Can people with gastritis eat lemons?

Nov 15, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I saw the online trend of eating lemons raw is very popular, and I'd like to try it too. But I'm wondering, can someone with gastritis eat lemons?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Patients with gastritis should avoid eating lemons. Gastritis is an inflammatory condition of the stomach lining. Lemons are acidic and can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, worsening symptoms of gastritis—particularly in individuals with chronic gastritis. Moreover, lemons are high in vitamin C, which may further stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and increase the digestive burden. Therefore, it is not recommended for patients with gastritis to consume lemons. Instead, patients should eat easily digestible foods such as porridge, protein-rich foods, and vegetable soup to help alleviate symptoms of gastritis.