Starting your day with this popular beverage could lead to stomach problems
Lemon water is a refreshing drink enjoyed by many, who often regard it as healthy. Nonetheless, it might not be suitable for everyone. Particularly, people with gastrointestinal issues need to exercise caution as it could aggravate their symptoms.
3:16 PM EST, November 12, 2023
Drinking lemon water has become a popular daily ritual, well-known for promoting hydration, health benefits, and even weight loss. Nevertheless, is making it a daily routine always a good idea? Not necessarily. There are conditions when this ostensibly wholesome beverage may cause harm. It's therefore crucial to recognize when to avoid lemon water.
Lemon water's potential damage to tooth enamel
New York-based dietitian, Emily Tills, points out several myths swirling around the practice of consuming lemon water. While it's a rich source of vitamin C, essential for normal bodily functions, it also contains acid that can erode tooth enamel. Thus, people with dental problems should moderate their consumption of lemon water.
Lemon water might aggravate stomach issues
The acids present in lemons could irritate the stomach and intestinal lining. Hence, people with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux or stomach or duodenal ulcers should avoid lemon water. Consuming this beverage might intensify their symptoms, triggering abdominal pain, heartburn, or nausea.
How to ensure safety while consuming lemon water?
Lemon water can be safe for those without health issues, but a few principles should be followed to lessen the chances of adverse side effects.
- Add just enough lemon juice to your water for taste.
- Consider using a straw to drink to limit contact between the juice and your tooth enamel.
- Those with stomach issues will do well to avoid lemon water or limit their intake.
What are some alternatives to lemon in water?
If you decide to avoid lemon water due to potential risks, there are plenty of other options to add flavor to your water. Mint, basil, ginger, turmeric, fresh cucumber, or your choice of fruit can all serve as great substitutes. It's not the lemon flavor as much as the water itself that's important - opting for mineral water in glass bottles is always best.
When picking the right ingredients to enrich your water, carefully consider what suits your health needs and flavor preferences the best. By dodging certain ingredients that could trigger health disturbances, you can indulge in various water flavors without fretting over side effects.
