A study in PLOS One (published December 2025) followed people who once had kidney stones. Those who took a lime-based supplement, rich in citrate, had fewer stones come back over two years.

That study used a supplement made from lime, not a glass of lime juice. So is lime juice good for you? Yes, in small amounts: a little lime mixed into water or fresh juice adds vitamin C and very little sugar. This guide looks at what is in lime juice, how to enjoy it, and how to make it fresh in a juicer machine.

What the lime study did and did not show

The researchers gave patients who once had kidney stones a lime-based supplement in sachets, made from lime juice and peel. They compared the results with a control group over 24 months. The supplement group had fewer stones come back.

It is a promising result for that group of patients. It does not show that drinking lime juice prevents kidney stones, because the study did not test plain juice. If you have had kidney stones, talk to your doctor before you change what you drink.

What is in lime juice

According to USDA FoodData Central (published April 2019), 100 g of raw lime juice has about:

• 30 mg of vitamin C
• 1.7 g of sugars

That is very little sugar for a fruit juice. Unsweetened apple juice, for comparison, has more than five times as much. Lime juice gives a lot of flavour and vitamin C for almost no sugar, which makes it a useful addition to other drinks.

How to add a little lime to your day

Most people do not drink lime juice on its own. It is too sour. The easy way to enjoy it is to mix it in.

• Squeeze it into a glass of cold water.
• Add it to fresh juice made from apple, cucumber or pineapple.
• Use it in place of syrup to brighten a drink.

A little lime in a larger glass is enough. You get the flavour and some vitamin C without a strong acid hit.

Simple habits that protect your teeth

Lime is acidic, like all citrus. The American Dental Association gives easy advice for acidic foods and drinks:

1. Have acidic foods and drinks as part of a meal, not on their own.
2. If you drink something acidic, use a straw.
3. Rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
4. Wait an hour before you brush your teeth.

The ADA also suggests making citrus drinks such as lemonade an occasional treat rather than a daily habit. If you enjoy lime most days, keep it to a small squeeze in water or mixed into another juice, have it with a meal, and follow the habits above.

How to make lime juice in a juicer machine

Hand squeezing works for one or two limes. If you want lime in a whole jug of fresh juice, a juicer machine is faster.

Peel the limes first

Lime rind is bitter. Peel the limes before you juice them, so the bitter oil in the rind stays out of your drink. The small seeds can go in a slow juicer, which pushes them out with the pulp, the dry fibre left after juicing.

Mix with a firmer fruit

Peeled limes are soft. Feed them in with something firm, such as apple, cucumber or a slice of pineapple. The firm fruit helps push the lime through the screen, and the drink tastes balanced.

Try these mixes

• Two green apples, one cucumber and two peeled limes.
• A thick slice of pineapple and two peeled limes, topped up with cold water.
• One cucumber, a handful of mint and one peeled lime.

Picking and storing limes in Malaysia

Two limes are common in Malaysian markets. Limau nipis is the larger lime with a sharp, clean taste. Limau kasturi, or calamansi, is small and round with a fragrant juice. Both work in a juicer machine once peeled. Our guide on whether calamansi juice is good for you covers the smaller one.

Pick limes that feel heavy for their size, with smooth, shiny skin. Hard, dry limes hold less juice.

Keep limes in a bag in the fridge, where they stay fresh much longer than on the counter. If you buy a big bag, peel some and freeze them in small portions. Thaw a portion fully before juicing, because frozen fruit gives little juice.

Which juicer machine suits citrus

A slow juicer presses fruit at a low speed, so the juice comes out smooth with little foam. It handles peeled citrus well when you mix it with firmer fruit. A fast spinning juicer works too, but the juice can turn foamy. A citrus press only does citrus.

If you will use your machine every day, choose one that is quick to clean. Citrus pulp can clog a screen if it dries. Our guide on how to deep clean a slow juicer screen shows how to keep it clear. If you share walls with neighbours, our page on juicer noise in condo living is worth a read.

For other fruit that works well with lime, see our list of local fruits a slow juicer can handle.

When you are ready, you can compare juicer machines and pick one that fits a daily juice habit.

Frequently asked questions

How much lime juice should I have?

A small squeeze of lime in water or fresh juice adds flavour and vitamin C with very little sugar. Lime is acidic, so have it with a meal and rinse with water afterwards.

Does lime juice prevent kidney stones?

That has not been shown. A 2025 study found that a lime-based supplement lowered stone recurrence, but it did not test plain lime juice. Ask your doctor if you have had stones.

How much sugar is in lime juice?

About 1.7 g per 100 g, according to USDA data. That is far less than most fruit juices.

Should I peel limes before juicing?

Yes. The rind is bitter, so peel the limes and juice only the flesh.

How do I look after my teeth if I drink lime juice?

Lime is acidic, so a few habits help. Drink it with meals, use a straw, rinse with water and wait an hour before brushing.

Can I put limes in a juicer machine?

Yes, once peeled. Mix them with a firmer fruit such as apple or cucumber so they push through easily.