Next, Dr. Dennis Sifris, who works in the US and South Africa, will explain what happens to your kidneys when you drink lemon water every day.
He said: Lemon juice contains very little potassium, less than 15 mg per 240 ml glass, and the citrate in lemons may help prevent kidney stones.
Lemon water is a kidney-friendly option.
Illustration: PH created from AI
Preventing kidney stones
Lemon juice is one of the food sources high in citrate, which helps inhibit kidney stone formation by binding to calcium in urine, preventing the formation of calcium oxalate crystals; it also slightly increases urine pH, creating an unfavorable environment for kidney stone formation.
A 2021 study involving 203 participants with a history of kidney stones showed that drinking lemon water twice daily reduced the risk of recurrence by 38%, according to the health news site Verywell Health.
Add water
Drinking enough water is crucial for kidney health. Water dilutes urine, reduces the concentration of waste products, and helps the kidneys function more efficiently. Lemon water is a delicious way to stay hydrated.
Provides vitamin C
The juice of half a lemon provides about 10 mg of vitamin C. This amount is within safe limits.
Is lemon water safe for people with kidney disease?
According to Dr. Dennis, lemon water is safe for all stages of chronic kidney disease. A glass of water squeezed from half a lemon adds only about 13 mg of potassium, while adding almost no phosphorus or sodium.
Lemon water and the stages of kidney disease
- Phases 1-2: Safe and recommended.
- Phase 3: Still safe.
- Phase 4: Nutritional safety. However, total fluid intake should be limited to 1.5-2 liters per day, including lemon water.
- Stage 5 - Dialysis: Lemon water is still safe, but fluid intake is a concern. Dialysis patients are typically limited to 1-1.5 liters of fluid per day, including lemon water.
Points to note
Lemon water is a kidney-friendly option, providing citrate while being virtually sodium-free and containing only about 13 mg of potassium per glass with half a lemon. According to Dr. Dennis, it's one of the best choices for kidney health.
The most important point is that lemon water is safe for people with kidney disease at all stages of chronic kidney disease; however, those undergoing dialysis need to adhere to fluid restrictions as directed by their doctor.
However, you shouldn't add sugar to lemonade and drink it through a straw to reduce the acid's contact with tooth enamel.