7 health benefits of lemon juice and side effects of consuming too much

Do you love the sour taste of lemon? A dash of lemon juice is enough to add a tangy taste to your dish. From savoury dishes to drinks, lemon juice is added to accentuate the flavour of food. Did you know that lemons are beneficial for your skin, hair, and overall health? That’s right, lemons can be a wonderful addition to your diet. Let’s look at the benefits of lemon juice and how much you should have every day to keep diseases at bay.

Benefits of lemon juice

Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, soluble fiber, and plant compounds that offer several health benefits. Here are the benefits of lemon juice regularly as explained by Dr Neeti Sharma, Sr. Consultant – Nutrition and Dietetics at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram:

1. Aids weight loss

Are you trying to shed the extra kilos? Lemon juice contains properties that can help boost your metabolism, which will help you maintain a healthy weight. Drinking it regularly will help you cut down your calorie intake. It also includes vitamin C and is rich in antioxidants that can be a healthy option to replace various sugary sports drinks and juices which are not at all a healthy option for your body, explains Dr Sharma.

2. Prevents dehydration

Did you know even mild dehydration can lead to problems like high blood pressure, heart rate, and high body temperature? Severe dehydration can lead to dire consequences, which makes it crucial to stay hydrated. Having lemon juice regularly can help you prevent dehydration.

3. Reduces free radical damage

Lemon juice is a citrus fruit and a good source of antioxidants, a component important to prevent free radicals from causing cell damage that leads to cancer.

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4. Helps avoid kidney stones

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which contains a salt called citrate that binds to calcium and prevents the production of stones. Drinking half a cup of lemon juice diluted in water regularly can help reduce the risk of getting kidney stones, as per Harvard Health.

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5. Improves digestion

Lemon juice is also good for your digestive system. It contains citric acid which has been demonstrated to increase gastric acid secretion, which is a digestive fluid your body produces in the stomach to help it break down and digest meals.

6. Prevents anemia

Do you feel exhausted most of the time? Are you breathless most of the time? These are all symptoms of anemia, which is caused when red blood cells are unable to receive enough oxygen in the bloodstream. Lemon juice contains vitamin C, which aids in iron absorption and can help the body restore iron. Studies have found that lemon juice can help prevent anemia.

7. Boosts heart health

Lemons are high in fiber, which helps control your cholesterol levels and allows the blood to flow freely to your arteries, reducing the chances of heart disease. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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How much lemon juice is enough to reap its benefits?

Adding lemon juice to your diet can be beneficial for your health. Dr Sharma recommends including 2-3 lemons per day for lemon juice. She says that consuming lemon juice regularly can help strengthen the body, bones, promote oral health, prevent anemia, and help boost overall heart and brain health.

Side effects of lemon juice

Lemon juice is generally safe to drink but it might not suit some people. Here are the side effects of lemon juice, as explained by the expert:

1. Some people who are allergic to citrus fruits should avoid drinking. It is best to look out for any signs of an allergy.
2. People suffering from migraines should also avoid lemon juice.
3. Sometimes, it aggravates stomach problems and due to its acidic nature, you may feel acidic after consuming it.
4. Since it is acidic in nature, it may erode tooth enamel, which leads to tooth decay.