Lime vs. Lemon: Which Is Better?

What Is the Difference Between Limes and Lemons?

A lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is a green, small, and sour fruit often used in cooking or marinades to add a tangy flavor. It’s oval-shaped with a thin rind and juicy flesh. Limes are typically smaller than lemons, and the taste of lime juice is described as more bitter than sour.¹

On the other hand, lemons (Citrus limon) are larger, bright yellow, and have thick, textured skin. Lemons are known for their sour taste but can vary in flavor depending on the variety.¹

Both belong to the citrus family and are common recipe ingredients, but lemons are often used in baked dishes, desserts (think lemon meringue pie), or lemonade. Limes are popular in Mexican foods and cuisine from Southeast Asia (and don’t forget key lime pie). Lemon water is also popular and anecdotally touted for its health benefits.

Which One Is Better: Lime or Lemon?

Deciding whether lime or lemon is better depends on taste preferences and recipe requirements. The two citrus fruits have minor nutritional differences, but these differences don’t significantly influence your daily nutrient intake.

Lemons and limes do have nutritional benefits. Both are low-calorie and contain nutrients like vitamin C, essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. Lemons and limes also contain antioxidants, which can help protect your body from oxidative damage from free radicals. The health benefits of foods high in antioxidants may help protect your body against chronic diseases like heart disease or diabetes.^{2, 3}

Most people eat small amounts of each fruit, making it difficult to make a substantial difference in your daily nutrient intake (aside from vitamin C). Ultimately, both limes and lemons are healthy additions, and neither is better, so you can choose which one you prefer (or add a variety of both).

Nutrition

Aside from taste, there are slight nutritional differences between lemons and limes. Both fruits are low in calories and contain a small amount of carbohydrates from natural sugars.

One main difference is their vitamin C content. Limes contain almost half the vitamin C that lemons have, but both still provide one-third to one-half the recommended daily intake for adults. Limes also have a higher potassium concentration, while lemons contain more folate and thiamine.⁴

Key takeaways on the nutritional content of lemon and lime include:

• Lemon and limes are both low in macronutrients like protein and fat.
• Lemons and limes contain vitamin C, an essential nutrient for immune health and collagen production, but lemons contain slightly more vitamin C than limes.
• Limes contain slightly more vitamin A, calcium, and phosphorus.
• Lemons contain slightly more magnesium, potassium, and folate.

100 grams (around 3.5 ounces) of lemon or lime provides the following nutrients:^{5, 6}

Glycemic Index

Lemons and limes are both low-glycemic fruits. While the glycemic index of lemons and limes is not always listed in research studies, given their low sugar and carbohydrate content, they are assumed to have a similarly low glycemic index.⁷

The glycemic index measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Foods with a low glycemic index are digested and absorbed slower, resulting in a more gradual rise in blood glucose.⁸ 

Interestingly, one study found that adding lemon juice to a meal with starch significantly lowered the glucose response, possibly due to the citric acid in citrus fruits. The citric acid content in foods like lemon or apple cider vinegar has a low pH, which may positively influence blood sugar.⁹

Vitamins

As mentioned, lemons have more vitamin C and folate than limes. Limes contain slightly more vitamin A compared to lemons. Otherwise, the two fruits contain similar and mostly negligible amounts of the other B vitamins.

100 grams (around 3.5 ounces) of lemon or lime provides the following vitamins:^{4, 5}

Minerals

Limes are slightly higher in calcium, zinc, and copper. Lemons contain more potassium and magnesium. The small mineral differences between the two citrus fruits aren’t enough to make a significant difference.

100 grams (around 3.5 ounces) of lemon or lime provides the following minerals:^{4, 5}