Introduction
When you get a lemon in your life, make lemon juice. This proverb suits only people fond of lemon juice and lemon-based products. Some people are fond of citrus fruits and try eating non-poisonous ones. However, not all citrus fruits will have the benefits alone. They, too, have some side effects. One such citrus fruit is lemon.
The complete growth of a lemon tree, capable of producing fruit from seed, might take between three and six years after careful maintenance. But lemons are primarily used in countries like India for various purposes, not only as a medicine but also as a part of customs in many Indian traditions. However, drinking too much lemon water has some side effects. Let's take a look at it!
Be Cautious of these 5 Lemon Water Side Effects
Lemon water is generally good for your health. However, there are several side effects of drinking too much lemon water. Here are the five side effects of Lemon Water, of which you must be very cautious.
1. Causes tooth decay or enamel erosion
If one drinks too much lemon juice or consumes lemon juice frequently, then that person might experience tooth decay and dental hypersensitivity. This is because the lemons are highly acidic, like some citrus fruits.
What to do?
- Your teeth might suffer from damage if you drink hot lemon water frequently and regularly. So, don't provide direct exposure to the lemon on your teeth.
- Similarly, don't brush your teeth after consuming lemon juice, but drink a small amount of water after consuming lemon juice, which will help decelerate tooth decay.
- As said, don't expose fresh, uncooked lemon directly to your teeth.
2. Provoke stomach issues and heartburn
People consuming too many citrus fruits are prone to various stomach issues. They often suffer from problems like acid reflux, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, and vomiting. Heartburn is one of the significant problems caused by consuming too much lemon water.
What to do?
- If you are a lemon juice consumer and feel the symptoms of the issues mentioned above, you must consult a doctor before drinking lemon water.
- It is better that people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) avoid drinking too much lemon juice.
3. Aggravate canker sores
It is generally known that too much citrus fruit causes mouth ulcers. Usually, both the Canker sores and mouth ulcers are excruciating for the patients. They are non-contagious small lesions that develop in the mouth. Drinking too much lemon juice could cause severe canker sores.
What to do?
- If you already suffer from canker sores, wait patiently until the mouth ulcers heal completely.
- After the canker sores get cured, you can drink lemon juice.
4. Results in migraines
Lemons produce a natural monoamine called tyramine. This tyramine is said to cause headaches. The citrus causes migraines and headaches in many cases. Though there is no proper proof for this concept, some studies have connected the intake of citrus fruits and migraines.
What to do?
- You must reduce the consumption of lemon juice if you are a person who often experiences extreme headaches.
5. Lemon skin serves as a host for harmful germs
In some cases, we can see lemon used on its skin. But, this lemon skin is a host for harmful germs in some conditions. However, few studies have shown that lemons contain microorganisms prone to some diseases.
In a 2007 study, the researchers tested more than 70 lemon samples from restaurants in the above 35 visits. They revealed many lemons contained microorganisms, including some pathogens that might cause diseases.
What to do?
- You might have seen restaurants putting lemon wedges in lemon-based drinks.
- To minimize the risks of lemon skin, it is better to squeeze the lemon into your healthy drink rather than add the lemon skin to it.
- If you see restaurant employees handling lemons with their bare hands, washing them with water is better if they come to your table.
Lemon
The lemon is a small, yellow-coloured fruit from the flowering plant family Rutaceae. This species of small evergreen tree is native to Asia and is primarily seen in India, Northern Myanmar, and China. Some consider that lemons came from India, as they are thought to have grown first in India, northern Myanmar, or China. According to a genomic study about the lemon, it was found that it might be a hybrid between bitter orange (sour orange) and citron, but there is no proof.
Lemon Water Benefits
There are several health benefits of lemon water, though there are some side effects.
1. Support Heart Health
Lemons contain a sufficient quantity of vitamin C. As per some of the research, eating fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C will minimize the risk of heart disease and stroke. The plant compounds and fibre in lemons also reduce some risk factors for heart disease. The high amount of vitamin C and other beneficial plant compounds in lemons might help lower cholesterol.
A study revealed that eating 24 grams of citrus fibre extract daily for a month lowered total blood cholesterol levels. The plant compounds hesperidin and diosmin in lemons have been found to lower cholesterol.
2. Prevent the Formation of Kidney Stones
Kidney Stones are common due to lack of sweating and irregular water drinking. Kidney stones form small lumps when the waste products crystallize and accumulate in your kidneys.
Drinking citric acid juice will increase urine volume and pH, leading to a less favourable environment for forming kidney stones. Thus, citrus help, like lemon water, helps prevent kidney stone formation. However, only some studies have proved this result.
Some research shows that drinking juice does not affect kidney stones.
3. Aids in Controlling the Weight
Lemons are often considered a weight-loss food. The soluble pectin fibre usually expands in your stomach, helping you feel full for longer or less hungry. The lemon juice does not contain pectin, so the drinks will not promote fullness in the same way.
However, a study showed that lemon extract and plant compounds might promote weight loss. According to another theory, it was found that drinking hot water with some amount of lemon might help you lose weight.
4. Fights against Anemia
Lemons contain vitamin C, along with citric acid. They help you to absorb the non-heme iron from plants. Thus, they might prevent anaemia. Only some iron is present in lemons, but they avoid anaemia by improving your body's absorption of iron from plant foods.
Anaemia, an iron deficiency, occurs when you don't get enough iron from the foods you eat daily. The human body quickly absorbs iron from fish, meat and chicken through the human gut, while they find it difficult to absorb it from plant sources (non-heme iron). However, this absorption could be enhanced by consuming vitamin C and citric acid. Thus, lemons ensure that you absorb as much iron as possible from your diet.
5. Enhances the Digestive Health
Generally, the soluble fibre enhances gut health and decelerates the digestion of sugars and starches. This might result in a decrease in blood sugar levels. It would help if you ate the pulp for the benefits of fibre in the lemons.
Lemons usually contain 10% carbs, which are mainly in the form of simple sugars and soluble fibre.
Lemons contain the primary fibre, pectin, a soluble fibre connected to several health benefits. People who drink lemon juice without the pulp containing the fibre will not be able to get the benefits of the fibre.
6. Minimizes the Cancer Risk
Lemons have some plant chemicals that help prevent cancer. Usually, a healthy diet containing fruits and vegetables might help prevent a few cancers.
Some studies show that people who consume the most citrus fruit have a lower risk for cancer, while other studies have discovered no such effects.
Some studies found that many compounds from lemons kill cancerous cells. But, they might not have the same effect on the human body. As per some research, the plant compounds found in lemons, limonene and naringenin, tend to have anticancer effects, while D-limonene, present in lemon oil, also has anti-cancerous properties.
A few plant compounds from lemons and other citrus fruits have anticancer properties. But, no quality evidence suggests that lemons could fight against human cancer.
7. May Prevent Malignant Tumors in Future
As per a study, the mandarin pulp contained the plant compounds beta-cryptoxanthin and hesperidin. These are also found in lemons.
The research discovered that these compounds generally prevent malignant tumours from developing in rodents' lungs, tongues, and colons. However, this research used a very high dose of the chemicals, which you don't get by eating lemons or oranges.
So, there is no proof that a lemon might prevent Malignant Tumors. However, studies may be conducted in the future.
Alternatives for Lemon Juice
There are a lot of fans of lemon juice all around the world. But, if they reduce the consumption of lemons, then they might be searching for alternatives. For them, here is the food containing vitamin C, which they eat.
1) Amla
Amla is the richest source of vitamin C. It is called the Indian gooseberry. It usually contains vitamins and minerals that help to support your digestive function and immune system.
2) Oranges
Orange is the most famous citrus fruit containing vitamin C, after lemon. Oranges contain more vitamin C content.
3) Strawberries
Strawberries are dark pink or red-coloured fruit packed with fibre and antioxidants. These juicy fruits contain vitamin C, which is good for your skin and overall health.
4) Kiwi
As per a study, Kiwi contains vitamins like A, C, and E, apart from minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, copper, potassium, and magnesium. These fruits help in enhancing your overall health.
5) Potatoes
Many might not know that potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, but potatoes indeed contain vitamin C. They also act as an antioxidant, which helps to prevent cell damage.
6) Broccoli
Broccoli is a green-coloured food containing vitamin C. It is also packed with other nutrients like fibre, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, selenium and protein. It contains vitamins A, B, E, and K.
7) Papaya
Papaya is a fleshy tropical fruit good for people of all ages, except pregnant women and diabetes patients. Papaya is a package of vitamins C, A, E, K, fibre, and potassium. This is the right choice to enhance your kid's health.
Conclusion
Lemon is a good citrus fruit and has several health benefits. But drinking too much of the lemon water will show some side effects. The side effects of consuming too much lemon water are tooth damage, erosion in tooth enamel, stomach upset, heartburn, headaches, nausea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux. It could worsen and exasperate the canker sores. Although not proven, lemon might trigger migraines and headaches.
If you drink lemon water to fulfil your daily vitamin C needs, you could switch to other foods containing vitamin C. Also, the lemon skins act as a host for many unpleasant germs. So, to avoid such cases, squeeze the lemon into your drink to stop the way for the germs. Finally, it is essential to understand the advantages of citrus fruits along with their side effects. You can drink lemon water, but drink it sparingly. Drink only the limited amount of lemon water which your body needs. Otherwise, switch to other foods containing vitamin C.
FAQs
1) What are the benefits of Lemon water?
- Rich in vitamin C
- Prevents kidney stones
- Helps with weight loss
- Relieves nausea
- Reduces constipation
