Lemons feature a yellow, textured outer peel and have an oval shape. The inner flesh of lemons like other citrus fruits is encased in eight to ten segments. Limes on the other hand have a green flesh and skin with round or oval shape. They are usually smaller then lemons having a diameter of one to two inches. Depending on the variety they can either be sour or sweet in taste, however in United States, sweet limes are not readily available.
The acidic and tart taste of sour limes is due to the presence of citric acid, while sweet limes are sweeter in taste as they lack in citric acid. Limes and lemons are available throughout the year, however lemons are readily available in the peak of their season around May, June and August while limes are available from May through October.
Health and lemon and limes
Lemon and limes are excellent source of vitamin C most important water soluble antioxidant and contains unique flavonoid compounds that have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. They have been shown to stop cell division in many cancer cells and have other antibiotic properties. Vitamin C acts as a great scavenger and neutralizes any free radical which comes in contact with the aqueous environments in the body. Free radicals can cause lot of harm to the body causing inflammation and painful swellings. Thus vitamins C from limes and lemons have a protective effect against inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and asthma. A study proved that vitamin C from lemons and limes protection against inflammatory polyarthritis (involving two or more joints), a form of rheumatoid arthritis in subjects who consumed diet rich in vitamin C than those who consumed lowest amounts of vitamin C rich foods. Vitamin C also plays an important role in enhancing the immune system and preventing recurrent infections, colds and flu’s. Many researches prove that consuming fruits and vegetable rich in vitamin C helps to reduce the heart diseases, stroke and cancer.
Limonoids are the phytonutrients in limes and lemons have been shown in many animal studies to have a protective effect against mouth, lung, skin, breast, stomach and colon cancer. Body can readily absorb and utilize limonin a type of limonoid which is present extensively in the citrus fruits like limes and lemons.
Peels of lemons and lime are listed among the foods that contain oxalates which can cause health problems. Oxalates when becomes too concentrated can crystallize; they can also combine with calcium to form calcium oxalate stones. Thus it would be wise to avoid the peels of lemons and limes for individuals with already existing or untreated kidney or gallbladder problems.