Disadvantages of drinking lemon water daily

Lemon water has become a popular beverage in recent years. While there's little scientific research, there are some proposed benefits to enjoying a glass of lemon water, including weight loss and better digestion. At first glance, it seems harmless, even if it's not effective. However, there are also several disadvantages of drinking lemon water daily that you should know about.

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Disadvantages of Drinking Lemon Water Daily

First, let's take a look at the potential side effects of enjoying lemon water every day. 

Potential negative effects of drinking lemon water each day can include:

• Increased risk of sunburn
• Tooth erosion
• Digestive upset
• Cancer sores

Increased Risk of Sunburn

Lemons contain psoralen, which increases your sensitivity to sunlight. If you drink lemon water every day, you'll want to use sunscreen when spending time outside. 

Tooth Erosion 

Tooth erosion is another disadvantage of drinking lemon water. Lemon juice is 5-6% citric acid. Although lemon water is less acidic than lemon juice, it still poses a problem, particularly over time. A case study revealed a 30-year-old woman who consumed lemon water several times daily and had severe tooth enamel erosion. 

You can reduce the effects by rinsing your mouth after drinking lemon water, using a straw, and brushing your teeth one hour after drinking the lemon water. 

Digestive Upset 

The same acid that can erode your tooth enamel can also cause digestive issues. This is one of the disadvantages of drinking lemon water in empty stomach. Heartburn and GERD can be caused or aggravated by lemon water. You may also experience nausea.

If these issues happen after drinking lemon water, you may want to avoid lemon water. However, there's a common belief that lemon water helps with stomach upset or acid reflux. 

Side Effects of Lemon Water for Female

There are a few side effects of lemon for female that may surprise you. The most common issues are migraine and lower fertility. 

Migraines

The most common issue is migraine, which is more common in women.  Lemons contain tyramine. Tyramine is known to trigger migraines in some people. If you get migraines after enjoying red wine or aged cheese, which also contains tyramine, you may want to steer clear of lemon water. 

Lower Fertility 

This could be considered a side effect of lemon water for female or a benefit, depending on your family planning goals. Lemon has long been used as a contraceptive in Mediterranean society, and in Nigeria, women who want to conceive are told to avoid lemon water. 

There's actually some research to back up these claims. A recent study found that lemon juice significantly lowered follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in female mice. These hormones are essential for conception. More research is needed before you toss your birth control pills. However, if you want to conceive, it's a good idea to avoid lemon water. 

Diuretic Effect

Lemon water is a good way to hydrate, particularly if you don't enjoy drinking plain water. However, it also has a diuretic effect, which can cause dehydration. This is more pronounced in women, who are at a higher risk of low salt levels due to diuretics. 

While an occasional glass of lemon water is unlikely to cause dehydration, you may want to avoid drinking several glasses in a day. If you are taking a diuretic medication, the effects may be more severe. 

Disadvantages of Drinking Hot Water with Honey and Lemon

There are disadvantages of drinking hot water with honey and lemon as well. Some of these are the same as lemon water, and include a risk of heartburn and tooth enamel erosion. 

 However, there are a few disadvantages that are specific to hot water with honey and lemon. 

Sugar Highs and Lows

The honey in your mug does have some health benefits. However, it does contain glucose. While it does increase your blood sugar levels, the spike is less than refined sugar produces. 

However, when your sugar goes up, it must go back down. This can lead to a sugar crash, particularly if you are sensitive to sugar fluctuations. 

Stomach Upset 

We know that the acid in lemon water can cause stomach upset, including nausea, heartburn, and GERD. However, drinking hot liquids can also cause stomach issues. The hot water can irritate the lining of your stomach and esophagus. If you have heartburn or GERD, you'll be more likely to experience effects due to hot water. 

 Warmth tends to relax muscles, including your esophageal sphincter. The sphincter prevents stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus once it's swallowed. If it's relaxed, your stomach contents can come back up, which leads to GERD. 

How Much Lemon Water Should You Drink a Day? 

Despite the potential side effects, most people find that they can enjoy lemon water daily in moderation. To reduce the risk of adverse effects, you can use a straw and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach. To improve digestion, consider drinking lemon water immediately before a meal or with a meal. 

One to two glasses of lemon water a day is considered a moderate amount and may offer some modest health benefits. To make lemon water, just squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water.  You can add other healthy ingredients, like a sprig of mint, slices of ginger, or a spoon of turmeric powder.

However, you may want to avoid dropping the lemon in your glass since research has shown the skin of lemons can harbor bacteria.  

Final Thoughts on Drinking Lemon Water 

Lemon water can be good for you, but it's important to understand the potential risks as well. If you experience negative effects from drinking lemon water, it's best to avoid it. However, if you don't have any side effects, consider enjoying one glass a day.

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