Lemons are used in different recipes, due to their health benefits. However, the acid in lemon juice can significantly dry your skin and cause some stinging and bleeding pimples.
This is because of the antimicrobial properties of citric and ascorbic acids, which can prevent mouth infections, but at the same time can irritate the mucous membranes causing canker sores. It can also cause ulcers, heartburn, kidney problems, dehydration and GERD.
Negative Effects of Lemon Juice
Lemon and lemon juice is used for many beauty and culinary purposes. Some people consume lemon juice in the morning in order to cleanse their body, provide a better look of their skin or lose some weight. Although generally a safe and beneficial fruit, lemon juice has some side effects.
First, lemon is rich in acid and people with sensitive stomachs should avoid it because it has a low pH. Second, due to its acidic properties, lemon is used for treating many skin issues such as pimples, scars and pigmentation because it is believed that it should remove these problems. However, you should be careful when using lemon for your face, because it might have some negative effects on your skin.
Lemon juice and Dry Skin – If your skin is normal or already dry, do not use lemon juice because it can additionally and excessively dry your skin.
Lemon and Pimples – The lemon’s acid can cause stinging and bleeding pimples.
Lightens skin – The astringent properties of lemon juice can lighten your skin.
Not for dark skin – People with dark skin should avoid using treating acne with lemon juice because it can cause dark spots on their skin.
Additional Side Effects of Lemon
1. Erosion of Teeth
A greater consumption of lemon water can cause extensive contact of acid with the teeth. The acid erodes the enamel of the teeth, making the teeth sensitive to cold or hot foods. If you like to protect your teeth from this acid, drink acidic drinks through a straw.
2. Heartburn
A greater intake of lemon water can trigger heartburn or even worse the condition if you already have one. This condition causes severe pain and burning in your chest. So, reduce the intake of acidic drinks and food in order to prevent the heartburn symptoms.
3. Ulcers and GERD
The acid content can irritate the stomach lining and prevent the proper healing of ulcers. GERD or gastroesphageal reflux disorder, condition with symptoms like vomiting, nausea and heartburn. GERD is caused by acidic, fatty and spicy food. Lemon juice not only it can trigger GERD, but it can irritate the esophageal lining.
4. Upset Stomach
The lemon juice can upset your stomach because it retains its acidity in the further digestion. In some cases, the acidity is helpful for digesting food, but an excessive amount can irritate the mucous membrane and cause stomach pain and heartburn. To provide this negative effect, start with a small amount of lemon juice diluted with some water.
5. Dehydration and Frequent Urination
Sometimes, the heavy consumption of lemon water can cause dehydration. For this reason, reduce the amount of lemon juice that you add to your drink. Rarely, lemon water can have a diuretic effect. This is a result of the high content of ascorbic acid and vitamin C, nutrients famous for their diuretic properties. They increase the production of urine in the kidneys and help the body eliminate the excess fluid and sodium for a short time.
6. Gallbladder and Kidney Problems
Lemon and lime peels are rich in oxalates, substances found in animals, plants and human beings. When these oxalates are too concentrated in the body fluids, they crystallize, causing many health problems. For this reason, people with gallbladder and kidney problems should avoid the lime and lemon peels. According to some laboratory studies, the oxalates can obstruct the absorption of calcium from the body.
7. Wax Coatings
For a bruising protection during shipping, the lemons and limes can be waxed with petroleum-based, insect, animal, or plant waxes. The waxes can contain ethyl alcohol or ethanol for consistency, milk casein for film formers and soaps for flowing agents. This is one more reason to choose organically grown lemons and limes .
Conclusion
Do not treat any medical issue with lemon water before you consult your doctor. If you notice any side effects from it, stop drinking immediately. If the side effect is still present, seek for medical attention at the very moment. If you consume the lemon water for the general health of your body, add half a lemon or just a few drops in the water, not to cause any disorders in your stomach.
Via Cure Joy
