Drinking high doses of pure lemon juice - a dangerous trend

Many people believe that drinking lemon water can improve sexual function, prolong life, and even restore menstruation after menopause. However, experts say this is a trend that lacks scientific basis and poses serious health risks.

Recently, on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, many groups and videos have appeared promoting drinking 200-500ml of pure lemon juice every day (equivalent to 3-6 lemons) to "detoxify, lose weight, and cure all diseases". Many people also believe that drinking lemon juice helps improve physiology, prolong life, and even restore menstruation after menopause. However, experts affirm that this is a trend lacking scientific basis and poses many serious health risks.

Lemon juice when used in moderation (about 1/2 lemon per day, diluted if drunk directly) will bring many health benefits. Because lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, it helps strengthen immunity, is an antioxidant; supports nutrient absorption and improves skin; helps wounds heal quickly thanks to vitamin C promoting collagen synthesis...

However, when using high doses of lemon juice with citric acid and vitamin C concentrations exceeding the safe threshold, it can cause many worrying health effects such as: damage to teeth and mouth, because citric acid accounts for 5% -6% in lemon juice, eroding tooth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity and cavities; damage to the digestive system, causing stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, especially dangerous for people with existing digestive diseases; digestive disorders, causing users to have abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea due to high levels of acid irritating the intestinal mucosa.

In addition, using large amounts of pure lemon juice every day can cause electrolyte imbalance and the risk of kidney stones, which is dangerous for people with chronic kidney disease; reduce the effectiveness or increase the side effects of anticoagulants, lipid-lowering drugs, antifungal drugs, etc.

The recommended vitamin C requirement for adults is only 75-90mg/day, with a maximum of 2,000mg/day. Exceeding this threshold can cause diarrhea, nausea, digestive disorders, kidney stones and iron metabolism disorders. You should only drink 1-2 glasses of diluted lemon juice/day (1/4-1/2 lemon mixed with 240-300ml of water); absolutely do not drink on an empty stomach or replace medication with lemon juice.

Master, Doctor, Specialist 1 NGUYEN HUU TIN, People's Hospital 115

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/uong-nuoc-chanh-nguyen-chat-lieu-cao-trao-luu-nguy-hiem-post796560.html