Is lemon water your go-to morning drink to kickstart your weight loss journey? Well, this popular morning beverage is said to support digestion, boost weight loss journey, benefit skin, and enhance immunity. But drinking too much lemon water may not deliver such benefits. In fact, there are many side effects of lemon water if you consume it excessively.
Yes, lemon, besides giving flavour to water, is full of essential nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals such as potassium, and folate. Oh, and how can we forget vitamin C? Vitamin C is one of the prime reasons why people drink lemon water as it is necessary for growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. But moderation is the key! Drinking too much lemon water can result in several issues.
How can drinking too much lemon water be harmful?
If it’s mentioned that a particular food is good, that doesn’t mean it has to be taken in excess. It can harm your body. “We’ve all heard about the benefits of drinking lemon water, such as promoting weight loss, preventing dehydration, and helping with indigestion. But excess lemon water can be dangerous for you,” shares Dr Swathi Reddy (PT), Consultant Physiotherapist and certified diet counsellor and MIAP, Motherhood Hospitals, Bengaluru, with HealthShots.
Here are 5 side effects of drinking too much lemon water:
1. It can cause enamel erosion or tooth decay
Lemons are highly acidic citrus fruits. If a person consumes lemon juice frequently and in excess, they may experience dentinal hypersensitivity and tooth decay because of the acidic nature of lemon. Some ways to slow the process of tooth decay are using a straw to avoid direct exposure to lemon on teeth, avoiding brushing teeth after consuming lemon juice, and drinking lots of water alongside lemon juice.
2. Lemon juice may cause migraines
Citrus fruits often trigger migraines and headaches. This may be because lemons produce tyramine, a natural monoamine that often causes headaches. If you are someone who experiences extreme headaches, it is recommended to reduce your intake of lemon juice. There is no proven link but studies have shown a link between intake of citrus fruits and migraines.
3. It can aggravate stomach problems and heartburn
People who consume too many citrus fruits often suffer from gastrointestinal problems, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. Therefore, you should consult a doctor before drinking lemon water if you experience any symptoms. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should avoid excess intake of lemon juice.
4. It may worsen canker sores
Canker sores or mouth ulcers are non-contagious, painful, small lesions that develop in the mouth. Citrus fruits are known to cause mouth ulcers. It is better to wait for mouth ulcers to heal completely before drinking lemon juice.
5. Lemon skin acts as a host for harmful germs
Restaurants often put lemon wedges in lemon-based drinks. However, various studies prove that lemons contain microorganisms that may cause dangerous diseases. To reduce the risks, it is advisable to squeeze the lemon into your drink instead of adding lemon skins to it.
If you’re drinking lemon water to fulfill your daily requirement for vitamin C, you can switch to many other foods which are loaded with vitamin C.
Here’s the list of foods rich in vitamin C except for lemon:
1. Oranges: After lemon if any food that is popular for vitamin C is orange. But guess what, vitamin C content in oranges is slightly higher than a lemon in oranges.
2. Potatoes: This may come as a surprise to you but it is true. Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and act as an antioxidant that helps to prevent cell damage.
3. Broccoli: Broccoli is a powerful food. Not just vitamin C, it’s packed with many other nutrients such as fibre iron, calcium, protein, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin A, B, E, and K.
4. Kiwi: According to a study published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, kiwi is packed with vitamins like A, C, and E, and minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
5. Papaya: This fleshy tropical fruit is a storehouse of vitamin C, A, E, K fibre, and potassium. Thus, a perfect addition to your diet.
6. Amla: Amla or Indian gooseberry is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Being one of the richest sources of vitamin C, it can support your immune system and digestive function.
7. Strawberries: Strawberries are very good for your skin and your overall health. Packed with fibre and antioxidants, this red, juicy fruit is a rich source of vitamin C.
