Lime vs Lemon - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

Overall, lemons and limes have very similar nutritional profiles. The two have approximately equal caloric values and are both low-calorie foods. However, lemons contain more protein and fats in small amounts, whereas limes are higher in carbohydrates due to total sugars.

Lemons contain two times more vitamin C, but limes are much richer in vitamin A. In general, limes are richer in minerals, containing higher levels of calcium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus. Lemons, on the other hand, are richer in potassium and magnesium.

Both lemons and limes can aid with weight loss and possess cardioprotective, blood glucose reducing, and anticancer effects. Both can also act as irritants and cause heartburn and enamel erosion due to their acidity.

Introduction

Lemons and limes are often interchangeably used in the kitchen, but how similar are they really? In this article, we will discuss what these two fruits have in common and what sets them apart, focusing on their nutrition and impact on health.

On the outside, lemons and limes are easy to differentiate; lemons look yellow and oval, and limes appear in shades of green and round forms. Limes are also usually smaller than lemons, with an average size of 3 to 6 centimeters (1.2- 2.4 inches), as opposed to lemons’ 5 to 8cm (2- 3 inches).

Both fruits grow year-round; however, lemon trees prefer moderate climates, while lime trees are recommended to grow in tropical and subtropical regions.

These fruits are quite similar in taste. Nevertheless, lemons are generally said to taste a little sweeter, whereas limes are more bitter or sour.

Varieties

Both lemons and limes belong to the Citrus genus. Consequently, they are known as citrus fruits; however, they are separate species. Lemons belong to the species Limon, whereas multiple species produce fruits that we know as lime. The most well-known lime species are Key lime, Kaffir or makrut lime, and Persian lime. 

Although Persian limes are used and referred to as limes, they are actually a hybrid between key limes and lemons.

Sweet lemons (Citrus limetta), also known as mosambi or sweet lime, are a cross between citrons and bitter oranges. These fruits can resemble limes, with their round shape and green color, but are actually considered a cultivar of lemons.

Nutrition

Nutritionally the two fruits are rather alike. Both lemons and limes consist of about 89 percent water.

One serving of a lemon weighs 58 grams, whereas lime’s serving portion is a little larger with 67g.

Macronutrients and Calories

Lemons and limes have very similar caloric values. Lemons contain only one calorie less compared to limes. The caloric value of lime is 30, consequently meaning that a serving of lemon contains 29 calories.

Lemons are richer in proteins and fats, but limes contain more carbohydrates. The two fruits have the same amount of dietary fiber, but limes are higher in total sugars.

Vitamins

Lemons and limes mostly contain the same vitamins and in similar amounts, with only a few differences. The most significant difference between the two is their vitamin C content. 

Vitamin C

Citrus fruits are known for their high content of vitamin C. Both lemons and limes are rich in vitamin C; however, lemons contain twice the amount compared to limes.

Other vitamins

Lemons contain a little more vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and vitamin B9 in the form of folate.

On the other hand, limes contain two times more vitamin A. They are also slightly higher in vitamin E, vitamin B3, and vitamin B5. Limes contain low levels of vitamin K, whereas this vitamin is entirely absent in lemons.

Both lemons and limes contain the same amount of vitamin B2 and completely lack vitamins D and B12. 

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Lime

5

:

4

Lemon

Contains more Vitamin A +127.3%

Contains more Vitamin E +46.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +100%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +14.2%

Contains more Vitamin K +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +82.1%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +33.3%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +86%

Contains more Folate +37.5%

Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.02

Lime

Lemon

Contains more Vitamin A +127.3%

Contains more Vitamin E +46.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +100%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +14.2%

Contains more Vitamin K +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +82.1%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +33.3%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +86%

Contains more Folate +37.5%

Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.02

Minerals

Overall, limes are richer in minerals, containing more calcium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus. However, lemons have higher levels of potassium and magnesium.

Lemons and limes both contain similar levels of iron and sodium. 

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food

Lime

4

:

2

Lemon

Contains more Calcium +26.9%

Contains more Phosphorus +12.5%

Contains more Zinc +83.3%

Contains more Copper +75.7%

Contains more Magnesium +33.3%

Contains more Potassium +35.3%

Equal in Iron - 0.6

Equal in Sodium - 2

Lime

Lemon

Contains more Calcium +26.9%

Contains more Phosphorus +12.5%

Contains more Zinc +83.3%

Contains more Copper +75.7%

Contains more Magnesium +33.3%

Contains more Potassium +35.3%

Equal in Iron - 0.6

Equal in Sodium - 2

Glycemic Index

The glycemic values of lemons and limes have not yet been measured. However, adding citrus fruits to starchy meals has been recommended to lower the meal’s glycemic index.

To learn more information about this and the glycemic effect of lemons, you can go to this page.

The glycemic index of citrus honey has been calculated to be low, equal to 45, making it a good option as a honey substitute for people with diabetes (1).

Acidity

The acidity of fruits can change, depending on growing conditions, as well as ripeness levels. However, most studies show limes to be more acidic than lemons. One research has concluded that lemons’ pH is 3.1, whereas limes (Key lime) had a pH value of 2.4 (2).

The acidity of limes depends on the variety and can range from 2 to 2.4 (3).

Studies have also shown that lemon juice contains higher levels of citric acid when compared to lime juice (4). Consequently, lemon juice is slightly more acidic than lime juice.

The acidity of foods can also be portrayed by the potential renal acid load (PRAL), which shows the capacity of base or acid production of the food inside the organism. 

The PRAL for lemons has been calculated to be -2.3 for lemons and -1.7 for limes. This shows that both fruits are alkaline inside the body, lemons more so than limes.

Weight Loss

Lemons and limes are both low-calorie foods. People often use lemon or lime water as a means to lose weight. Studies have shown both fruits to have the potential to reduce the levels of blood cholesterol and help with weight loss (5). However, these studies have been only carried out on mice and have not yet been proven for humans. 

The lipid-lowering and anti-obesity effects may be due to the phytochemicals found within these fruits, such as polyphenols (6).

Lemon detox diet

The lemon detox diet is a fasting program that is often kept for 5 to 10 days, during which people consume only lemon-based mixtures with no solid foods. 

One study has concluded that a lemon detox program, consisting of organic maple and palm syrups with lemon juice, and kept for seven days, reduces body fat and insulin resistance without hematological changes (7).

However, the lemon detox fasting diet can have side effects, such as fatigue, headaches, malnutrition, and gastrointestinal issues. This diet does not help in removing toxins from the body, as is often believed. There is also no evidence that the lost weight will not be rapidly regained after the initial weight loss when resuming to a regular diet. 

Health Impact

Health Benefits

Lemons and limes are rich in phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, limonoids, and polyphenols. These compounds have many beneficial effects on health.

Cardiovascular Health

Citrus fruits are overall rich in flavonoids, which have been correlated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and morbidity (8). A prominent member of the flavonoid family is a compound called flavanone. While both fruits are rich in this substance, lemons are higher in flavanones than limes (9).

These and other phytochemicals found in citrus fruits express strong antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities (10). 

Kaffir lime has also been studied as a potential cardioprotector agent that can be used in chemotherapy (11).

Diabetes

Adding lemon juice to a meal significantly lowered the mean blood glucose concentration. This effect is assumed to be due to the acidity of lemon juice slowing down starch digestion (12). Hypothetically, as lime juice also has an acidic pH, we will see the same effect by using lime juice with high glycemic index foods.

Citrus limetta or sweet lime has also been studied as a source of a functional compound for controlling diabetes mellitus due to its hypoglycemic effects (13).

Cancer

Phytochemicals of citrus fruits have been associated with a decreased risk of cancers, specifically in the digestive and upper respiratory tract. This effect was evident even with moderate citrus fruit consumption (14).

Key lime, in particular, has been studied to have anticancer effects against colon, pancreatic, breast cancers, as well as lymphomas (15).

Lemons and limes have also been studied to have antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and anti-obesity effects.

Downsides and Risks

Heartburn

Due to their acidic nature, lemons and limes can cause heartburn and aggravation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.

However, paradoxically, watered-down lemon juice has been said to help some people reduce heartburn due to its alkalizing nature.

Oral Health

Limes and lemons can also cause tooth erosion by wearing away the dental enamel, making teeth more sensitive, yellow and eventually causing cavities. 

In order to avoid this, it is better not to consume concentrated lemon or lime juice but to water it down instead. You can also drink lemon or lime juice with a straw to avoid contact with teeth.

Irritation

A compound found in lemons and limes, called limonene, is a mild skin and eye irritant.

People who are allergic to limonene may experience contact dermatitis after touching these fruits (16).

Sources.

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295397467
2. https://www.idosi.org/abr/7(2)13/7.pdf
3. https://www.clemson.edu/extension/food/food2market/documents/ph_of_common_foods.pdf
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2637791/
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258514543
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2581754/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25912765/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17344514/
9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889157505001456?via%3Dihub
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21425871/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23646300/
12. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-020-02228-x
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5701400/
14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286122827
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5214556/
16. https://www.nyallergy.com/citrus-allergy