Is diarrhea after drinking lemon water a sign of detoxification?
Feb 25, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Chao
Introduction
Diarrhea usually refers to loose or watery stools. Drinking lemon water and experiencing diarrhea is generally not a sign of detoxification, but rather may result from gastrointestinal irritation or infection by intestinal pathogens. Drinking moderate amounts typically does not cause digestive discomfort or the aforementioned symptoms. If diarrhea occurs, it may be due to consuming a large quantity at once or using unhygienically prepared lemon water, leading to acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Diarrhea usually refers to loose or watery stools. Drinking lemon water and experiencing diarrhea is generally not a sign of detoxification; it may instead result from gastrointestinal irritation or infection by intestinal pathogens.
Lemon is a common food known for benefits such as skin whitening and aiding digestion. Drinking moderate amounts typically does not cause gastrointestinal discomfort or the aforementioned symptoms. However, if diarrhea occurs, it might be due to consuming a large quantity of lemon water at once or using a high concentration of lemon, leading to irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa by citric acid. Alternatively, the lemon water might have been prepared unhygienically, containing intestinal pathogens such as Salmonella or Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which can trigger acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining.
Timely discontinuation of lemon water consumption, or taking anti-diarrheal medications—such as montmorillonite powder, diphenoxylate tablets, or trimebutine maleate tablets—as directed by a physician, may help alleviate symptoms.
