I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.

– Ron White

There is a wealth of conflicting information surrounding the benefits and drawbacks of consuming lemons. While most sources we’ve delved into for this article extol the virtues of lemons, a few caution against potential health risks. Despite our best efforts to present a balanced viewpoint, it’s clear that this article alone cannot definitively resolve the issue. Therefore, we urge our readers to conduct further research to make informed decisions.

Too cheap to be true. 

There’s a common belief that when a product is incredibly affordable, it might lack quality. However, this perception doesn’t hold true for lemons, often priced at less than a dollar in stores. In fact, lemons possess many beneficial qualities, notably their exceptional antioxidant properties, as demonstrated by Al-Ghafari in 2016. (Al-Ghafari et al. 2016).

An antioxidant prevents the formation of free radicals like hydrogen peroxidase. At low concentrations, free radicals support biological functions. However, when secreted excessively, they can cause oxidative stress, which leads to chronic inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, and others.  Antioxidants, therefore, play an essential role in regulating the concentration of free radicals and oxidants in the human body (Pham-Huy et al., 2008).

To emphasize the antioxidative properties of lemon, Al-Ghafari and colleagues demonstrated that lemon significantly boosted tea’s antioxidant properties. Based on their findings, lemon-tea is a winning combination. However, it would have been more interesting to illustrate the antioxidant properties of lemon exclusively (Al-Ghafari et al. 2016).

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that lemon has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. A historical case documented by Dr. HS Purdon, a dermatologist in the 1900s, is a compelling example. Dr. Purdon’s patient struggled with a persistent case of psoriasis, characterized by immune cell-mediated inflammation and the rapid production of skin cells (reference). Chronic inflammation is often a hallmark of this ailment(Nograles et al., 2010).

After attempting traditional treatments like arsenic with no positive results, Dr. Purdon recommended a novel approach – the daily application of a slice of lemon on the affected skin as frequently as necessary. Remarkably, within a few months, his patient experienced a complete recovery. While this case vividly illustrates the potent anti-inflammatory effects of lemon, it’s essential to heed Dr. Purdon’s caution that this outcome may not be universally applicable to all cases of psoriasis (Purdon, H.S., 1897). 

When we thought it could not get any better.

The stomach’s natural pH is relatively low, typically around 1.5. This acidic environment serves to promote not only efficient food digestion but also acts as a barrier against potential microorganisms. Some blog publications have raised concerns about long-term lemon consumption potentially leading to an alkaline shift in the stomach’s environment due to reduced gastric acid pH, which could foster the growth of microorganisms and infections.

However, it’s important to note a limitation in Panda’s study. It was conducted in vitro using artificial gastric acid, which means it did not simulate the conditions of the human body’s physiological environment. The results might differ when tested in real human subjects. Additionally, variables such as the concentration of lemon consumed and the frequency of consumption were not considered in these studies, which could influence stomach acidity.

Conclusion

In summary, contrary to popular beliefs, lemon may possess largely positive attributes, and its inclusion in our diet could be a beneficial choice. Nonetheless, it is crucial to consider these findings within the context of a well-rounded and balanced diet.

References

1. Al-Ghafari AB, Shorbaji AM, Al-Sarori LA, Baduwailan EO, Basaar AA, AlDoghaither HA, Al-Marzouki HF, Omar UM (2016) Phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of green tea with and without lemon. J Nat Sci 8:247–255
2. Pham-Huy, L. A., He, H., & Pham-Huy, C. (2008). Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. International journal of biomedical science: IJBS, 4(2), 89–96.
3. https://www.niams.nih.gov/healthtopics/psoriasis#:~:text=Scientists%20do%20not%20fully%20understand,subside%20or%20go%20into%20remission.
4. Nograles, K. E., Davidovici, B., & Krueger, J. G. (2010). New insights in the immunologic basis of psoriasis. Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery, 29(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sder.2010.03.001
5. Purdon, H.S. Lemons as a therapeutic agent (1897). The Dublin Journal of Medical Science 103, 114–115 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02968263.
6. Manchester, T.C. Effect of lemon juice on pepsin activity between ph 2.4 and 4, the range of achlorhydria. Jour. D. D. 11, 43–45 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03002266.
7. Yazawa I, Terao Y, Sai I, Hashimoto K, Sakuta M. [Gastric acid secretion and absorption of levodopa in patients with Parkinson’s disease–the effect of supplement therapy to gastric acid]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology. 1994 Mar;34(3):264-266. PMID: 8200147.
8. Panda, V., Shinde, P., Deora, J., & Gupta, P. (2017). A comparative study of the antacid effect of some commonly consumed foods for hyperacidity in an artificial stomach model. Complementary therapies in medicine, 34, 111–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.002.