One of the easiest and tastiest refreshing drinks is lemon water. One lemon provides about 31 mg of vitamin C, which is 51% of the reference daily intake (RDI). Apart from containing a tremendous amount of Vitamin C, lemon water contains minerals that can do wonders for the human body. But it can do harm as well. This might seem unacceptable and shocking to a lot of people, but yes, having lemon water can cause damaging harm to the human body in many ways as it is an acidic drink.
Even though lemon water is the most popular remedy for weight loss, aids digestion acts like a natural flush, balances acid levels, facilitates skin and hair, detoxes the body naturally, etc., it can also cause damage to teeth, make stomach upset, cause or worsen canker sores, might worsen migraine and much more.
As lemon water can cause a lot of harm to the human body. It is advised to consume lemon water within the limit. Two glasses of lemon water daily are considered healthy for the human body, but more than that can cause more harm than good.
Here are 5 side effects of drinking lemon water on an empty stomach that you need to know:
It damages teeth
Having strong teeth is very important to begin the process of digestion, as the initial step of digestion is breaking down food into small pieces, which can be only possible by teeth. Also, teeth play a major role in giving us a nice smile and face as it lets us make different facial expressions. In order to keep teeth strong, it is very important to eat food that promotes teeth health. Lemon water can cause harm to teeth as it is acidic in nature. frequent use can cause the dissolution of enamel or the outer layer of the teeth, which will eventually lead to tooth decay, sensitivity and pain if not paid attention to. In order to protect teeth from the harmful effect of lemon water, it is advised to avoid direct contact with teeth with lemon water. Use a straw while drinking lemon water or simply reduce consumption. Instead of having too much lemon water, try having less than 2 glasses of lemon water a day.
Can make stomach upset and cause ulcers
It is very important to take good care of the stomach as the stomach creates digestive juices and breaks down food. A disturbed stomach can cause a feeling of uneasiness for an individual and can act as an obstruction to the smooth functioning of life. It is very important to consume food that does not affect the stomach’s health. Though lemon water aids digestion, consuming lemon water in large amounts can cause harm. Lemon water is acidic in nature, and because of the acidity, it can cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Also, a large amount of acid can harm the inner lining of the stomach and intestine and cause stomach ulcers which are very painful. So it is advised to consume lemon water in limit.
It can cause frequent urination and dehydration
Lemon water is famous for its refreshing and hydrating nature. No other drink can beat lemon water. But as lemon water is high in Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, it can cause the kidneys to make more urine by causing a diuretic effect. But this only happens in rare cases when lemon water is consumed in large amounts. As lemon water encourages high urine production in the kidneys, this can make the body lose more fluids, which will eventually lead to frequent urination and dehydration. This also leads to several serious diseases, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and even kidney failure. In order to stay hydrated and avoid several harmful diseases, an individual should consume lemon water in limit.
It can trigger migraine
A painful headache that can be of varying intensity and can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation is known as a migraine. It is a neurological condition that often comes with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Causes of Migraine are stress, liquor consumption, physical factors, weather changes, and much more. Migraine can also be caused due to hormonal changes in women. Whatever the reason, migraine is very painful. And it is advised to avoid food that can trigger or worsen the migraine. Lemon water contains lemon juice which is high in tyramine which can trigger migraine. Or it can worsen the symptoms of migraine. So, individuals suffering from migraine should avoid consuming lemon water at all costs.
It can increase iron production
Iron is very important for the human body as iron plays an important part in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. If Iron content is low in the body, an individual can get diseases such as anemia. No matter how important iron is for the human body, excess iron can cause harm to the human body as well. Lemon water contains Vitamin C, which can increase the absorption of non-heme iron in the body, which can cause damage to organs. If you are an individual suffering from hemochromatosis condition in which the body stores excessive iron. It is advised to consume lemon water in limited amounts to prevent harm.
Mentioned above are the 5 side effects of drinking lemon water. Apart from these points consuming lemon water in excess can also cause GERD, can make bones weak, can damage organs by increasing iron content, increase the risk of cancer, and much more. But it is always advised to seek professional help before adding or removing anything from your diet.