You either love them or hate them, but it’s no secret the tangy taste of lemons has meant the fruit has risen in popularity in recent years!
Whether you simply like a splash of lemon in your water, add it to your cooking, or use it as a simple seasoning on your salad, it is a versatile fruit and has countless culinary uses.
It’s not only tasty but also has benefits such as being able to remove acne, treat oily skin, lighten darken elbows or even remove blackheads, their uses are endless and this is why they are becoming more and more in demand every day!
But, it does have its share of side effects as does every food. This is why we have written this article to tell you a little more about the use of lemon and any potential side effects you should be aware of.
Side Effects Of Lemon
Tooth Decay
We’ve heard it before from our dentists, that fruit and vegetables that are acidic can be harmful to our teeth.
However, this is the same acidity that makes lemon so good at treating some health and beauty conditions we mentioned at the start.
Acidity causes many problems including tooth decay and a study published in 1961 showed that the acidic content of the fruit caused the erosion of tooth enamel, stained teeth, cavities, and other problems you would have to go to the dentist to fix.
If you are concerned with this but want to keep eating lemons, you can always mix the juice with other items so it is not as harsh.
Weakness
Lemon juice can aid in weight loss when consumed with other ingredients.
However, you should only stick to one glass every day as consuming too much means you will develop weaknesses in the body with a lack of concentration and lethargy.
Dark Spots
You might have used lemons to treat dark spots on your skin before but this might not always have the result you are looking for and applying it on pimples will only cause a burning sensation meaning you will end up with red skin or rashes on top.
People with darker skin should avoid using lemon as a treatment for acne or other conditions as you will often be left with even more dark spots.
Headaches
Lemons have lots of amino acid tyramine and this causes stimulation of blood flow in the brain. This sudden flow will mean you might experience sudden migraines and headaches.
Ulcers And GERD
Ulcers and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease can be common side effects of too many lemons and the acidic content increases the acid production making your stomach very acidic.
This means you could experience vomiting, regurgitation, or a sore throat as a result of GERD.
People who have stomach ulcers should also be wary as too many lemons can cause further damage.
Kidney Issues
Lemon peels, in particular, have a large number of oxalates and these affect the absorption of calcium in our body by turning them into crystals.
This lack of absorptions means you could develop stones in your kidneys or gallbladder.
Negative Effects On Sensitive Skin
You might have come across an article online telling you how great lemons are for beauty and health reasons.
They might tell you to use it on your skin for either getting rid of acne or pimples or any other reason we have already mentioned.
However, you should always avoid this advice if you have sensitive skin. Instead of helping your problem, it will make it worse and will just irritate the skin.
Moreover, lemon often makes dry skin even drier and so those with flaky or dry skin should avoid using it too.
Upsetting Your Stomach
Since lemons have so much acidity, the acidity can remain in the body until it is digested and though it can aid digestion, eating too much can irritate the mucous membrane meaning you could end up with acid reflux, heartburn, or other kinds of stomach pain.
Urination And Dehydration
Another side effect of too many lemons is that they can cause excessive urination and dehydration and sometimes can have a diuretic effect.
The acid shows diuretic properties as a result of the high content of vitamin C and ascorbic acid. This means although it can detox your body, it can also lead to dehydration.
Nausea And Diarrhea
Diarrhea and nausea can be caused by the iron toxicity in lemons. The ascorbic acid in lemon leads to better iron absorption and this means you have excess iron in your body.
However, iron toxicity can also reduce the effect of Chloroquine, which is used for Malaria treatment.
Heartburn
Heartburn is another side effect that could occur when you use lemons and this happens when the esophagus is affected due to stomach acid.
People who have heartburn will suffer from chronic pain and will experience a burning sensation in their chest. This means if you suffer from heartburn, it’s a good idea to stay away from lemons.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women can drink too much lemon juice but they should monitor their intake.
Too much lemon juice will result in heartburn, sore throats, decalcification of bones and teeth, and more so always drink in moderation.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed this article on the side effects of lemon and realize although it can be beneficial, you should monitor your intake of lemon juice too.
You should be aware of these side effects, especially if you are pregnant or have suffered from medical issues such as heartburn or chronic pain before and you should know the preventative measures you need to take if you like the benefits of the fruit and might end up eating too many lemons.
Through Addicted To Veggies, I want to share with you my favorite raw recipes. From brownie recipes, to recipes containing pumpkin, my site is full of delicious and wonderful options to consider.
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