Lemon water has long been touted as one of the healthiest drinks, but it’s not as healthy as you may think. As a matter of fact, lemon water doesn’t even boost your immune system like so many have written before. There are even times that you actually should reconsider and try another drink.
1. If You Have a History of Stomach Problems
Although lemon water’s wide range of benefits often centers on gut health, according to Medical News Today, squeezing too much in your water can worsen common maladies like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux.
GERD and acid reflux are triggered by acidic foods, like lemons, and can cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
2. When You Go Out to Eat
The next time you’re in a restaurant and you order water with lemon, you might be drinking more than you bargained for.
As a matter of fact, those lemon wedges you love could be covered in little, tiny, dirty organisms harmful to your body.
Researchers tested the rinds and flesh of 76 lemons from 21 restaurants collected during 43 visits and found that an incredible 70 percent of them produced microbial growth.
The samples were collected as soon as the beverage (either soda or water) was served, before drinking or touching.
While researchers couldn’t pinpoint the exact origins of the microorganisms, they speculated that they may have come from the restaurant employee or raw meat or poultry contamination, among other sources.
“Although lemons have known antimicrobial properties, the results of our study indicate that