X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Money Tips
    • Savings
    • Insurance
    • Loans
    • Investments
    • Government Benefits
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

The reason why you should never ask for a slice of lemon in your drink

3 min read
The reason why you should never ask for a slice of lemon in your drink

“Restaurant patrons should be aware that lemon slices added to beverages may include potentially pathogenic microbes.”

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that drinking water is great for the body. It boosts the metabolism, flushes out toxins, and hydrates the body—among other things.

In fact many health experts recommend drinking eight glasses of water every day—about 2 liters or half a gallon—in order to stay healthy and hydrated.

Despite this the popular advise, however, not many people enjoy drinking water, or even have the energy to do it, because quite simply, water tastes bland.

So in an effort to make water more appealing to the palate, many put slices of lemon and other fruits into their water—a popular method used for cleanses and detox.

But according to one study, actually putting lemon in your water can actually undo the benefits of drinking water. Why? It’s because fruits are a notorious carrier of bacteria.

In a 2007 study published in Journal of Environmental Health, researchers swabbed lemon slices from 21 different restaurants and found that 70% of the samples had microbial growth, including 25 different microbial species.

The study said:

“The microbes found on the lemon samples in our investigation all have the potential to cause infectious diseases at various body sites, although the likelihood was not determined in this study. “Restaurant patrons should be aware that lemon slices added to beverages may include potentially pathogenic microbes.”

In a Yahoo! report, clinical professor of microbiology and pathology at New York University School of Medicine Philip Tierno said that this is because most often than not, lemons aren’t being handled properly.

“People are touching the lemon in your glass, handling it, cutting it, placing it in a container or a cup, or a glass; and then picking up those slices at a later point in time and dropping them into a drink and putting them on the rim of a glass.

“You can easily see how those lemon slices and lemon wedges can be contaminated.”

Dr. Tierno doesn’t want you to stop putting lemon slices in your drink, but he does advise to make sure you clean the fruit thoroughly before cutting it.

Particularly because the bacteria can linger on the fruit’s skin.

It’s also important to note that when you’re at a restaurant, it’s best if you ask for your water sans the lemon.

READ: Most households handle raw chicken the wrong way

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below or check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful parenting news and tips . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
What’s your cough treatment for that #PigilHiningaMoment?
What’s your cough treatment for that #PigilHiningaMoment?
Alagang Unilab: Healthier Ph Opens Dialogue on Steam Inhalation as a Health Treatment
Alagang Unilab: Healthier Ph Opens Dialogue on Steam Inhalation as a Health Treatment
Gut Health: How to keep your child’s digestive tract healthy with Erceflora Kiddie
Gut Health: How to keep your child’s digestive tract healthy with Erceflora Kiddie
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children
A mom’s responsibility: Getting vaccinated for her children

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • The reason why you should never ask for a slice of lemon in your drink
Share:
  • Don’t Overlook This! Poop on the Tip of the Penis Can Lead to Urinary Tract Infections and Hidden Risk of Kidney Failure in Boys

    Don’t Overlook This! Poop on the Tip of the Penis Can Lead to Urinary Tract Infections and Hidden Risk of Kidney Failure in Boys

  • Why Young Children Shouldn't Take Decongestants: Side Effects Every Parent Should Know!

    Why Young Children Shouldn't Take Decongestants: Side Effects Every Parent Should Know!

  • How to Raise a Child Without Depression: 10 Tips to Build Emotional Immunity for Your Child

    How to Raise a Child Without Depression: 10 Tips to Build Emotional Immunity for Your Child

  • Don’t Overlook This! Poop on the Tip of the Penis Can Lead to Urinary Tract Infections and Hidden Risk of Kidney Failure in Boys

    Don’t Overlook This! Poop on the Tip of the Penis Can Lead to Urinary Tract Infections and Hidden Risk of Kidney Failure in Boys

  • Why Young Children Shouldn't Take Decongestants: Side Effects Every Parent Should Know!

    Why Young Children Shouldn't Take Decongestants: Side Effects Every Parent Should Know!

  • How to Raise a Child Without Depression: 10 Tips to Build Emotional Immunity for Your Child

    How to Raise a Child Without Depression: 10 Tips to Build Emotional Immunity for Your Child

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Money Tips
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Lifestyle Section
  • FAMILY & HOME
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it