10 health benefits of mosambi or sweet lime

Summer's not the only reason for you to have fresh mosambis. Here are top reasons you should not miss this fruit

By: Shraddha Rupavate | | Published: May 5, 2014 10:41 am

A perfect combination of sweet, juicy and sour, mosambi or sweet lime is a versatile summer fruit that can refresh you within no time. Whether you want to enjoy its pulpy flesh by slowly chewing it or you choose to gulp a glass full of its yellowish green juice, mosambi can never fail to drive away the exhaustion you feel after getting drenched in sweat. But this citrus fruit has much more to offer apart from a refreshing feeling. Here are top 10 health benefits of mosambi or sweet lime that will amaze you. Also Read - Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day: Live a longer and healthier life

1. Prevents and treats dehydration: Instead of resorting to carbonated drinks that give you nothing but burps and acidity, drink mosambi juice when you feel thirsty and dehydrated. It not only quenches your thirst but also provides you essential minerals and vitamins that reduce the risk of complications of dehydration. Also Read - Reach for these comfort foods to stay healthy this spring

2. Boosts immunity: Mosambi belongs to the citrus family. Its high vitamin C content makes it an immune boosting food that keeps you away from common cold and flu. Also Read - Have blackcurrants daily to control your diabetes: A few interesting ways of adding it to your diet

3. Protects against arthritis: Vitamin C has shown to have a protective effect against damage caused by inflammation of tissues. So, mosambi can actually help in conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis where the immune cells of the body cause inflammation of the tissues. It is also fairly rich in folic acid that plays a role in supporting bone and joint health.

4. May help in weight loss: All weight watchers who want to get into shape should include this fruit in their daily diet plan. Mosambi is an ideal snack that can drive away your hunger, reenergize you and satiate you. One medium sized mosambi gives you only about 86 calories. Plus it gives a feeling of fullness due to its high water content and pulpy nature.

5. Treats jaundice: Mosambi is one fruit that doctors always recommend patients suffering from jaundice, a disease affecting the liver function. That’s because it gives a cooling effect that treats jaundice symptoms like fever and vomiting. Mosambi is a light food, making it easy to digest and it also boosts the liver function.

6. Prevents scurvy: We all know that deficiency of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, a disease where you suffer from swollen gums, cracked lips and flu. Mosambi, being rich in vitamin C helps prevent the condition. About 100 gm of mosambi contains 50 mg of vitamin C, which amounts for 60% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C.

7. Protects against gastrointestinal problems: Indigestion and constipation are the two most common gastrointestinal problems that you can relieve by eating fresh mosambis. The unique taste of this fruit causes stimulation of the salivary glands to secrete enzymes that make digestion easy and effective. Plus, they contain compounds called flavanoids that increase the levels of bile, certain stomach acids and digestive juices which together aid digestion. It also offers a good amount of potassium that helps relieving diarrhea.

8. Heals peptic ulcers: Peptic ulcers can be extremely painful. They are sores that may develop along the lining of your stomach, upper intestine and may even affect the lining of your esophagus. Sweet lime being slightly acidic in nature makes the intestinal environment alkaline in nature, thereby reducing gastric acidity.

9. Fights cancer: Mosambi contains compounds called limonoids that are thought to fight different types of cancer.

10 Boosts hair and skin health: Mosambi is quite popular in the cosmetic industry as well. The extracts of mosambi are used in a lot of products to strengthen hair, treat split ends and dandruff. Its vitamin C content is one of the reasons why it is widely used in skin care products for imparting glowing skin, improving skin tone, reducing acne and blemishes, and moisturizing the skin.

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