Lima

Related Terms

AA, acid lime, Adam's apple, agua de lim?n (Spanish), ascorbic acid, ?-pinene, baladi (Egypt, Sudan), bara nimbu, bijapura, bisabolene, citral, Citrus acida, Citrusaurantiifolia, Citrus lima, Citrus limetta, Citrus limetta var. aromatica, Citrus limmerttioides, Citrus medica var. acida, common lime, dayap (Tagalog), dayalap (Tagalog), dehydrofelodipine (primary metabolite of felodipine), doc (Morocco), felodipine, fenchone, furocoumarins, jeruk neepis (Malay), jeruk nipis (Indonesia), jeruk pecel (Indonesia), key lime, Kr??ch chhmaa muul (Khmer), lamoentsji (Netherlands), lamunchi (Netherlands), large lime, lebu (India), lemmetje (Dutch), lime water, lima ?cida (Portuguese, Spanish), lima boba (Spanish), lima chica (Spanish), limah (Arabic), lim?o galego (Portuguese), limau asam (Malaysia), limau neepis (Malay), limau nipis (Malay), limbu (India), lime (Danish), limeade, lime essential oil, lime flower (Tilia cordata Mill.), lime juice, lime mexicaine (French), lime oil, limetta (Italian), Limettae fructus, Limette, limette acide (French), Limettenbaum (German), Limettenzitrone (German), limettier (French), limey, limoen (Flemish), lim?n agria (Spanish), lim?n agrio (Spanish), lim?n chiquito (Spanish), lim?n corriente (Spanish), lim?n criollo (Spanish), lim?n sutil (Spanish), limonene, Limonia aurantiifolia, limun (India), lim?n baladi (Egypt, Sudan), manao (Thai), Mexican lime, naaw (Laotian), ndimu (East African), nebu (India), nimbu (India), Opuntia vulgaris pads, oxypeucedanin, polyphenolic, Rutaceae (family), saure Limette (German), som manao (Thai), sour lime, suwa (Visayan), sweet limes, terpineol, turanj, West Indian lime.

Background

"Lime" refers to a number of citruses with typically round, green to yellow fruits, which are frequently associated with the lemon. Lime fruit, particularly its juice and zest, is used in food and beverages for its flavor and floral aroma. Due to its acidity, it is also used for pickling. Dried limes are typically used as flavoring in Persian cuisine. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lime has generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for use in food in the United States when it is taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods.
Lime is believed to be native to the tropical regions of Asia and the Malay Archipelago. It may have been brought to Persia, Palestine, Egypt, and Europe by Arabs from India at about the same time as sour orange and lemon. It is thought that lime was introduced to Florida in the United States during the establishment of St. Augustine in 1565. Today, south Florida is the source of more than 85% of North American limes.
In the 1700s, British sailors consumed limes and other citrus fruits on board ships to prevent rickets, which occurs from a lack of vitamin C. Hence, the sailors derived the nickname "limey."
Evidence of limeade's use in iron-deficient women is conflicting. Preliminary studies have observed a protective effect of lime against cholera, but there are no well-designed clinical trials at this time evaluating the use of lime in the treatment of other conditions.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


One study found that lime juice used in sauces might aid in the prevention of cholera. Another preliminary study suggested that using limes in the main meal may also have a protective effect; both studies were investigated by the same primary author. Additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

 C


One study found that lime juice used in sauces might aid in the prevention of cholera. Another preliminary study suggested that using limes in the main meal may also have a protective effect; both studies were investigated by the same primary author. Additional study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

 C


There is conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of lime's ability to increase iron absorption. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


There is conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of lime's ability to increase iron absorption. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
There is no proven effective dose for lime. A limeade drink containing 25 milligrams ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been studied, but showed no clear benefit.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Based on laboratory studies, lime may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system. As a result, the levels of drugs metabolized via CYP450 may be affected in the blood, and may cause potentially serious adverse reactions. Some drugs that may be affected are benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, some HIV antivirals, some HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and some macrolide antibiotics.
Based on laboratory study, fresh lime juice in concentrations above 5% may increase the transport of digoxin across cell membranes. As a result, the levels of digoxin may be affected in the blood, and may cause altered effects or potentially serious adverse reactions, including overdose.
Concentrations of lime juice may enhance the absorption of [(14)C]-mannitol; this could result in excessive diuresis and lead to electrolyte abnormalities or kidney failure. Caution is advised.
Theoretically, use of lime oil with photosensitizing agents may increase the risk of phototoxicity.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Bend JR. Bergamottin, lime juice, and red wine as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity: comparison with grapefruit juice. Clin.Pharmacol.Ther. 2003;73(6):529-537.
Kawaii S, Tomono Y, Katase E, et al. Antiproliferative effects of the readily extractable fractions prepared from various citrus juices on several cancer cell lines. J Agric.Food Chem 1999;47(7):2509-2512.
Garcia OP, Diaz M, Rosado JL, et al. Ascorbic acid from lime juice does not improve the iron status of iron-deficient women in rural Mexico. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2003;78(2):267-273.
Gharagozloo M, Ghaderi A. Immunomodulatory effect of concentrated lime juice extract on activated human mononuclear cells. J.Ethnopharmacol. 2001;77(1):85-90.
Gharagozloo M, Doroudchi M, Ghaderi A. Effects of Citrus aurantifolia concentrated extract on the spontaneous proliferation of MDA-MB-453 and RPMI-8866 tumor cell lines. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(5):475-477.
Gill JS, Bhagat CI. Acute copper poisoning from drinking lime cordial prepared and left overnight in an old urn. Med.J.Aust. 5-17-1999;170(10):510.
Imade GE, Sagay AS, Onwuliri VA, et al. Use of lemon or lime juice douches in women in Jos, Nigeria. Sex Health. 2005;2(4):237-9.
Lim SL, Lim LY. Effects of citrus fruit juices on cytotoxicity and drug transport pathways of Caco-2 cell monolayers. Int.J Pharm. 1-3-2006;307(1):42-50.
Lissera RG, Luna Maldonado ER, Battellino LJ. In vitro erosive capacity of some fruit juices and soft or low alcoholic strength beverages on human teeth. Acta Odontol.Latinoam. 1998;11(1):55-71.
Murcia MA, Jimenez AM, Martinez-Tome M. Evaluation of the antioxidant properties of Mediterranean and tropical fruits compared with common food additives. J Food Prot. 2001;64(12):2037-2046.
Paine MF, Criss AB, Watkins PB. Two major grapefruit juice components differ in time to onset of intestinal CYP3A4 inhibition. J Pharmacol Exp.Ther. 2005;312(3):1151-1160.
Rodrigues A, Sandstrom A, Ca T, et al. Protection from cholera by adding lime juice to food - results from community and laboratory studies in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Trop.Med.Int.Health 2000;5(6):418-422.
Rodrigues A, Brun H, Sandstrom A. Risk factors for cholera infection in the initial phase of an epidemic in Guinea-Bissau: protection by lime juice. Am.J.Trop.Med.Hyg. 1997;57(5):601-604.
Weber IC, Davis CP, and Greeson DM. Phytophotodermatitis: the other "lime" disease. J Emerg.Med. 1999;17(2):235-237.