The Hidden Dangers of Squeezing Lemon Juice On Hot Food
Squeezing lemon juice on your food before eating may seem like a harmless addition to your meal, but you might be surprised to learn that it can lead to numerous health problems over time. There are even scientific studies that indicate that consuming citrus fruits or their juices has been linked to arthritis, heartburn, nausea, and indigestion! In this article, we’ll explore these dangers in more detail and reveal why squeezing lemon juice on hot food should be avoided at all costs.
Introduction
While there are many rumors about the dangers of squeezing lemon juice on hot food, it's hard to know what to believe. A recent survey by Business Insider uncovered some truths about this popular cooking hack.
In a startling statistic that you might find surprising, 23% of people surveyed admitted to doing this in the past 12 months. Of those people, 27% reported that they would squeeze lemon juice on a meal before tasting it, while another 20% would first use a condiment like ketchup before adding lemon juice. But is this safe?
Lemon juice contains very high levels of citric acid which can lead to corrosive damage to the mouth and esophagus when consumed in large quantities or after prolonged exposure.
Part 1: Health Benefits
While many people assume that adding lemon juice to their food is good for the body, it turns out there are plenty of reasons to rethink this habit. Experts warn that squeezing lemon juice on hot food can harm the human body. Lemons naturally contain citric acid, which is acidic and can leave marks on your teeth and make your stomach more acidic than usual. Studies show that lemons also lower iron levels in the body.
In addition, citric acid can result in heartburn when consumed as a drink because it stays in the digestive system for too long. An upset stomach or heartburn may make it harder to sleep or concentrate when you need the energy to go about your day-to-day activities or complete assignments at work. Furthermore, citric acid can slow down digestion by irritating your esophagus. Some individuals even experience reflux or other conditions like heartburn from consuming citrus fruit.
It's important to note that not all types of citrus fruit produce such adverse effects; limes and grapefruits are less acidic than oranges and lemons.
Part 2: Acid Burns
In chemistry, the pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is on a scale from 0-14. It is possible to develop acid burns when any chemical—such as lemon juice or vinegar—breaks down cells in the mouth. Although acid burns are more common in children, some adults have been reported to have them from eating hot food and then adding a large amount of lemon juice. This combination may decrease stomach acid production, which can lead to indigestion and other issues. In extreme cases, it can even cause burning ulcers on the esophagus and esophageal cancer if not treated early enough.
The Risk Factors According to Stanford University Medical Center, there are three main risk factors for getting an acid burn: (1) intake of alcohol or aspirin before ingesting anything; (2) ingestion of high levels of stomach acids or bile acids that cause cell destruction; and (3) having no protective layer over the mouth, throat, or esophagus. Drinking soda with lemons does not create this risk factor because carbonated water protects against gastric acidity by neutralizing it with its high level of carbon dioxide. It is important to be aware that drinking pure water after eating also has risks as one could experience an extremely severe bout of diarrhea.
Part 3: Tooth Enamel Damage
Lemon juice is highly acidic, with a pH level of between 2.5 and 3.5, which makes it a good method for cleaning surfaces like stainless steel sinks, but lemon juice is not intended to be consumed. Research has found that the citric acid in lemon juice will slowly start to erode tooth enamel if it is applied after consuming foods or drinks that are at a high pH level. But if you must squeeze lemon on your food, wait at least an hour before doing so as this gives your teeth some time to return to their normal pH levels first and ensures minimal damage to your tooth enamel in the process.
Conclusion
While many people find that squeezing lemon juice on their hot food provides a delicious and refreshing burst of flavor, there are some drawbacks to doing so. According to ABC News, lemon juice is a strong acid and the heat will cause it to react with the hot food. This creates hydrogen gas which may have negative health effects on your stomach.
For those who are still hesitant about forgoing lemon juice for fear of ruining the flavor or experience, one other option is to pour some cold water over your dish after adding the lemon juice. This way you get the burst from the citrus fruit without risking any potential side effects from the reaction mentioned above.
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