Short Answer: Lemon is bad for acid reflux. Because it has citric acid and it can increase the acidity of your stomach and weaken your lower esophageal sphincter.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, and esophageal cancer.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that prevents stomach acid from entering your esophagus, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume foods rich in fiber, antioxidants, and alkaline minerals, like oatmeal, ginger, and bananas, and avoid foods rich in fat, spice, and acid, like fried foods, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
Now, lemon is a citrus fruit that has a sour taste and a high amount of vitamin C.
People usually drink lemon juice diluted with water or use it as a flavoring agent in dishes and beverages.
Lemon is bad for acid reflux because it contains citric acid, a weak organic acid that can worsen the symptoms of acid reflux.
Citric acid can lower the pH of your stomach, making it more acidic and irritating your esophagus.
It can also weaken your LES, allowing more acid to reflux into your esophagus.
One medium lemon can give you 30.7 mg of vitamin C (34% of your daily needs), 2.8 g of fiber (10% of your daily needs), and 80 mg of potassium (2% of your daily needs).
Citric acid can negatively affect acid reflux by increasing the acidity of your stomach and weakening your LES.
Vitamin C can positively affect acid reflux by boosting your immune system and protecting your esophagus from damage.
Fiber can positively affect acid reflux by improving your digestion and preventing constipation.
Potassium can positively affect acid reflux by regulating your fluid balance and blood pressure.
Furthermore, lemon is a fruit and fruits are generally good for acid reflux.
Because, fruits contain natural sugars, water, and antioxidants that can help hydrate, nourish, and heal your body.
However, you should limit your lemon intake to avoid the negative effects of citric acid.
Stick to one or two slices of lemon per day or use a straw to drink lemon water to minimize the contact with your teeth and esophagus.
Also, you shouldn’t drink lemon water if you have ulcers, gastritis, or Barrett’s esophagus to prevent further irritation and inflammation.
Because, lemon water can aggravate these conditions and cause more pain and bleeding.
You can buy fresh lemons in your local market or order them online.
Always choose lemons that are firm, bright, and heavy for their size.
Because, these lemons are more juicy, ripe, and flavorful.
You can store them in a cool, dry place for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
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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 an acid reflux-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
