Lemon honey water is a popular beverage that is rich in nutrition and easy to make. However, the taste of lemon is extremely sour, which may cause concern for people with poor stomachs. So, does lemon honey water stimulate the stomach?
Does Lemon Honey Water Stimulate the Stomach?
It does have some stimulating effects.
Lemon honey water is a beverage made primarily from honey and lemon. It has the effects of whitening and moisturizing the skin, quenching thirst, detoxifying and promoting bowel movements. Lemon contains a large amount of acidic substances. If it is consumed in excess or by inappropriate individuals, it may cause certain irritation to the intestines and stomach.
Can I Drink Lemon Honey Water if My Stomach Feels Uncomfortable?
You can drink it in moderation, but it is not suitable for all patients with stomach diseases.
Honey has a sweet taste and a neutral nature. It has the effects of invigorating the spleen, nourishing the stomach, moisturizing the intestines, and promoting bowel movements. It can partially neutralize the acidity of lemon and reduce the irritation of acidic substances in lemon to the intestines and stomach. Therefore, in general, people with stomach discomfort can drink lemon honey water in moderation. However, it is important to note that patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers should not take it. These patients have a higher sensitivity to external stimuli, and drinking lemon honey water may irritate the ulcers, causing stomach pain or even ulcer rupture.
How to Reduce the Stomach Irritation of Lemon Honey Water
1. Use Less Lemon
The main reason why lemon honey water irritates the stomach is because lemon contains a large amount of acidic substances. In order to reduce the irritation to the intestines and stomach, you can use less lemon. For example, in a glass of lemon honey water, only put a thin slice of lemon.
2. Dilute the Taste
In order to reduce the irritation of lemon honey water to the intestines and stomach, it is recommended to add more water when brewing, so as to neutralize the acidity of lemon.
3. Drink After Eating Staple Food
In general, lemon honey water has a stronger irritation to the intestines and stomach on an empty stomach than when the stomach is full. Therefore, in order to reduce the irritation of lemon honey water to the intestines and stomach, you can eat some staple food before drinking.
What Should Be Noticed When Drinking Lemon Honey Water
1. Pay Attention to the Quantity
When brewing lemon honey water, do not put too much lemon. It is generally recommended to put 1-3 slices in a glass. Lemon is highly acidic, and excessive consumption may irritate the intestines and stomach, causing discomfort.
2. Avoid Eating with Seafood
Seafood contains rich proteins and calcium, while lemon is rich in citric acid. Eating them together can cause protein coagulation and the formation of indigestible substances when citric acid combines with calcium, reducing the nutritional value and even causing discomfort to the intestines and stomach. Therefore, when drinking lemon honey water, avoid taking it with shrimp, crab, sea cucumber and other seafood at the same time.
3. Avoid Eating with Carrots
Lemon is rich in vitamin C, while carrots contain ascorbic acid enzyme. Eating them together can destroy the vitamin C in lemon. Therefore, lemon honey water should not be taken with carrots at the same time.
4. Avoid During Menstruation
Because lemon contains a large amount of acidic substances, excessive consumption of lemon honey water during menstruation may cause poor blood discharge and discomfort such as abdominal pain.
5. Avoid Using Water with High Temperature When Brewing
Brewing lemon honey water with water at a high temperature will destroy the nutrients in lemon, including vitamin C, and the nutrients in honey will also be lost. The taste will also become sour. Therefore, it is generally recommended to brew lemon honey water at a temperature below 60 degrees.
Who Should Not Drink Lemon Honey Water
1. Patients with Diabetes
Because honey contains a large amount of fructose, which can be absorbed by the body without the need for enzymes, drinking lemon honey water is not conducive to blood sugar control for patients with diabetes. It may cause an increase in blood sugar levels, leading to discomfort such as dizziness, headache, and blurred vision.
2. People with Allergies
Most people can consume lemon honey water, but some people with allergies may have allergic reactions to lemon or honey, such as rash, itching, and diarrhea. If you are unsure if you are allergic, it is recommended to drink a small amount of lemon honey water first and observe any discomfort. If there are no adverse reactions, you can continue to consume it.
