Lemon water is delicious and healthy. It’s an easy way to boost your intake of vitamin C, which can help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also improve your skin health and support weight loss, while aiding digestion. Plus, it can keep your breath fresh and lemony.
Oh, and did we mention it tastes pretty yummy?
Unfortunately, like everything in life, it’s possible to have too much lemon water. In excess, lemon water can have some surprisingly worrying impacts on your health. While a cup or two a day might not hurt, guzzling large amounts of lemon water can do more harm than good, and in the long term, snowball into serious health problems.
Bear in mind that there’s no set amount of lemon water that’s considered unsafe; we’re all different, and all have different tolerance levels. That said, here are six health issues that can arise from drinking too much lemon water. If you’re experiencing any of these, then it might be time to take it easy on the lemon water.
1. Lemon Water Can Harm Your Tooth Enamel
We all know that sugary treats are bad for your teeth, but did you know lemons are also pretty rough on your enamel? Lemons are highly acidic, and the American Dental Association warns their juice can erode your enamel if consumed in excess.
Signs of enamel damage include a yellowing of the teeth and a sensation of roughness. Run your tongue along your teeth; if they feel sandpapery instead of pearly smooth, then you might have some enamel damage.
Another common sign of tooth problems is more obvious: pain or sensitivity. For example, if you feel a jolt of stabbing pain in your teeth whenever you drink something particularly hot or cold, then you might have a problem. In fact, if you experience any of the above, then it’s probably time to cut back on the lemon water and perhaps pay a visit to your dentist.
2. Lemon Water Can Exacerbate Cavities
Lemon water doesn’t just strip your teeth of their enamel; it can also exacerbate issues with cavities. Cavities are typically caused by bacteria that munch on sugar and excrete acid. Pure, natural lemon juice won’t do much to exacerbate cavities on its own. However, if you use a lemon concentrate or add a bit of sugar to your lemon water, then you’re creating the perfect environment in your mouth for the development of cavities.
3. Lemon Water Can Mess With Your Tummy
For some people, lemon water can be quite soothing, but not everyone. We’re all unique, and our stomachs can have moods of their own. For some people, lemon water can put their stomachs in a seriously bad mood, causing pain and irritation. Anyone with a stomach ulcer should steer well away from lemon water, as it can worsen the pain and make you feel absolutely terrible.
Also, excessive consumption of acidic foods and beverages like lemon water has been linked to the development of gastroesophageal reflux disorder. This is a gut condition that can lead to nausea, vomiting and heartburn.
4. Lemon Rinds Are Gross
This is less of a problem with lemon water, and more of a concern with the rinds themselves. In 2007, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health found evidence to suggest as much as 70 percent of lemon rinds served in restaurants are contaminated with organisms like the notorious E. coli, which can make you extremely ill.
Regular consumption of lemon water with the rind submerged in the beverage can expose you to these contaminants, so be careful. If you regularly consume lemon water, ensure you either wash the rinds thoroughly or remove them entirely.
5. Lemon Juice Can Give You Migraines
This one certainly doesn’t apply to everyone, but lemon juice might give you one hell of a headache. A number of studies have shown a clear link between citrus and migraines. It’s worth noting these results aren’t consistent, with some studies failing to find a clear link. Nonetheless, there’s enough evidence on the table to lead many doctors to advise migraine sufferers to avoid citrus, especially if they suspect fruits like lemon exacerbate their migraines. So if you likewise experience migraines from time to time, you may want to consider avoiding lemon water.
6. Lemon Juice Can Make Mouth Ulcers Worse
Mouth ulcers (canker sores) are horrible. They hurt and make eating unpleasant. Due to their highly acidic content, lemons can make these ulcers even more painful, according to the American Dental Association. So if you’re prone to mouth ulcers, then keep away from lemon juice.
What’s your experience with lemon water? Let us know about the good, bad and ugly in the comments below!
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— Ryan Mallett-Outtrim