8 Side Effects Of Lemons And Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is widely used for health purposes. Among other fruits, lemon ranks first in terms of the content of such a useful microelement for human health as vitamin C.

Lemon juice is widely used for health purposes. Among other fruits, lemon ranks first in terms of the content of such a microelement useful for human health as vitamin C. It copes well with reduced immunity, helps restore the body's defenses, kills pathogenic microflora, and water with lemon in the morning is an excellent method of detoxification. But even when using this miracle fruit, you need to remember the main rule - know the measure! Otherwise, there is a risk of learning from your own experience about such an unfavorable property of lemon juice as damage to vitamin C.

8 side effects of using lemons and lemon juice 1. Lemon juice and damage of vitamin C for tooth enamel

In fact, lemon is harmful to tooth enamel. You can feel it just by chewing a slice of lemon. An unpleasant feeling of acid on the teeth indicates that tooth enamel reacts to ascorbic and citric acid. She actually destroys it. In order to protect the teeth from the negative effects of lemon juice, it is better to drink through a straw.

According to scientific data, the pH level of tooth enamel is 5.5, so foods with a high level of acidity destroy teeth. If the pH level of a certain substance is below 4, it can cause erosion of tooth enamel and even physically destroy it. Citric acid, malic acid (in apples and pears) and tartaric acid (in tamarinds) are undisputed enemies of tooth enamel due to their low pH. By the way, lemon juice has a pH level of 2.

In her book "Fruits of warm countries", the well-known expert Julia Morton makes a shocking assumption that lemons and lemon juice, with long-term use, can completely destroy not only the enamel, but also the tooth itself. It sounds implausible, but such an assumption is not groundless. Studies show that lemon juice has the most erosive properties compared to other fruit juices.

In addition, it should not be forgotten that lemon is a fruit, and like other fruits rich in sugars, it contributes to the creation of a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria in the oral cavity.

2. Lemon as an allergen

In this case, the harm of vitamin C lies in its ability to provoke allergic rashes. Very often, small ulcers in the mouth are a reaction to products containing acids, including ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. Lemons and lemon juice rank first among allergens of this kind.

Therefore, people suffering from allergies should avoid sour fruits, and lemon juice should not be consumed in its pure form. It is better to dilute it with a sufficient amount of water, or replace it with such a popular drink as water with lemon. Lemon water is an excellent remedy for maintaining health and is a completely safe option for allergy sufferers.

3. Lemon juice and water with lemon for heartburn and ulcers

It turns out that lemon and lemon juice can cause side effects, even if these products are consumed with food and not for specific medical purposes. We are talking about heartburn, when acid irritates the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus. Such an undesirable effect is possible with long-term use of the irritating product in excessive quantities.

Vitamin C, contained in lemon juice, activates the production of the gastric enzyme pepsin, which is responsible for splitting protein, which causes the release of gastric juice into the esophagus. Stomach acid irritates the tissues of the esophagus, and sometimes even an unpleasant burning sensation is felt in the throat. This phenomenon is called heartburn.

It cannot be said with certainty that the cause of heartburn is vitamin C. But those who suffer from diseases of the digestive system, in particular, gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn, should use lemons with caution and not get carried away with them. It is better for people suffering from ulcers to completely avoid acidic foods, as their use slows down the healing process.

The way out of this situation can again be water with lemon. It is also recommended to add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of water with lemon. Then the positive effect will be even greater. Water with lemon does not irritate the walls of the stomach and does not cause such side effects as lemon juice.

Thus, it is not necessary to exclude sour lemons from your diet and deprive yourself of the opportunity to get vitamin C from products. Although the damage of vitamin C to the stomach is very doubtful, lemon water can help to avoid adverse effects after drinking lemon juice.

4. Harm of vitamin C and water with lemon for indigestion

The main trace element of lemon juice is vitamin C. It is found in lemons in huge quantities. And although vitamin C is important for maintaining health, its excess endangers human health. The damage of vitamin C can be manifested by nausea, vomiting, indigestion, which can be observed after drinking lemon juice. Such symptoms indicate that the body is oversaturated with vitamin C and is no longer able to absorb it.

It was mentioned earlier that an overdose of lemon juice is an extremely rare phenomenon, but due to the individual characteristics of the body, each person has his own threshold of sensitivity to certain products. Moreover, an overdose of vitamin C is quite likely if, in addition to lemons, you consume vitamin C from other sources, for example, medical preparations.

Excessive use of vitamin C can provoke an oversaturation of the body with ascorbic acid, and will make you feel all the harm of vitamin C. In order to get rid of the excess trace element, the body begins to actively excrete it along with fluids. Therefore, problems with the gastrointestinal tract after taking lemon juice are a signal to review your diet and, perhaps, temporarily exclude lemons and lemon juice from it.

An excellent option in this case will be water with lemon. Such a drink is best for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

5. Lemon juice causes dehydration

The damage of vitamin C can also be manifested by dehydration of the body. Lemon juice is a diuretic. It is vitamin C that gives it such an effect. In general, this is a positive property of lemon juice, which has a beneficial effect on patients with high blood pressure and those suffering from diseases of the genitourinary system.

It is important to follow a drinking regime, and not to abuse products that contain vitamin C in significant quantities. However, lemon juice diluted in water can replace such a simple drink as lemon water. In fact, it is plain water with a few lemon wedges in it. This is an excellent option for those who are afraid of the negative effects of citric acid and the harm of vitamin C.

6. Lemons increase the level of iron in the blood

Fruits containing vitamin C should be consumed with caution, and those suffering from such a rare genetic disease as hemochromatosis. This condition is characterized by the fact that the body accumulates an excessive amount of iron. This can cause irreparable damage to health, as an excess of iron triggers destructive processes in tissues and organs. The damage of vitamin C in this case is manifested in the microelement's ability to increase the level of iron in the blood.

Research by scientists from the University of Virginia showed that using vitamin C together with other products, it is impossible to raise the level of iron to a critical level. Therefore, if you do not have problems with the level of iron in the blood, then lemon juice is safe. Otherwise, drink water with lemon.

7. Harm of vitamin C in migraine

No matter how useful and safe lemon juice seems for the body, people suffering from migraines should limit themselves to half a glass of lemon juice diluted in water. It has been scientifically proven that lemons and other citrus fruits provoke migraine attacks. This is associated with the presence of tyramine in them, a specific protein element. It is not necessary to give up lemons altogether.

Vitamin C is a necessary trace element for health, but it is better not to exceed the recommended doses. And even better, remember again about such a miracle drink as water with lemon, and be sure to include it in your daily diet. It is a useful source of vitamin C and an excellent remedy for disease.

8. Lemons and sunburn

Lemons are known to have a whitening effect. That is why they are often used as a natural cosmetic. Lemon juice can effectively whiten the skin, including removing tan. But it does not protect against the effects of sunlight. And if you have very light skin, then applying lemon juice before going out into the sun increases the chances of not only getting a tan, but also getting a sunburn. When using lemon juice for cosmetic purposes, be sure to wash it off before going outside.

People who suffer from phytophotodermatitis (Lyme disease, or daisy photodermatitis) should be especially careful with the use of lemon juice directly on the skin. They have very sensitive skin, and there is a danger of getting a sunburn after only two or three minutes of being in the sun, as a result of which dark spots and even blisters appear on the skin. Such symptoms require immediate medical attention.

The effect of quick tanning lemons owe to the organic substances furanocoumarins contained in them, which are activated under the influence of direct sunlight and contribute to darkening of the skin. It should be noted that lemon juice is not recommended to be applied to dry skin. It dries her up even more.

Lemon juice in moderate doses is an excellent means for maintaining health and cleansing the body. Lemon is a truly unique fruit that contains vitamin C, which is necessary for the body in huge quantities. Do not neglect it and be sure to include it in your diet. Even lemon water in the morning will bring health benefits. This wonderful drink will charge you with vigor and energy for the whole day. And if you prefer juice, then stick to the measure, and then you will not be at risk of vitamin C damage.