Lemon water is touted to possess some of the most essential qualities that aid in preventing dehydration, catalyzing the digestion process, and enhancing one’s weight loss journey. Hence, many Instagram-certified health professionals have expounded on the benefits of consuming lemon water in a day. But like all good things in life, too much of it can also catapult you down to sickness. Don’t believe us?
Below mentioned are the five dangerous side effects of drinking too much lemon water in a day.
5 Side effects of drinking excessive lemon water
1. May cause migraines
Citrus fruits like lemon are cautioned by doctors since they are possible triggers for migraines and headaches. Corroborating with the statement, WebMD establishes a link between lemons and migraines owing to the presence of higher tyramine which is a natural monoamine that is directly linked to increased headaches. However, due to a lack of concrete research, people have taken this crumb of information with a pinch of salt.
2. May damage the enamel
Owing to the excessively acidic nature of lemons, the American Dental Association states that frequent exposure of the teeth to citrus fruits like lemon can cause erosion of the tooth enamel. Under such circumstances, it is important to consume less lemon water. It should be certainly avoided on an empty stomach. It is also advisable to avoid brushing your teeth right after a glass of lemon water.
3. May cause heartburn
According to Medical News Today, the consumption of lemon water induces a plethora of benefits that promote gut health. Be that as it may, if you consume too much lemon on an empty stomach, it can actually exacerbate your stomach maladies tottering on the edge of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sometimes, even acid reflux. People suffering from GERD and acid reflux often get triggered by acidic foods like lemons that can later cause them heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Unhygienic in nature
As per a 2007 study from the Journal of Environmental Health, the researchers tested 76 lemon samples from 21 different restaurants during 43 visits. They discovered that many of the lemons contained microorganisms including pathogenic ones that spread diseases.
More often than not, a lot of customers put lemon wedges or ask the waiters to put lemon wedges in the water. Just imagine the number of microorganisms you would be consuming through just one lemon. In order to steer clear of that risk, you can just squeeze a bit of the lemon in your drink, instead of putting the whole wedge in.
5. May cause frequent urination
Squeezing excessive lemon into your water can cause a diuretic effect. According to a study, lemon juice possesses high ascorbic acid or vitamin C, which is a diuretic. Resultantly, urine production in the kidneys is escalated which helps in getting rid of excess salt and fluids even faster. This can be a cause of severe dehydration sometimes. Under such circumstances, it is important to reduce the amount of lemon you add to your water.
Disclaimer: It’s important to consult a professional before adding or eliminating anything from your diet. The above information should be used for reference purposes only and should not be used as an alternative to an expert’s advice.