Want to learn about the disadvantages of drinking lemon water daily? You’ve come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about the side effects of lemon water and what will happen to you if you drink it regularly or consume it in high amounts.
Lemon water is great for keeping the digestive tract healthy and is a very effective remedy that has been used for centuries to help reduce constipation symptoms. Lemon water also helps with skin health as well, however, it must be consumed in moderation or correctly to prevent unwanted side effects.
Disadvantages Of Drinking Lemon Water Daily
I used to weigh over 250 pounds a few years back until I went to see a dietician who helped me lose over 100 pounds by putting me on a low-calorie diet plan. My diet plan also included a glass of lemon water daily which did wonders for my health and overall weight, however, you need to drink it with caution.
Lemon water is made by mixing 2 glasses of warm water with 1/2 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Some recipes for lemon water recommend organic honey, ginger, and mint but those are all optional. It is usually consumed early in the morning while still on an empty stomach.
Research shows that drinking lemon or lime water daily can help improve digestion, prevent oxidative stress, and provide you with a healthy boost of vitamin C. That said, depending on your overall health, medications, and consumption method, it may lead to unwanted side effects so read on.
1. Tooth Decay
Fresh lemon juice contains citric acids which have been found to remove important minerals from the outer layer of the teeth and lead to teeth erosion.
To reduce your chances of this lemon water side effect, try adding enough clear water to your lemon juice, drink your juice with a straw and try not to brush your teeth right after drinking lemons.
2. Stomach Sensitivity & Ulcers
Due to its high acidic content, lemon water should not be consumed daily if you suffer from ulcers. This is because acids found in lemons are known to trigger ulcers, and cause heartburn.
Lemon water also harms the inner lining of the intestine when consumed in large quantities. It is recommended not to drink lemon water if you have ulcers but if you must, start by mixing a teaspoon of lemon juice with 2 glasses of water to reduce side effects.
3. Acid Reflux
People suffering from acid reflux should refrain from drinking lemon juice daily. Study shows that foods high in acids can cause GERD and increase symptoms.
Drinking lemon water occasionally while on a full stomach can help reduce symptoms. That said, try not to consume lemons if you suffer from GERD.
4. Dehydration
Lemons are rich in vitamin c (ascorbic acids) which makes them a natural diuretic. When consumed in large amounts regularly, it can lead to more urine production.
Peeing too much can cause electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, fatigue, and dry lips. Also, acids found in lemons can cause bladder irritation. Try adding more water to a teaspoon of lemon juice to reduce or prevent symptoms.
5. Canker Sores
Everyone suffers from canker sores every once in a while but drinking lemon water daily can actually worsen or cause canker sores. These sores are usually found inside the mouth, under the tongue, or inside the cheeks. Canker sores can be very painful therefore, try reducing your lemon water intake if you start experiencing symptoms.
6. Migraine
Lemons and other citrus fruits contain tyramine which has been linked to triggering the onset of migraines and headaches. If you already suffer from migraines regularly, try reducing or don’t consume lemon juice.
7. Excess Iron
Lemons are rich in vitamin c which increases iron absorption in the body. People with high iron levels should refrain from drinking lemon water daily to reduce excess iron.
That said, drinking lemon water daily can be very beneficial for those with low iron levels or anemia but make sure to get your iron levels checked regularly.
8. Cause Sunburns
Lemons and other citrus fruits contain a chemical compound called psoralens which makes the skin sensitive to UV rays. Drinking too many lemons makes your skin very sensitive to sunlight.
This causes and worsens sunburn and Phytophotodermatitis. Symptoms of Phytophotodermatitis are redness, itching, pain, blisters, burning, and pigmentation.
Drinking Lemon Water Daily Can Interact With Supplements
Drinking lemon water daily is definitely not recommended if you are on calcium or potassium supplements because the citric acids in lemons can increase the resorption of both minerals. Resorption is a process in which a substance is lost by being destroyed and then absorbed by the body.
Also, if you are taking medications for any type of fungal infection, you will need to stop drinking lemon water because citrus fruits contain bioflavonoids that can make such medications toxic.
Disadvantages Of Drinking Lemon Water At Night
Studies show that drinking lemon water at night can interfere with sleeping patterns due to high levels of vitamin C. Drinking lemon juice before going to sleep will also interfere with your stomach acids and make it hard for you to actually fall asleep.
Disadvantages Of Drinking Lemon Water On an Empty Stomach
So lemon water is usually consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach but this can cause harmful side effects for some people especially those with active bouts of acid reflux or GERD. Acidic drinks like lemons, oranges, or grapefruit juice can irritate the esophagus, therefore, you should refrain from drinking them.
Conclusion
Now you know the disadvantages of drinking lemon water daily. That said, drinking enough water to a teaspoon of lemon juice can have a lot of great benefits. Make sure to leave your comments below and don’t forget to share this post with your friends. Until next time, stay awesome.
