What Happens If You Drink a Shot of Lemon Juice Every Day?

November 23, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, one lemon can provide over 30 milligrams of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. If you drink a shot of lemon juice every day, you could potentially harness this antioxidant power, but it's crucial to understand the full picture of both the benefits and the significant risks involved.

Quick Summary

This guide details the effects of drinking a daily shot of lemon juice, from boosting immunity and aiding digestion to serious dental and digestive risks. It offers key takeaways on how to safely enjoy lemon's benefits while managing its potent acidity.

Key Points

Dental Damage: A daily shot of concentrated lemon juice can severely erode tooth enamel, leading to increased sensitivity, decay, and discoloration over time due to high citric acid content.
Digestive Issues: The high acidity can trigger or worsen heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach irritation, particularly for those with sensitive digestive systems.
Immune Boost: Lemons are rich in Vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports the immune system and helps the body fight infection.
Iron Absorption: Vitamin C and citric acid in lemon juice enhance the body's absorption of iron from plant-based foods, which helps prevent anemia.
Kidney Stone Prevention: The citric acid can help prevent kidney stones by increasing urine volume and pH, making it more difficult for stones to form.
Safe Consumption: To mitigate risks, experts recommend diluting lemon juice in water, using a straw, and rinsing the mouth afterward, rather than drinking it straight.
Avoid on Empty Stomach: Drinking concentrated lemon juice on an empty stomach can increase the risk of digestive distress and stomach irritation.

The Upside: Potential Health Benefits of Daily Lemon Juice

While drinking a straight shot of lemon juice is not a traditional practice, the compounds within lemon have been studied for their health effects. Many people dilute lemon juice in water to mitigate its harshness, but even in a concentrated shot, the primary benefits stem from its rich vitamin and antioxidant content.

Immune System Support

Lemons are a potent source of Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant essential for immune function. Regular, moderate intake of vitamin C can help protect against germs and may shorten the duration of the common cold in some individuals. A daily shot of lemon juice provides a significant portion of your recommended daily value of this key nutrient, helping to bolster your body's defenses against infection.

Enhanced Iron Absorption

Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, a condition marked by a lack of red blood cells. The Vitamin C and citric acid in lemon juice are known to improve the body's absorption of non-heme iron, the type found in plant-based foods like spinach and legumes. Adding a shot of lemon juice to meals rich in non-heme iron can help maximize its nutritional uptake.

Kidney Stone Prevention

Kidney stones are mineral deposits that form in the kidneys. The citric acid found in lemon juice has been shown to help prevent the formation of certain types of kidney stones. It does this by increasing urine volume and raising urine pH, creating a less favorable environment for stone formation. A half cup of lemon juice daily may offer enough citric acid to provide this benefit for those who are prone to kidney stones.

Digestive Health

Lemon juice can aid digestion by stimulating the production of digestive juices and bile. Some people find that drinking lemon juice helps to relieve bloating and kickstart their digestive system in the morning. However, the digestive benefits are often associated with diluted lemon juice rather than a concentrated shot, which can have the opposite effect for some.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Beyond Vitamin C, lemons contain flavonoids, which are plant compounds with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These antioxidants help protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals, which is linked to chronic inflammation and an increased risk of certain health conditions.

The Downside: Significant Risks of a Daily Shot

While the potential benefits are appealing, drinking a concentrated shot of highly acidic lemon juice every day comes with several notable risks. These side effects are often what lead health experts to recommend moderation and proper technique, such as diluting the juice.

Dental Erosion

The most significant risk of drinking concentrated lemon juice is the damage it can cause to your teeth. Citric acid is highly corrosive to tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth. Regular, direct exposure to high-acidity liquid can lead to enamel erosion, increasing the risk of tooth sensitivity, decay, and discoloration. Dental professionals often advise drinking acidic beverages through a straw and rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward to minimize contact.

Digestive Distress

For many individuals, especially those with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions, a concentrated shot of lemon juice can cause significant discomfort. The high acidity can irritate the stomach lining, potentially worsening symptoms of acid reflux, gastritis, or ulcers. Instead of soothing digestion, it can trigger heartburn, nausea, and bloating.

Other Potential Complications

Excessive vitamin C intake, though less common, can cause digestive upset such as diarrhea and cramps. Additionally, some studies suggest that the amino acid tyramine in lemons could trigger migraines in susceptible individuals. The concentrated acid can also aggravate existing mouth ulcers or sores, delaying the healing process.

Diluted vs. Concentrated: A Comparative Analysis

The method of consumption is crucial when it comes to experiencing the benefits of lemon while minimizing the risks. A side-by-side comparison highlights the differences.


Feature	Concentrated Lemon Juice Shot	Diluted Lemon Water
Dental Health	High risk of tooth enamel erosion due to direct, prolonged acid contact.	Lowers risk of erosion, especially when consumed with a straw and followed by a rinse.
Digestive Impact	Can cause heartburn, bloating, and irritation for sensitive stomachs and those with GERD.	Generally milder on the digestive system; may help stimulate digestion for some individuals.
Vitamin C Content	Provides a potent, concentrated dose of Vitamin C in a single go.	Delivers a less intense, but still significant, amount of Vitamin C, spread out over consumption.
Hydration	Does not provide significant hydration on its own.	Encourages overall fluid intake, which is essential for general health.
Convenience	Quick and easy, but unpleasant taste for many.	Requires mixing and preparation, but is more palatable.

How to Enjoy Lemon Safely

If you want to incorporate lemon into your daily routine, a concentrated shot is not the safest or most effective way. Here are some safer methods:

Lemon Water: Squeeze a half lemon into a glass of water. This dilutes the acid, making it much safer for your teeth and stomach. Drink it with a straw for added protection and rinse your mouth with plain water afterward.
Salad Dressing: Use fresh lemon juice as a key ingredient in homemade salad dressings. This allows you to get the vitamins and flavor without concentrated acid exposure.
Flavoring Agent: Add a splash of lemon juice to marinades, teas, or other dishes to enjoy the taste and nutrients as part of a balanced meal.

Conclusion

While the idea of a simple, daily shot of lemon juice for health benefits is tempting, the reality is far more complex. The potent citric acid can cause significant damage to tooth enamel and may trigger or worsen serious digestive issues for many people. While lemons are indeed rich in beneficial nutrients like Vitamin C and flavonoids, these advantages are better and more safely achieved through moderate, diluted consumption, such as in lemon water or as part of a meal. Adopting a cautious and mindful approach is essential to reap the rewards of this popular citrus fruit without experiencing its severe drawbacks.

NIH.gov - Vitamin C Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

While the Vitamin C in lemon juice promotes collagen production and offers antioxidant benefits for the skin, drinking a concentrated shot daily is not recommended. The potential damage to tooth enamel and digestive system outweighs the skin benefits, which can be achieved more safely through diluted lemon water or a balanced diet.

There is no strong scientific evidence that a daily shot of lemon juice directly causes significant weight loss. While it contains pectin fiber that can promote feelings of fullness when eating the whole fruit, this fiber is absent in the juice. Weight management is more effectively addressed through overall diet, exercise, and hydration.

For many people, drinking a concentrated shot of lemon juice on an empty stomach is not safe and can cause severe digestive irritation. The high acidity can worsen symptoms for those with acid reflux, gastritis, or ulcers. It is safer to consume lemon juice diluted with water after a meal.

The concept of 'detoxing' your body with specific foods is largely a myth. Your body, specifically your liver and kidneys, is equipped to naturally remove waste and toxins. While lemon juice can support liver function and hydration, it does not act as a magical detoxifying agent.

The high citric acid content in pure lemon juice can cause significant dental enamel erosion, increasing the risk of tooth decay, sensitivity, and discoloration. Drinking it through a straw and rinsing your mouth with plain water immediately afterward are critical precautions to minimize damage.

While lemons are a great source of Vitamin C, many citrus fruits offer comparable or higher amounts. Fresh orange juice often contains slightly more Vitamin C per serving than fresh lemon juice. However, both are excellent sources of the vitamin.

The best way to consume lemon juice for health benefits is moderately and diluted. Mixing the juice of half a lemon with a glass of water is a popular and safer option that provides Vitamin C, supports hydration, and aids digestion without the extreme acidity of a concentrated shot.