Short Answer: Lemon is bad for acid reflux. Because it has citric acid and it can weaken the LES and increase the stomach acidity.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus.
In acid reflux, your body produces too much stomach acid, which flows up into your esophagus.
This can cause inflammation and irritation in the esophageal lining.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, regurgitation, nausea, and esophageal cancer.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscle that prevents stomach acid from going back up.
This can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume alkaline foods like bananas, oatmeal, and ginger, and avoid acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and chocolate.
Now, lemon is a citrus fruit that has a sour taste and a high vitamin C content.
People usually squeeze lemon juice into water and drink it as a refreshing beverage or a detox drink.
Lemon is bad for acid reflux because it contains citric acid, which is a trigger for acid reflux.
Citric acid can relax the LES and increase the acidity of the stomach.
This can worsen the symptoms of acid reflux and cause more damage to the esophagus.
Lemon is bad for all types of acid reflux, whether it is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux).
One lemon can give you about 31% of your daily vitamin C needs, but also about 5% of your daily citric acid intake.
Citric acid can negatively affect acid reflux by weakening the LES and increasing the stomach acidity.
This can cause more acid to flow back into the esophagus and irritate the lining.
Furthermore, lemon is a acidic food and acidic foods are bad for acid reflux.
Because, they can lower the pH of the stomach and make it more corrosive.
This can increase the risk of ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and esophagus.
That’s why I suggest you limit your lemon intake to avoid worsening your acid reflux.
Stick to no more than one lemon per day to minimize the negative effects of citric acid.
Also, you shouldn’t drink lemon water on an empty stomach or before a meal, as this can trigger acid reflux.
Because, it can stimulate the production of more stomach acid and reduce the effectiveness of the LES.
You can buy fresh lemons in your local market or can order them from online.
Always choose organic lemons that are firm, bright, and heavy.
Because, they have more juice and less pesticides.
You can store them in a cool and dry place for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing acid reflux effectively.
I always recommend my acid reflux patients to follow a acid reflux-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.