating. It's easy to make, store and have ready for cold or warm drinks.
Lime water, like lemon water, is a great way to hydrate as well as take in nutritional benefits including potassium, vitamin C, and iron. My recipe has a tang from a surprising addition.
What is Lime Water?
Lime water is water with lime juice in it. You can make it by adding homemade lime juice , or bottled, to water, or by just squeezing a lime. Lime water is delicious in water because it has a sweet after taste. In fact, to be sure your water has enough tang, my recipe includes a dash of lemon juice as well.
Lime is often in lemon's shadow, but it carries as much nutritional weight. Limes are rich in nutrients vital to support and protection of the human body including potassium, vitamin C, and iron. Plus, it's loaded with antioxidants and compounds that help several areas of the body stay healthier. Read more about the benefits of drinking lime water below.
Six Benefits of Lime Water
Lime juice adds a slew of nutritional benefits over plain old water. Here are 6:
1. Boosts digestion by providing stimulating flavonoids, magnesium and potassium all of which help break down food and move it along through your system. [source]
2. Strengthens your immune system because of high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants. Lime water can even help bring down a fever thanks to high vitamin C levels which naturally lower body temperature. [source]
3. Provides antioxidants which supports glowing skin, supports main organs and fights off disease.[source]
4. Supports weight loss by stimulating the metabolism.[source]
5. Helps regulate blood sugar. Limes have a low glycemic index thus regulate how your body absorbs sugar into the bloodstream. [source]
6. Cleans your gut with detoxing anti-viral and antiseptic components. [source]
Lime Water Ingredients
Lime Juice - You can use bottled. I suggest an organic brand with only limes as an ingredient. Or you can make fresh homemade lime juice according to my recipe.
Fresh limes - buy at least 8 limes to make a pitcher of lime water. Make sure they are not rock hard, and not to dark a green for best flavor.
Water - water can be any temperature.
Lemon juice - Add only a little. It is the unexpected ingredient that will put a tang in your lime juice.
Make A Glass of Lime Water
1. Wash and cut 2 limes in half. Cut a single thin slice off one, and pop the slices into a glass.
2. Squeeze all halves into that glass to collect the juice. This will give you about 3 tablespoon of juice. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
3. Add 1 cup of water, stir and drink. The water can be chilled or warm.
Make a Pitcher of Lime Water
Using fresh limes or lime juice, do the following:
1. Into a pitcher add the juice from 8 limes (quarter and squeeze) or 1 cup of homemade or bottled lime juice.
2. Add 2 tablespoon of lemon juice.
3. Fill the pitcher with cold water - mine holds about 6 cups cold water, and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
How to Store
Lime water can be refrigerated for about 2 days before losing flavor and nutrients.
You can also freeze lime water in an ice cube tray. Then, the night before, pop a single ice cube in a refrigerated glass and it melts overnight. Over the next few days, I use that to make the drink over a few days.
Expert Tips
How to Juice Limes
1.Microwave them for 10 seconds each before slicing and squeezing.
2. Roll them on the counter using the heel of your hand to break the inside fibers.
Both methods will increase the amount of juice you get from each lime. You should get about 1 cup of juice from 8 limes.
Flavor Variations
Lavender - add a drop or two of culinary lavender extract to the pitcher.
Cherry - add 2 teaspoon of cherry juice to a glass of lime water, and 3 tablespoon to a pitcher.
Pineapple - add 2 teaspoon of pineapple juice to a glass of lime water, and 3 tablespoon to a pitcher.
Power up the flavor
Grate some lime zest into your pitcher or glass of lime water for extra lime essence. Don't add the white part though, that is called the pith and is very bitter in flavor.
Common Questions
How Does Warm Lime Water Help Digestion?
Lime helps your digestion starting with your first sip. Citrus oils call up digestive saliva which sends a message to your digestive system to speed up. When the lime water is warm, this process is faster and more urgent.
Is it Good to Drink Lime Water in the Morning?
Drink lime juice in the morning to reverse constipation. Microwave a glass of lime water in a microwave-safe glass for 45 seconds.
Is it Good to Drink Lime Water at Night?
No, it is best to drink lime water in the morning. Your digestive system likes to shut down for the night so the drink is wasted.
Can I Drink Lime Water Everyday?
Yes, but with a straw to protect your tooth enamel.
Which is Better Lemon or Lime Water?
Both fruits are nutritionally valuable. Limes help the body absorb more calcium [source] which is great for bones, and more vitamin A which supports skin, but lemons are stronger at boosting the immune system. Try my ginger shot recipe made with lemon juice for an immune-boosting shot.
Can You Lose Weight By Drinking Lime Water?
Drinking lemon water or lime water both assist with weight loss. The citric acids in both drinks speed up your metabolism to burn calories and store less fat.
More Detox Drinks to Make
Ginger Shots
Ginger Juice
Celery Juice
Turmeric Shots
Benefits of Lemon Water
Best Green Smoothie
Golden Milk
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Lime Water Recipe
Ingredients
For A Single Serving
- 3 tablespoon lime juice, homemade or bottled or 2 limes squeezed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup water
For A Pitcher
- 1 cup lime juice or 8 limes squeezed
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 6 cups water
Instructions
For a Single Serve
- Add 2 tablespoon of lime juice either homemade or bottled, or from 2 fresh limes, and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to a glass.3 tablespoon lime juice, homemade or bottled, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Then add 1 cup of water.
For a Pitcher
- Add 1 cup of lime juice either homemade or bottled, or from 8 fresh limes, and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to a glass.1 cup lime juice, 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- Then add 6 cups of water.6 cups water
How to drink
- To drink warm, microwave a microwave-safe cup or glass for 1 minute before adding lime juice.
- To drink cold, refrigerate or add ice. Chilled will taste less sweet than warm.
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