Lime juice and concentrate: composition, properties, application, contraindications
The natural fresh juice of this fruit has a pleasant sour taste with bitter notes. The large amount of ascorbic acid makes it useful during the cold season. Low calorie content and the presence of organic acids help control body weight. Pure juice and concentrate do not irritate the walls of the stomach and do not destroy tooth enamel. How to use lime concentrate and natural juice in cooking, home cosmetology and traditional medicine, read on.
The content of the article
Lime juice and concentrate composition
Lime is a fruit of a tree from the genus Citrus, the genetic relative of lemon. Outwardly, it strongly resembles its shape and sour taste with a slight bitterness. However, the peel of lime is thin and green, and the flesh is yellow-green, juicy, very grainy. Strong citrus aroma, recognizable.
Lime juice is cloudy, light, sometimes greenish, sour-tart and very aromatic.
Nutritional value of 100 ml fresh juice:
- calorie content - 30 kcal;
- proteins - 0.7 g;
- fats - 0.2 g;
- carbohydrates - 7.8 g;
- fiber - 2.8 g
The table shows the chemical composition of 100 ml of the product.
Substance | Content | Norm |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 0.03 μg | 900 mcg |
Vitamin B1 | 0.03 mg | 1.5 mg |
Vitamin B2 | 0.02 mg | 1.8 mg |
Vitamin B4 | 5.4 mg | 500 mg |
Vitamin B5 | 0.217 mg | 5 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 0.043 mg | 2 mg |
Vitamin B9 | 8 μg | 400 mcg |
Vitamin C | 29.1 mg | 90 mg |
Vitamin E | 0.22 mg | 15 mg |
Vitamin K | 0.6 μg | 120 mcg |
Vitamin PP | 0.2 mg | 20 mg |
Potassium | 102 mg | 2500 mg |
Calcium | 33 mg | 1000 mg |
Magnesium | 6 mg | 400 mg |
Sodium | 2 mg | 1300 mg |
Phosphorus | 18 mg | 800 mg |
Iron | 0.6 mg | 18 mg |
Manganese | 8 mg | 2 mg |
Copper | 65 mcg | 1000 mcg |
Selenium | 0.4 μg | 55 mcg |
Zinc | 0.11 mg | 12 mg |
There is a lime concentrate on the market that has a similar chemical composition and nutritional value, as it is made from pure juice. The concentrate is sold in plastic jars (often in the form of lime or lemon) with a dispenser or spray bottle.
Depending on the manufacturer, the concentrate contains preservatives: citric acid, potassium pyrosulfate and metabisulfite, lime essential oil. The shelf life of the product after opening the bottle is 1 month at a temperature of + 2 ... + 5 ° C. The price for a bottle of 100 ml is 80-250 rubles. depending on the manufacturer.
Interesting! Sailors mixed lime juice with rum to prevent scurvy on long sea voyages.
Useful and medicinal properties
The product has many beneficial properties for the body. It does not irritate the walls of the stomach as much as lemon juice, and is gentle on tooth enamel.
Reference. Lime contains limonoids - substances that eliminate more free radicals than dark natural chocolate and green tea. The product is recommended for use by people suffering from liver pathologies, in which the body is unable to remove toxins that cause cancer.
Lime Juice:
- increases the body's defenses, which is especially important in the season of colds;
- has antiviral properties;
- reduces sore throat and coughing fits;
- normalizes digestion and increases appetite;
- possesses bactericidal properties - inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus;
- reduces inflammation of the stomach walls;
- helps to cure malaria;
- maintains eye health, protects the cornea from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation;
- reduces inflammation of the sciatic nerve, improves motor function in arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout;
- normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol levels;
- slows down the aging process of the body;
- prevents the development of scurvy;
- prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
- enhances intestinal peristalsis and helps to cope with frequent constipation;
- lowers blood pressure;
- replenishes reserves of vitamins and minerals;
- brightens and tones the skin of the face;
- strengthens the hair follicle.
Application of juice and concentrate
The natural product is used in cooking, dietetics, folk medicine and cosmetology. The concentrate is used to prepare a variety of dishes and drinks.
In cooking
Lime juice and concentrate are added to vegetable and fruit salads, marinade for red meat and poultry, sweet pastries, creamy, yoghurt and curd creams, ice cream, jelly, jam, jam, cottage cheese, sorbet, marmalade. The juice softens the fibers of the meat and makes it tender and soft. To make a salad dressing, just mix the juice or concentrate with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Lime juice is an invariable component of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails: Mojito, Margarita, Daiquiri, Gin Tonic, Mai Thai, Cosmopolitan, Cuba Libre, Caipirinha. It acts as an accompanying component of Mexican tequila.
Lime concentrate is no worse than fresh juice and is stored longer in the refrigerator, but fresh juice still has more benefits.
Fresh is prepared exclusively from fresh citruses without signs of spoilage, since a poor-quality product threatens an upset stomach.
In folk medicine
In medicine, natural fresh juice is used to treat:
- indigestion: ¼ lime juice is mixed with 200 ml of water, ½ tsp is added. soda and drink 30 minutes before meals;
- diseases of the bladder and kidneys: 1 tsp. add to 200 ml of water and take 1 tbsp. l. every half hour;
- herpes, warts and papillomas: apply undiluted freshly squeezed juice to problem areas 3 times a day.
In cosmetology
Lime protects the skin from viral and bacterial infections, helps to cure dandruff, and helps heal cuts, deep wounds and bruises. The product inhibits skin aging, increases its elasticity, perfectly tones and regenerates tissues.
Oily shine and enlarged pores are what the owners of combination and oily skin have to face. Citrus has a cooling effect and miraculously mattifies the skin, regulates sebum secretion, cleanses and tightens pores.
Clean, smooth and white facial skin has always been considered the standard of female beauty. Lime lotions help lighten age spots and freckles, eliminate inflammation and increase turgor.
Take note of a few product-based homemade mask recipes:
- Peeling mask for oily skin. Apply ½ citrus juice with a cotton pad on cleansed skin and leave for 20 minutes. Then they wash their face with cool water and pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Effervescent mask for normal skin tones and improves elasticity. 150 ml of mineral water, 2 tsp. lime and lemon juice, 2 tbsp. l. natural fatty yoghurt is mixed until smooth and applied to clean skin for 15 minutes. Then the mask is washed off with cool water and your favorite cream is applied.
- Freshness honey-lime mask. 1 tsp acacia honey is mixed with ¼ tsp. lime juice and apply to clean skin. After 5 minutes, the mask is washed off with cool water.
- Lime egg firming mask. Beat 1 egg white until peaks, mix with ¼ tsp. juice and beat again. The mass is applied to clean skin and washed off when a feeling of tightness appears.
Slimming
Lime improves digestion and intestinal motility, normalizes cholesterol levels.
Citrus juice is used on a pectin mono-diet consisting of apples. Nutritionists recommend drinking a glass of hot water daily, mixed with 1 tsp. honey and lime juice.
Adhering to the correct and separate principle of nutrition, it is possible to lose 2-3 kg of excess weight, drinking 2 tbsp every day. clean water along with the juice of 1 lime.A tangible result is visible within a week. In combination with moderate physical activity, the process of losing weight is accelerated.
Lime juice mixed with grapefruit juice and grated ginger is a real vitamin and fat burning bomb. You will need ginger syrup to make the drink. To do this, a 3 cm root is ground on a grater, mixed with 2 tbsp. l. sugar, pour 200 ml of boiling water and cook over low heat until sugar dissolves. The syrup is filtered and poured into the juice from 1 lime and 1 grapefruit.
A fruity cocktail with lime juice replaces one snack. In a blender, beat 1 kiwi, 1 banana, half a parsley or 1 stalk of celery and add the juice of one lime. If the mass comes out too thick, pour in a little mineral water.
Contraindications
Due to the high acid content, the use of lime juice is contraindicated in ulcerative and erosive lesions of the stomach and duodenum, pancreatitis and gastritis. The product will have to be discarded in case of citrus allergy.
It is interesting:
Why are kaffir lime leaves useful and how to use them in cooking.
Conclusion
Lime juice and its concentrate have many beneficial properties due to their rich chemical composition. The product is used for culinary purposes, folk medicine and cosmetology, to reduce and control body weight.
Regular consumption of citrus juice increases immunity, prevents the development of viral and bacterial infections, normalizes digestion and sugar levels, increases appetite, maintains eye health, slows down the aging process and skin fading, lightens freckles and age spots.