Lemon tea is a favorite for many people! Enriched with the antioxidative polyphenols of tea and immune-boosting capacities of vitamin C in lemons, it is a sure-shot way to boost your overall health! However, too much consumption can lead you to face the side effects of lemon tea as well! While it may come as a surprise to you, it’s better to be aware of the possible risks and concerns. This article breaks it down for you to know how much of lemon tea is just good enough for you!
Top 10 Lemon Tea Side Effects
Check out here some of the serious side effects of lemon tea. Read on to know more.
1. Tooth Erosion
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People who consume lemon tea regularly may show signs of tooth enamel erosion. Lemon can be a silent killer for your teeth enamel, making your teeth susceptible to acute pain and sensitivity to sharp changes in temperature as lemon can cause higher erosivity (1).
StyleCraze SaysConsuming excess lemon (or citrus fruits) may also lead to a tingling sensation in the mouth (called ‘dantaharshana’ or ‘hypersensitive tooth’) (11).
2. Heartburn
Excessive consumption of lemon tea can alter the pH level of your stomach and intestine, causing acidic reflux where acid from your stomach moves up to your esophagus (2). This can cause a burning sensation in the chest and sometimes vomiting.
Related: 9 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Heartburns And Reflux Quickly
3. Dehydration
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In extreme cases, lemon may work as a diuretic. That simply means it triggers dehydration in the body by a frequent urge to urinate. Consuming lemon tea quite frequently may prove dangerous and may cause dehydration in the body. Also, lemon tea is not very effective at restoring fluid balance after exercise-induced dehydration (3).
Related: 15 Simple And Effective Home Remedies To Treat Dehydration
4. Canker Sores
Drinking too much lemon tea can irritate mucous membranes and potentially lead to canker sores (4). Lemon tea can play havoc in your mouth.
5. Unsafe For Pregnant Woman
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Pregnant women are advised against the consumption of lemon tea as it contains caffeine. Excessive consumption of caffeine may trigger miscarriage or other severe side effects (5).
6. Unsafe For Lactating Mothers
Women who are breastfeeding their babies should also steer clear of lemon tea. Yes, it is refreshing – just what an exhausted new mother needs. But the caffeine from the tea gets blended with the breast milk and the baby may become more fussy or irritable due to this (6).
7. Osteoporosis
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Lemon tea silently flushes out large amount of calcium from the body through urine, which may cause osteoporosis in the later stages of life (7).
Related: 12 Safe Exercises For Osteoporosis With Steps And Pictures
8. Absorbs Aluminum
When you add lemon in your tea, the aluminum present in the tea gets absorbed in the body, which does not happen if you drink normal tea. This absorbed aluminum may cause toxicity in the body, which can lead to encephalopathy, osteomalacia or aplastic bone disease, proximal myopathy, increased risk of infection, increased left ventricular mass and decreased myocardial function, and microcytic anemia with very high levels and even sudden death (8), (9).
9. Alzheimer’s
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Studies have linked the intake of lemon tea with the chances of having Alzheimer’s disease in later stages of life. Regular intake of lemon tea may cause accumulation of plaque in the brain, which has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s (10).
10. Stomach Problems
In some people, regular intake of lemon tea can cause stomach ache, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and even ulcer.
StyleCraze Says In the Ayurveda Book of Medicines, mixing lemon and honey with hot water is prohibited. The combination is believed to alter the natural qualities of the ingredients and potentially cause digestive problems.
All these side effects of lemon tea are serious, but they do not mean that you refrain yourself totally from your daily source of relaxation. All you need to do is be moderate. Don’t drink more than one cup a day and if possible, avoid having it first thing in the morning when your stomach is empty. If you feel any symptoms like tooth sensitivity, stomach ache or nausea, give this habit a break and consult your doctor and thoroughly discuss about lemon tea benefits and side effects. Otherwise, cheers to lemon tea!
Lemon tea is a tangy, refreshing beverage with rich antioxidative polyphenols. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that help treat several ailments. However, one must also be aware of the unexpected side effects of lemon tea with its excessive consumption. The tea may cause tooth erosion, heartburn, dehydration, canker sores, and may increase osteoporosis risk. It also may lead to diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ache, and ulcer. In addition, its overconsumption is unsafe for pregnant and lactating women. Hence, consume it in moderation. Consult your doctor if you have any preexisting medical conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you drink lemon tea every day?
Lemon tea exhibits many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat many ailments. From improving heart health to enhancing skin health, drinking lemon tea offers many benefits.
Does lemon tea make you poop?
Lemons are high in vitamin C, which can pull water into the gut. This, in turn, increases the water content inside the gut and may stimulate bowel movements.
Can I drink lemon tea at night?
Yes. The intake of lemon tea at night may regulate high blood sugar levels while sleeping. It is also a great alternative to water to keep you hydrated.
Does lemon tea raise blood pressure?
No. In fact, consumption of lemon tea may lower blood pressure levels. However, limited research is available in this regard.
Sources
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Influence of Various Acidic Beverages on Tooth Erosion. Evaluation by a New Method
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4452714/ - Acidic and neutral liquid ingestion in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25296082/ - Effect of a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage lemon tea or water on rehydration during short-term recovery from exercise
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21813913/ - The effect of dietary habits on the development of the recurrent aphthous stomatitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3530246/ - Antenatal coffee and tea consumption and the effect on birth outcome and hypertensive pregnancy disorders
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5433714/ - Maternal Diet
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html - In vitro and in vivo study of effect of lemon juice on urinary lithogenesis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16482864/ - The Health Effects of Aluminum Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5651828/ - HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ALUMINIUM ALUMINIUM OXIDE AND ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDE
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC2782734/ - Understanding Aspects of Aluminum Exposure in Alzheimer’s Disease Development
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8028870/ - A survey based study on etiological factors responsible for Dantaharsha with special reference to hypersensitive teeth
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334082709_A_survey_based_study_on_etiological_factors_responsible_for_Dantaharsha_with_special_reference_to_hypersensitive_teeth
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Tanya Choudhary
Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin,… more
Mayuri Aavula
(MSc (Dietetics))Mayuri Aavula is one of the top nutritionists in Hyderabad, India, and has won several awards and accolades. She started… more
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