10 Serious Side Effects of Lime Juice on Your Health

By Andrew Alpin, 14 June 2018

You have to admit one thing and that is too much of something is equally bad as it is good. Nature has given us some really super foods like lemons but did you know that too much lemon can have some serious side effects too? Lemons are packed with vitamin C and can prevent ailments but that doesn’t mean you will consume them day in and out. Read on to find out the negative effects of too much lemon.

1Tooth decay

Yes, too much lemon can erode your enamel. There has been quite a bit of research to this effect that drinking lemon can cause teeth erosion. The conventional reason for tooth decay is when bacteria enters the mouth; poor oral hygiene causes it to remain to create plaque and tartar resulting in cavities. Sugar because of its acidic content also causes cavities but lemon?

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Here’s how

Research at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research observed how too much lemon juice can corrode tooth enamel. The decay slowly attacks the outer enamel progressing to the dentin which is when you experience sensitivity and cavities.

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2GERD

GERD or Gastroesophageal disorder is usually caused by high levels of acid in the stomach caused by eating certain foods. It is made worse by spicy and highly acidic foods affecting the outer lining of the stomach.

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How lemon affects GERD?

While a few drops of lemon in water is known to cure the effects of GERD, too much of lemon combined with other foods are bound to have an alternate effect. Excess lemon can irritate the throat and esophagus increasing the problems of GERD which can cause nausea, vomiting and heartburn.

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3Stomach Ulcers

Peptic ulcers can be really irritating. They are painful lesions in the lining of the small intestine. When the protective lining of your stomach which is made of thick mucus gets corroded from spicy and acidic food or even alcohol, peptic ulcers form a leading to abdominal pain and heartburn.

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How citric acid affects ulcers

Lime contains citric acid and too much of it can seriously affect the ulcers making them worse. In fact, citric acid can also lead to the formation of new ulcers when consumed in excess and combine with your own stomach acids. Citric acid can also prevent existing ulcers from healing. When ulcers get too bad, it can also lead to vomiting and weight loss.

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4Pregnancy problems

Pregnancy is a crucial time for any mother to be to take care of her health. When consuming lime juice in pregnancy, you have to be careful as it may affect the baby in the womb.

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Here’s how lime juice can affect your pregnancy

Unpasteurized lime juice may be harmful in pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your immunity decreases and you are at risk of contracting disease which is why nutrition and exercise are extremely important to stay healthy. Pregnancy is a time when you will usually experience increased bouts of heartburn and nausea. Lime juice consumption in such times can lead to diarrhea, stomach cramps, and indigestion.

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5Hemochromatosis

When your body isn't able to absorb iron, it is a condition called hemochromatosis where iron salts increase and start depositing on tissues causing further health issues. You need to know that ascorbic acid or vitamin C in lime juice directly impacts the absorption of iron in our body.

Excess vitamin C may result in excess absorption of iron from food. But, even as Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, it can also do the opposite. This results in excess iron collecting inside the body. In such cases, you may experience joint pain, weakness, fatigue and sometimes heart failure.

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6Sulfite Disorders

Sulfur-based compounds that exist naturally are called Sulphites. They are also used as preservatives in food products. Sulfite also exists in lime juice and those with sulfite sensitivity will definitely face problems.

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How sulfites affect you

Sulfites are nothing but inorganic salts existing in a number of food ingredients to preserve their shelf life. They also stop food from turning brown and prevent bacteria formation. In the case of lime juice, too much of it can trigger sulfite allergies like nausea, cough, hives, rash, abdominal cramps and itching.

7Kidneys

Yes! You heard right, while lemon juice is considered a detox for kidneys and your body, too much of it can impact your kidneys and even cause kidney stones. Those with kidney problems should not consume lime juice.

Here’s how

All citric fruits are high in potassium and high levels of electrolytes will not be managed by weakened kidneys. Excess levels of potassium, phosphorous and sodium might cause problems like weakness, reduced heart rate, and arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm.

Moreover, those who consume high amounts of lemon juice or take vitamin C supplements increase their risk of kidney stones. Kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate and excess vitamin C is excreted through the kidneys in oxalate form that can increase stone formation.

8Lime and lemon juice can aggravate mouth ulcers

Those little canker sores and mouth ulcers can be really painful. Adding lemon to your food may aggravate them further, make them more painful or even cause more. When you have canker sores, its best to heal before drinking lemon again.

9Frequent urination

Lemon juice works as a diuretic and increases the output of urine. If this is increased, you may experience dehydration. The lemon juice rids your body of all excess water; leading to a loss of electrolytes and sodium in the body. Moreover those with potassium deficiencies should never drink lime juice.

10Sunburns

Research has shown that if you venture out with lemon juice or lime juice on your hands you stand a risk of getting sunburned and even regular burns. The condition is called phytodermatitis where chemical in the lemon interact with the sun causing burning of the skin tissue. Those who consume high amounts of lime juice also increase their risk of malignant melanoma. However, you don’t need to stop drinking lime or lemon juice as moderate consumption can also be good for health.

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