Ingredient Battle: Lemon vs. Lime
Lemon
What is it?
Lemon is a yellow citrus fruit. It is a small, oval shaped and grows primarily in Argentina, Brazil, China, India, and Mexico. Lemons grow on trees that can grow to be about 25 feet in height. Though lemons likely originated in India, they have slowly found their way to America. Christopher Columbus is said to have planted the first lemon trees in America, and by the late 1700’s lemon trees had been taken to California.
Why do people love it?
Many people enjoy the scent and tart taste of lemons and lemon essential oil. Lemons offer a wide variety of benefits that make them a popular fruit.
Benefits
Skin Cleanser and Lightener
Lemons are a natural product that offer clarifying properties. As an antibacterial, it helps to cleanse the skin of environmental toxins and pollutants that take harbor on your skin. Lemons are often used as an acne treatment because of their ability to cleanse and tighten the skin and pores. You can also use lemons to lighten the skin. As a lightening agent, lemons can reduce the appearance of freckles, age spots, and dark knees and elbows. Keep in mind that both lemons and limes can cause irritation to sensitive skin due to their acidity. If applied directly to the skin, sunscreen should be applied before exposure to sunlight.
Reduces Inflammation
Lemons (and limes) contain a polyphenol called quercetin that helps to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is often the cause of various diseases and conditions such as arthritis, gout, and heart disease. Lemon essential oil and lemon water work well to reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Boosts the Immune System
Squeezing half a lemon into water can give you half your daily dose of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to cleanse the lymphatic system, helping you to recover from colds and the flu. It also helps rid the body of free radicals and unwanted toxins. A healthy immune system helps to ward off disease that could lead to premature signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, dull complexion, and age spots.
Lime
What is it?
Lime is a rounded fruit with pointed ends and a diameter of 3-6 centimeters. It is typically green in color and grows on a small citrus tree that rarely grows higher than 10 to 12 feet. They are mostly grown in Southern Asia, Mexico, Florida, and California. Though Persian limes are the most common variety sold in the United States, there are other varieties of limes such as: key lime, kaffir lime, and desert lime.
Why do people love it?
Limes have a sour taste that many people love. They are often used to flavor drinks and to add a little zest to various dishes.
Benefits
Anti-Aging
Much of the health benefits of chia seeds come from flavonoids, and antioxidants contained within the small fruit. Limes help to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. Another anti-aging benefit of limes is that they help the body to produce collagen. Collagen helps firm the skin, tighten the pores, and reduce wrinkles. Limes also lighten age spots and other dark pigmented skin spots. Along with preventing premature aging of the skin, limes also help to prevent aging of the eyes by protecting against macular degeneration.
Acne Treatment
The antibacterial properties of limes help to get rid of bacteria that would cause infections that lead to acne. Another reason limes make a great acne treatment is that they also tighten the pores, keeping environmental pollutants and dead skin from clogging them up, and reducing oily skin.
Detoxifier
Limes work as a diuretic to flush toxins out of the body. This is mostly due to the vitamin-C and flavonoids found in limes. Many people add lime juice to water to help them with detoxification of the digestive tract and liver.
How to use Lemons and Limes
Lemons and limes can be used as part of your skin care routine. Both can be applied to the skin using the fresh fruit or essential oil. Whether you are using lemons or limes, use caution when applying it to your skin. These tart fruits make the skin sensitive to the sun’s rays. Blisters and burns may form. Do not apply these fruits directly to sensitive skin and always use sunscreen after use, whether they are rubbed on the skin or taken internally.
Lemons and limes are also often used in desserts, dressings, and to flavor water. The juice of lemons and limes are often used to add flavor to a variety of dishes and to keep certain foods such as apples and avocados from oxidizing.
Which is better?
You’ve probably noticed that lemons and limes are very similar in a lot of ways. They are often used interchangeably, especially because their nutritional content is very similar. One major difference, however, is that lemons contain more vitamin C and are less acidic then limes. Because lemons contain more sugar they are sweeter than limes, making them more popular when it comes to taste. Their lower acidity also makes them more favorable to the skin. When deciding which is better, it really comes down to preference. Both offer amazing benefits to the health of the skin and body.
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