Why Does Lemonade Make My Stomach Hurt? Find Out Here!

Lemonade is a sweet, tangy, refreshing drink consumed for generations. Its essential yet tasty ingredients—freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and sugar—make it the ideal summertime thirst quencher.

You must be curious if lemonade has so many pros; why does lemonade make my stomach hurt? 

Well, the juice’s citric acid is the primary troublemaker. The stomach and digestive tract may become irritated by citric acid. The esophagus is not designed to stand firm against the additional acid produced by citric acid in lemon, which can result in acid reflux. This discomfort can lead to stomach aches, nausea, and other digestive issues. 

Note: (A muscular tube connecting your mouth to your stomach to transport food and beverages) 

You can add a bit of salt to your lemonade to reduce acidity. Add 8 ounces of water with one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to reduce acidity. Drinking lemonade after 20-30 minutes of a meal is considered healthier. 

What Causes Stomach Pain from Drinking Lemonade?

This popular treat can create stomach aches due to a few reasons. Being slightly mindful of these causes can help you avoid stomach pain after drinking lemonade.

It’s necessary to remember that citric acid, a component in lemonade, might cause stomach aches. Too much of this acid can adversely affect our stomachs, resulting in stomachaches and other gastrointestinal issues.

Another reason can be you are allergic to lemonade. This allergic reaction from drinking lemonade may cause discomfort or pain in your stomach.

Moreover, if you drink lemonade on an empty stomach, it can form gas and lead to stomach ache.

Source: https://youtu.be/ryol9sVk704

How Healthy Is Lemonade?

Due to its high concentration of micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, lemonade is beneficial to health. It is abundant in vitamin C, which can boost your immunity and aid in the prevention of sickness. Lemons are excellent for keeping you hydrated, particularly in the summer when you sweat a lot.

Is It Ok to Drink Lemonade Every Day?

Yes, it is ok to drink lemonade every day but in moderation. Lemons are excellent for keeping you hydrated, particularly in the summer when you sweat a lot. Too much sugary lemonade could lead to weight gain, potential chronic diseases, and poor dental health. In moderation, though, the benefits of a healthy homemade lemonade low in sugars outweigh the negatives. 

How Much Lemonade Should We Drink Each Day?

The daily intake of lemon water is entirely up to your nutritional requirements. A wonderful lemonade made with honey, lemon, and water will help you feel better. Consuming two to three lemons worth of juice (about four to six teaspoons) is advised throughout the day. 

That being said, doctors recommend that an average male drink 3.7 L of water daily and an average female drink 2.7 L. Some individuals may need help to reach this recommendation. Adding lemon juice to water can be a tastier option to help you achieve your water and vitamin C needs. 

Potential Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Lemonade

Too much lemonade consumption can harm your health. It is best to consult your dietitian about your lemonade intake if you have any health concerns. Here, I’m highlighting some concerning health problems brought on by excessive lemonade consumption.

1. Might Cause Damage to Teeth

There have been instances of teeth deterioration in those who consume a lot of lemon juice. If you drink too much lemon juice too frequently, its natural acids might damage tooth enamel.

2. Allergic Reaction

You can get lemon allergies if you have allergies to grass pollen or citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, or limes. Itching, burning, or tongue and throat swelling are the most frequent effects. Some lemonade drinkers may experience stomach distress or headaches.

3. Can Trigger Migraine

Lemonade has a good reputation as a refreshing drink. But as per WebMD, it has a component called tyramine which can trigger migraine.

4. Spikes Blood Sugar

Store-bought lemonade is packed with sugar. These may increase your blood sugar level. A good substitute for store-bought sugary lemonade is homemade lemonade with honey.

Positive Effects of Lemonade on Health

Lemons contain a lot of vitamin C and other healthy elements. These minerals have numerous health advantages. Lemons may help with digestion, weight management, and kidney function. Here are five scientifically proven health advantages of lemons.

• Helpful in Preventing Kidney Stones

Greater Boston Urology published a report and stated by increasing the citrate levels in the urine, lemon juice has been demonstrated to help avoid kidney stones. Citrate aids in both the reduction of existing stones’ size as well as the prevention of new stones from forming. You can prevent kidney stones by including three ounces of lemon juice daily. Especially the most frequent stones, calcium oxalate stones, can be quickly prevented with lemon intake.

• May Help Fight Cancer

Lemons may have anticancer properties. According to one NIH study, the chemical composition of lemons can aid in preventing oral tumor formation. Others have connected Citrus fruits and their juices to anticancer effects. Citrus fruit peel compounds have even been linked to potential anticancer properties.

• Good for Sore Throat

UPMC stated a well-liked home treatment for sore throats is warm water with honey and lemon. In the colder months, the mixture might help soothe a sore throat. Lemons’ vitamin C can aid in the endeavor.

• Plays a Role in Weight Loss

Your metabolism can be boosted by drinking lemon water, which contains both lemon and water. Drinking glasses of chilly lemon water throughout the day may speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight since drinking cooler water requires your body to use more energy to heat it.

• Lightens Skin Tone

UPMC says, like many acne medicines, lemons have naturally occurring antibacterial properties and alpha hydroxyl acids. They can exfoliate, brighten, and aid in clearing blackheads. Lemons’ vitamin C also encourages the creation of collagen, giving your skin another boost. It prevents the skin’s melanin production, which helps to reduce brown spots and hyperpigmentation, even out skin tone, and improves skin brightness.

Which Lemonade Is The Healthiest?

Lemonade without sugar may be a better option for you than traditional lemonade. Lemonade made at home without sugar is better for you than carbonated lemonade.  The ideal choice is always unsweetened lemonade, which helps you keep the vitamin C and antioxidants while reducing the adverse effects of too much sugar.

Let’s Make Healthy Lemonade

There are many ways to make lemonade, from traditional to contemporary variations, including adding fruits or herbs like mint, strawberries, or lavender for a distinctive flavor.

Lemonades are packed with sugar. On the other hand, this recipe brings honey into the scenario. Honey is an excellent replacement for sugars and has many health benefits.

Ingredients:

• Four lemons
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 cups cold water
• Lemon wedges and ice for serving

Let’s Squeeze Some Lemon:

• Step 1: Squeeze some lemons to get the juice.
• Step 2: Pour the lemon juice into a blender with honey.
• Step 3: Blend the lemon juice and honey mixture until the texture becomes smooth.
• Step 4: Take a jug and put water in it. Then pour the lemon and honey mixture into the water. Stir it to mix it well.
• Step 5: Add ice cubes to serve it chilled on a summer day. Garnish the drink with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Chart of Lemonade

Knowing the nutritional information in lemonade can guide your diet and encourage you to enjoy this delightful beverage in moderation. I’ll review Lemonade’s nutrition chart given by USDA in this response, including its calorie, sugar, and other essential nutrient content.

Nutrition Details of 100 ml Lemonade According to USDA:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Why Does Lemonade Make My Heart Burn?

Citrus fruits have a high acid content, which causes heartburn symptoms. Richard Gardner, a gastroenterologist at MIT Medical, says, “Lemon juice is definitely acidic and usually results in heartburn if one already has irritation from acid reflux,” 

• Why Does Lemonade Cause Diarrhea?

If lemonade is consumed in moderation and is not polluted, it won’t cause diarrhea. Ensure the lemonade is made with clean drinking water. Make sure any fruit or juice added is toxins-free. Be cautious of the sugar in your beverage, as consuming too much sugar can cause an upset stomach. Lemonade-related diarrhea may have several causes, so it’s vital to be aware of them and take the appropriate precautions to prevent it.

• Is Lemonade Ok for an Upset Stomach?

Lemonade’s antibacterial qualities may be helpful if pathogenic microbes are the cause of your diarrhea. However, you should stop drinking lemonade if your diarrhea is brought on by consuming too much sugar or is a response to the lemonade diet. If you are experiencing excessive diarrhea, kindly schedule a visit with a doctor.

(According to NIH, ‘A pathogenic organism is an organism which is capable of causing diseases in a host.’) 

• Is Lemonade Better than Carbonated Drinks?

Homemade sugar-free lemonade has a slight chance to be better than carbonated beverages. Classic lemonade does not necessarily have fewer calories than an equivalent serving of a standard carbonated soft drink, states American Institute for Cancer Research.

• What Should I Eat If My Stomach Hurts?

The letters “BRAT” stand for toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce. Since these bland foods are easy on the stomach, they can stop future stomach trouble.

Bottom Line

When life gives you lemonade, do not overdrink it. Know when to stop because lemonade may cause gastrointestinal pain sometimes. Lemonade can irritate the lining of the stomach and result in discomforts like bloating, cramping, or heartburn when eaten in excess or on an empty stomach. It’s critical to remember that additional elements, such as medical disorders, drugs, or food intolerances, may also be to blame for stomach pain following lemonade consumption. When such questions arise, why does lemonade make my stomach hurt? Consult a medical practitioner.