Lemon juice on an empty stomach is not suitable for everyone, as opposite to be known for its health benefits. It can cause digestive problems and degrade tooth enamel.
Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, lemon has benefited from a nutritional standpoint. Some people recommend drinking the juice in the morning on an empty stomach.
This would allow you to fill up on vitamins, lose weight, and even have white teeth. If the pressed fruit can indeed be good for your health, it is better not to consume too much.
What are the benefits of lemon juice?
“In a 100-gram homemade lemon juice, there are 42.4 milligrams of vitamin C, the content equivalent to that of a small orange”, explains Pauline Pied, nutritionist, at Ouest-France. Vitamin C has multiple functions in the body: it facilitates healing, strengthens our immune defences against viral and bacterial infections, helps assimilation of iron and protects the walls of blood vessels. For an adult, it is suggested to consume 110 milligrams per day. Citrus is also rich in antioxidants. These compounds block free radicals, responsible for cellular ageing.
It does not make you lose weight …
There is no evidence that drinking lemon on an empty stomach would be beneficial for weight loss. Brazilian researchers have shown, however, that it may have benefits for obese people. To reach these conclusions, they gave lemon to mice whose diets were high in fat. “Our trial did not show any lemon-related weight loss,” said Thais B. Cesar, study director. “However, it made them healthier, with lower oxidative stress, a healthier liver, lower lipid and blood sugar levels.”
… And is not recommended in case of stomach disorders
For people with stomach problems, lemon is not recommended. “The acidic pH increases the burning sensation in the stomach and oesophagus, says Dr Laurence Plumey at Femme Actuelle. If your digestive system is a little sensitive, you must also be careful. If you experience heartburn, when you drink lemon juice, avoid consuming it. ” In short, if you sometimes have heartburn or acid reflux, drinking lemon juice may do more harm than good.
Watch out for tooth enamel!
Lemon juice is sometimes consumed to whiten teeth. But before trying the experiment, it is best to talk to your dentist. Its high acidity can make tooth enamel porous and make it easier to develop cavities. In 2005, the Academy of General Dentistry published a study on this subject. These healthcare professionals find that foods with an acidic pH, such as lemon, can cause irreversible tooth enamel erosion. “The first thing patients can do is reduce the risk of dental erosion by reducing their intake,” say members of the association. Saliva also has a protective effect for the teeth: chewing gum after eating or drinking an acidic product helps stimulate its production, and thus protects the teeth. The association also recommends rinsing your mouth after drinking lemon juice.