Before I start sharing the side effects of lemon water, I would like to say that I am a huge fan of lukewarm water with lemon.
Everything looks great in moderation; we all know the potential benefits of warm water with lemon. You can read here and here.
Excess of everything is bad for physical and mental health. I did not see any of these side effects, but there is the possibility that you can get it.
Too much acidic drink is detrimental to health in the long term, especially if you are struggling with acidic reflux.
Here are the top 5 side effects of lemon water.
5- Tooth enamel
Lemons/limes or any citric fruit contains acid, which might erode your teeth’ enamel. Dentists also suggest that you should avoid brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water.
Some dentists suggest drinking with a straw and making sure to rinse your mouth with plain water multiple times.
4- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD is a common disease. Almost every of my friend has it, especially chain smokers.
Don’t get me wrong here; lemon water has significant health benefits on the digestive system, but as I said, too much lemon juice can aggravate GERD symptoms.
Acidic foods simply trigger GERD. Avoid lemon water if you have GERD disease and consult your physician.
Strange Fact: Study says lemon juice can worsen GERD. I saw some of my friends getting relief after taking lemon water, and some heightened.
Anecdotally, if you want to get rid of GERD naturally, I highly recommend incorporating walking into your daily routine. The following article will help you to understand the benefits of walking!
I Walked Daily for 21 Minutes for 35 Days
3- Migraine headaches
A cross-sectional study shows a strong correlation between critic fruits and migraine.
Tyramine is a well-known migraine trigger. Almost every citric fruit has high tyramine, which can cause migraine.
If you have headaches while drinking lemon water, you should visit a doctor to find out what’s happening.
It is kind of hype that lemon water has many health benefits; I enjoy lime water because It adds a flavor to my water that helps me drink more water.
I don’t consume more than half lemon in 24 hours.
2- Lemon peel
You might read a lot of the health benefits of lemon skin. Undoubtedly, lemon skin is rich in fiber and vitamin C. It can boast a tiny amount of magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
Many people use lemon to peel skin to brighten the skin. If you are feeling irritation means your skin is pretty sensitive to lemons. Consult your dermatologist and avoid lemons.
2.1- Phytophotodermatitis
Some plants, celery, parsley, especially high citrus fruits, can cause a skin reaction called phytophotodermatitis. It’s pretty simple if you have citrus stuff on your skin and expose your skin to UV rays, there is a high probability of an inflammatory reaction. The common symptoms are redness and swelling.
Make sure when you visit a restaurant to keep an eye on the chefs or bartenders if they are squeezing lemons with bare hands, may its the best time to avoid lemon water.
1- Frequent urination
I could not find any research paper, which led me to believe that lemon water can cause too much urination. Based on an anecdotal approach, some people have tiny blader, and drinking more water can cause this issue.
I never had any such issue. I have been drinking lukewarm lemon water first thing the morning for many years. It’s kind of part of my daily ritual. Every time I go to Costco, I buy a big bag of fresh limes.
Most of the side effects or benefits needed more research in the coming years. However, if it helps you to drink more water, I highly recommend it to add lemons in your water.
The bottom line
Dental decay may be the main side effect for people consuming too much lemon water each day. It can cause sunburn (sensitive skin), migraine, and GERD triggers.
Everything in moderation is the key to excellent health!
Please consult your doctor if you experience any unwanted symptoms. Stick to maybe 1–2 glasses a day.
