Is Lime Water Good for Bloating?

Partly: lime water may help bloating related to constipation if you are not drinking enough, because the water can help keep stools soft. Lime itself has not been shown to relieve bloating, so the benefit is likely to come from hydration rather than a special property of the fruit.

​​Lime water can be a way to make plain water more appealing, but it is not a reliable remedy for every cause of bloating.

Can lime water help with bloating?

Lime water may be worth trying if you are constipated and tend to drink too little. Drinking enough fluid can help stool pass more comfortably, which may ease the full or swollen feeling that sometimes accompanies constipation.

That does not mean more water will always help. If you are already drinking enough, adding lime water may not change your symptoms. Bloating can have several causes, including swallowed air, constipation and digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

For a broader look at options and their evidence, see the best drinks for bloating.

How might lime water affect bloating?

Bloating is a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen; sometimes the abdomen also appears visibly larger. Because the feeling can have different causes, the same drink will not help everyone.

The useful part of lime water is its water content. If inadequate fluid intake is contributing to hard stools, drinking enough may help make them softer and easier to pass. Lime flavor may also make it easier for someone who dislikes plain water to drink enough throughout the day.

Lime water does not directly remove intestinal gas, and there is no established mechanism showing that lime itself treats bloating. Drinking a large amount quickly can make your stomach feel temporarily fuller, so a small glass sipped slowly may be more comfortable than a large serving.

What does the evidence say about lime and bloating?

No studies were identified that establish lime or lime water as a treatment for bloating. There is also no established dose of lime for this purpose. A personal improvement after drinking lime water does not prove that lime caused it; hydration, a bowel movement or a change in eating habits could also be involved.

The practical distinction is between supporting normal hydration and treating a symptom. Lime water can contribute to your fluid intake, but it should not replace an evaluation when bloating is persistent, severe or unexplained.

How can you make and use lime water?

Try a small glass of still lime water and see how you feel. There is no proven schedule or amount for bloating, and you do not need to drink the whole batch at once. If it makes you uncomfortable, stop and choose plain water instead.

For a lightly flavored batch, you will need:

• 1 lime, about 100 g
• 1 liter water, about 4¼ US cups

1. Wash the lime under running water, then slice it.
2. Add the slices and water to a clean, covered pitcher.
3. Refrigerate for 2–4 hours to infuse. Strain out the lime by 4 hours to limit bitterness from the pith.
4. Keep the water refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or unusually sour-smelling.

Do not leave infused water at room temperature for more than a few hours. This recipe steeps the lime rather than squeezing or blending it; squeezed juice or eaten fruit adds calories from the lime.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Lime is acidic and may aggravate heartburn or reflux for some people. If it triggers symptoms, avoid it. Acidic drinks can also contribute to tooth enamel wear; rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward and waiting before brushing can help reduce acid exposure.

If you have kidney disease or have been told to limit fluids, follow your clinician’s fluid advice rather than adding extra drinks. If a medicine or supplement, such as an opioid or iron supplement, may be contributing to constipation, discuss it with your clinician; do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

See a clinician for persistent, recurrent or worsening bloating, particularly with unexplained weight loss or blood in the stool. Seek urgent medical care for severe abdominal pain, or for bloating with vomiting and an inability to pass stool or gas.