Lime to Cleanse Toxins

Eliminating toxins from your body is one of the ways to clean out toxic waste accumulated from unhealthy eating habits, environmental and chemical pollutants, and residues from medication. These toxins can build up in your body to cause diseases, fatigue, weight gain, allergies, premature aging and a weak immune system. By eliminating toxins from your body (by means of fasting or liquid diet), you will improve energy, vitality and restore optimal health. There are many ways to cleanse toxins, and using fruits and vegetables is one of them. Limes in particular make powerful detoxifying agents.

Limes (as well as lemons) come from the rutaceae family and are related to grapefruits, kumquats, pomelos, tangerines and oranges. Limes are the stars of the citrus family when it comes to cleaning toxins because they contain powerful antiseptic and antimicrobial agents that can destroy bacteria in the mouth and intestines while preventing mucous buildup. According to whole-body-detox-diet.com, limes can stimulate the liver to cleanse toxins, improve your body's absorption of minerals, promote weight loss and help indigestion.

Limes act as a powerful diuretic, flushing toxins out of the body. Its high levels of bioflavonoids (antioxidants) help the body to dissolve mucus and scour for harmful free radicals. These toxins are then eliminated from the body as waste. To heighten the fruit's detoxifying power, drink lime juice during fasting. Dilute one part lime with five parts of water and drink. You can also add lime juice to vegetable and fruit juices during a liquid fast. According to Dr. Edward Group of healthiertalk.com, drinking a glass of warm lime juice first thing in the morning can increase detoxification.

Limonoids are a group of potent phenols found in limes, similar to those found in dark chocolate and green tea. Whereas phenols found in dark chocolate and green tea are active for four to six hours, limes' limonoids stay active for more than 24 hours, which makes them even more effective as detoxifying agents. Limonoids promote formation of detoxifying enzymes in the liver. These enzymes in turn fight toxins and make them water-soluble, so they can be excreted from the body.

Limes have a high concentration of vitamin C---a water-soluble antioxidant---which protects the body from damaging free radicals. Vitamin C also helps the body produce glutathione, a powerful tripeptide antioxidant that is a key nutritional component in helping the detoxification process. According to nutricology.com., glutathione detoxifies the body of alcohol, heavy metals and toxic chemicals.

Fresh limes add zest to drinks, salads, marinades and sauces, and it can also be added to juices and smoothies. Lime juice tenderizes meat (besides adding flavor) and can be used to replace vinegar in salad dressings or salsa. It is also used to make refreshing desserts, ice cream, sorbets and exotic drinks.