LimesFruit
30
kcal / 100g
20
kcal / 1 fruit (2" dia)
1 thing to watch for
Informational only, not medical advice. Always verify against the physical product label — data may be incomplete or out of date.
Nutrition Facts (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 30kcal | — |
| Protein | 0.7g | 1% |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.2g | 0% |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.022g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.54g | 4% |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.8g | 10% |
| Total Sugars | 1.69g | — |
| Sodium, Na | 2mg | 0% |
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue EU register →
Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E EU register →
Vitamin C increases iron absorption EU register →
Diet Compatibility
- VeganYes
Yes — Limes is vegan.
Based on Open Food Facts ingredient analysis. How we set this
- VegetarianYes
Yes — Limes is vegetarian.
Based on Open Food Facts ingredient analysis. How we set this
- Palm Oil FreeYes
Yes — Limes is palm oil free.
Based on Open Food Facts ingredient analysis. How we set this
- Gluten-FreeYes
Yes — Limes is gluten-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- Dairy-FreeYes
Yes — Limes is dairy-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- Nut-FreeYes
Yes — Limes is nut-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts (covers tree nuts and peanuts). How we set this
- Soy-FreeYes
Yes — Limes is soy-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- Egg-FreeYes
Yes — Limes is egg-free.
Based on the ingredient list and allergen data recorded in Open Food Facts. How we set this
- KetoYes
Yes — Limes is keto-friendly (7.74 g net carbs per 100g, within the ≤10 g net carbs bar). (may not account for sugar alcohols; per-100g basis is a rougher heuristic than per-serving.)
≤5g net carbs per serving — our bar, not a regulatory standard. How we set this
- Low-CarbYes
Yes — Limes is low-carb (7.74 g net carbs per 100g, within the ≤15 g net carbs bar). (may not account for sugar alcohols.)
≤15g net carbs per serving — our bar, not a regulatory standard. How we set this
- Low-SugarYes
Yes — Limes is low in sugar (1.69 g sugar per 100g, within the ≤5 g sugar bar).
≤5g sugar per serving — our own criterion; the FDA defines none. How we set this
- High-ProteinNo
No — Limes is not high in protein (0.7 g protein per 100g, below the ≥10 g protein bar).
≥10g protein per serving — FDA 21 CFR 101.54 (≥20% DV). How we set this
- Low-FatYes
Yes — Limes is low-fat (0.2 g fat per 100g, within the ≤3 g fat bar).
≤3g fat per serving — FDA 21 CFR 101.62. How we set this
- Low-CalorieYes
Yes — Limes is low-calorie (30 kcal per 100g, within the ≤40 kcal bar).
≤40 kcal per serving — FDA 21 CFR 101.60. How we set this
Read the sourced research
One medium lime (67g) has about 5.1g net carbs — 7g total carbs minus 1.9g fiber — which can fit within a ketogenic diet's daily carb budget depending on your personal limit.
Limes are also considered a low-FODMAP fruit and are naturally gluten-free, like all fresh fruit and vegetables. [6]Raw limes contain no animal-derived ingredients, so they're inherently vegan.
Some commercially sold limes are coated after harvest with shellac (from the lac bug) or beeswax for shine and shelf life. Both coatings are non-vegan, so unwaxed or certified-organic limes are the safer pick for strict vegans. [7]Lime belongs to the Rutaceae family along with lemon, orange, tangelo, and grapefruit, so cross-reactivity among them is plausible on shared-allergen grounds.
That said, this hasn't been specifically documented for lime itself yet — it's an expected pattern, not a confirmed one. [4]Citrus allergy reactions are often a form of oral allergy syndrome, triggered by cross-reactivity with grass and other pollens through a shared protein called profilin.
Separately, contact dermatitis from handling citrus peel is usually caused by limonene in the peel oil itself, not by the juice or pulp. [8]
Health Benefits
Vitamin C in limes may help lower inflammation by neutralizing free radicals, and the fruit's other plant compounds may support the body's antioxidant intake, according to a Cleveland Clinic registered dietitian.
Limes are also low on the glycemic index and appear on the American Diabetes Association's list of diabetes-friendly foods, though they won't offset high-glycemic foods eaten in the same meal. [1]One older study linked vitamin C intake to lower blood pressure, a heart disease risk factor — but Healthline notes this rests on a single dated study, not broader evidence.
Limes' acidity can also trigger acid reflux, heartburn, or nausea in some people, and frequent heavy consumption may wear down tooth enamel over time. [2]Lime juice on skin can react with sunlight to cause phytophotodermatitis — sometimes called "margarita burn" — a documented, non-allergic skin reaction, not a lime allergy.
It can cause redness, blistering, and streaky dark patches that are sometimes mistaken for another skin condition, so it's worth knowing the cause if it happens after handling limes outdoors. [3]Citrus allergy — including to lime — is uncommon but real, ranging from mild oral itching and swelling to, rarely, a full anaphylactic reaction.
Cross-reactivity with grass and other pollens through a shared protein called profilin is a recognized mechanism behind these reactions. [4]
Storage & Buying Tips
Pick limes that are glossy, deep green, and heavy for their size, with thin, smooth skin — skip ones with yellowish or hard, shriveled skin.
At room temperature and out of direct sunlight, limes stay good for about a week and give more juice than chilled ones; direct sun makes them shrivel and discolor.
In a plastic bag in the fridge, limes last up to 4 weeks.
Whole limes can also be frozen for up to 4 months — they turn mushy once thawed, but the juice stays fully usable.
Persian limes — the seedless, thick-skinned kind sold in most stores — are the larger, more tart cousin of the smaller, seedier Key lime. [5]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat limes every day safely?
Yes, for most people — regular lime consumption doesn't cause problems for the average person.
Two groups should be more careful: people with a citrus allergy should watch for hives, swelling, or trouble breathing. Anyone eating limes in large amounts should also take care, since the acid can bring on reflux, heartburn, nausea, or gradual enamel wear.
Rinsing your mouth with water after eating limes or drinking lime juice is a simple way to cut down on that enamel exposure. [2]
Are limes safe to eat during pregnancy?
Generally, yes — limes aren't considered a food to avoid during pregnancy.
They contribute vitamin C, which supports white blood cell activity, and folate, which plays a role in a developing baby's neural tube.
The main downside is that their acidity can worsen heartburn, a common pregnancy complaint, so it's worth raising any specific dietary questions with your doctor. [9]
Why do limes turn yellow when ripe?
Yellowing is simply a sign of the fruit maturing further on the tree or in storage.
Persian (Tahitian) limes, the type in most grocery stores, are usually picked and sold while still green — well before this color change would happen — while Key limes are naturally more yellow-tinted and thinner-skinned.
So if a stored lime turns yellow, shrivels, or hardens, that's more a sign of aging and moisture loss than of desirable ripeness. [5]
Are limes acidic or alkaline in the body -- does eating them change your body's pH?
Short answer: it's a myth. Lime juice is acidic on its own, but your blood's pH barely budges from a tight 7.35–7.45 window no matter what you eat.
Your lungs and kidneys keep it there — lungs by adjusting how much CO2 you breathe out, kidneys by managing bicarbonate and acid excretion. A healthy body's food choices don't meaningfully move that number.
The bigger 'alkaline diet' claim — that eating acidic foods acidifies your body and causes disease — doesn't hold up against the physiology.
Alkalinizing your diet or urine does have narrow, legitimate medical uses, like certain kidney stone types or chronic kidney disease, but that's not the same as an everyday health strategy. [10]
Found in these products
None of the products in our database currently contain Limes.
Sources & Last Updated
Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central, “Limes, raw” (SR Legacy, fdcId 168155), updated 2026-08-27.
Research reviewed 2026-08-27.
- Cleveland Clinic (2025-10-06)
- Healthline Media — Limes: A Citrus Fruit with Powerful Benefits (2019-03-21)
- Hankinson et al., Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives (2014-09-28)
- f208 Lemon | Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Fruit and Vegetable Guide Series: Limes (2023-07-21)
- Limes: FAQ, Nutrition Facts, & Macros - Strongr Fastr
- Are Lemons And Limes Really Not Vegan? What You Need To Know (2024-07-31)
- Healthline Media — Do You Have a Citrus Allergy? Learn the Symptoms (2017-04-04)
- Are Limes good for Pregnancy?
- Medscape — The Alkaline Diet Myth Meets Physiology (2026-02-18)