The myth of fasting lime juice for weight loss

An important aspect of drinking water with lime juice in the morning is ingesting that first glass of water, which is vital for the body. Most people don't usually drink enough water, and adding some flavor to it can help them increase their intake.

Vitamin C, which is abundant in lime, is important for skin, bones, and connective tissue, as it promotes collagen production and helps strengthen the immune system, as well as promoting iron absorption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily intake of 80 mg/day of vitamin C for an adult person. Lime contains approximately 19 to 47 mg/100 mL of juice. Therefore, a glass of water with lime juice does not guarantee the intake of vitamin C recommended by the WHO, so it is necessary to consume other sources of this vitamin to obtain the necessary amount for the proper functioning of the body.

The benefits of lime are not very different from those of any other fruit; however, it has become common to find advice such as drinking a glass of hot water with lime on an empty stomach to promote fat absorption and accelerate weight loss, although, for the moment, no study proves it. If you want or need to undergo a dietary regimen, it is best to consult a specialist.

Could this habit be harmful to health?

Lime juice is an acidic product. If we tend to suffer from heartburn problems, if we have the beginning of gastric ulcer or if we suffer from it, it is most likely that we can accentuate this problem.

On the other hand, lime juice has a high erosive power, which could cause damage to the enamel of the teeth. Furthermore, if we consider the possible presence of free sugars in lime juice, this could also accelerate the process of tooth decay.

As we can see, lime water on an empty stomach could have some benefits for the immune system, but we should use only a few drops of its juice to avoid some of its harmful effects.

By Leticia Xóchitl López Martínez, Conacyt Chairs researcher commissioned to CIAD.