Is Lime Juice Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 1 cup (240 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 2 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
In practical terms, Lime Juice is a low-risk food for kidney stone patients. Its 4 mg oxalate per serving stays under the 25 mg line, so it can appear in your regular rotation without extra calculation. As always, staying hydrated and getting dietary calcium supports stone prevention.
Among beverages, Lime Juice sits well below the category average of 40 mg. For context, 82 out of 92 beverages (89%) are rated 🟢 Safe (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The average beverages in our database has 40 mg oxalate per serving — which means Lime Juice is 90% below the category norm. Within its specific category, Lime Juice ranks among the lower-oxalate options. This context matters because two 'Safe' foods can have very different oxalate levels — one might have 5 mg while another has 24 mg. Both are Safe, but the first gives you more dietary flexibility. Browse all beverages rated Safe to compare within the same verdict level.
Why does the safe threshold matter?
The 25 mg cutoff comes from clinical guidance for stone formers. Below it, a food's oxalate contribution is small enough not to move the needle for most patients. Harvard's 2024 lab data sits behind these figures — direct measurements, not estimates. Applied to Lime Juice: 4 mg oxalate per 1 cup — Safe per Harvard (2024).
Can I eat this food every day?
For Safe foods (under 25 mg/serving), daily use is generally fine. Caution and Avoid foods work better as occasional items — rotate them with safer options so no single high-oxalate food becomes a habit. For context, Lime Juice measures 4 mg per 1 cup, rated Safe.
Where does the oxalate data come from?
Every oxalate figure is sourced from Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024), distributed via the OHF database. The values come from actual lab measurements of the foods — not from database averages or estimates. Applied to Lime Juice: 4 mg oxalate per 1 cup — Safe per Harvard (2024).
Should I also check sodium and calcium?
Yes — oxalate alone doesn't decide stone risk. Sodium pushes more calcium into urine, and calcium from food (not supplements) helps bind oxalate during digestion. The main food page covers sodium and calcium alongside oxalate. Applied to Lime Juice: 4 mg oxalate per 1 cup — Safe per Harvard (2024).