Is It Safe To Drink Lime Juice During Pregnancy?

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Lime juice may have several health benefits when consumed regularly. However, many women may be curious about the safety of consuming lime juice during pregnancy. It is often considered good for health and does not risk pregnant women. However, since every woman is different, it is important to consult a doctor before consuming it. Moreover, excess consumption of lime juice may have adverse health effects such as causing oral health issues, acidity, or heartburn. Read the post to get complete information on the nutritional value of lime juice, its benefits, and its side effects during pregnancy.

In This Article

Is It Safe To Drink Lime Juice During Pregnancy?

Consult a doctor before drinking lime juice during pregnancy.

Image: Shutterstock

Most medical experts will say that drinking lemon juice during pregnancy is safe (1). However, every pregnancy is unique, and your body may respond differently to the change. Therefore, it is always important to check with your doctor before you add anything to your maternal nutrition.

Quick fact

Lemon juice, in moderation, keeps you hydrated and may help with indigestion and constipation (1).

Nutritional Value Of Lime Juice

A cup of undiluted lemon juice contains approximately 0.7 grams of dietary fiber, 6.2 grams of sugar, 0.9 grams of protein, 54 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrates and 0.6 grams of fat. It is a rich source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium, all of which are essential while you are pregnant. Lemon juice also contains minerals like iron, zinc, thiamin, phosphorus riboflavinⁱA type of water-soluble vitamin B found in foods like eggs, milk, nuts, and green vegetables and pantothenic acidⁱAlso known as vitamin B5, an essential nutrient found in meat, vegetables, cereals, eggs, and milk and electrolytes such as calcium and magnesium. It also has vitamins A, B6 and E (2).

According to Mya Bellinger, a qualified medical practitioner specializing in internal medicine, immunology, and gynecology, “Potassium in the lime juice may help in the formation of strong bones as well as promote healthy brain development in the unborn child.”

Be aware of these points before you have lemon juice in your pregnancy:

1. Can cause acidity, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal issues

Consuming excess lemon juice may cause heartburn.

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Lemon is a citrus fruit and consuming too much lemon juice can cause problems like acidity and heartburn. It can also lead to gastrointestinal issues like stomachaches, diarrhea or indigestion in the later stage of your pregnancy.

Gynecologist & obstetrician Dr. Nisarg Patel advises, “Lemon juice is very acidic and can cause some side effects when consumed in excess. Therefore, it is advisable to restrict your lime water consumption to one glass per day, preferably in the morning.”

Stop drinking lemon juice the moment you experience discomfort. If the symptoms do not go away, speak to your obstetric specialist about it (1).

2. Problems in oral health

Lemon juice contains citric acid and excessive intake of it when you are pregnant can dent your teeth’s enameli. Try and mix it with water and use a straw to sip it to minimize the erosion of your teeth enamel. Your risk of getting gingivitisi also increases when you are pregnant (1). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that nearly 60-75% of pregnant women suffer from gingivitis.

3. Increases risk of foodborne illnesses

Drinking unpasteurized lemon juice causes gastrointestinal infection.

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The safest way to have lemon juice, when you are pregnant, is to make it fresh at home. Always wash the lemon and ensure the utensils and appliances are clean. Your immunity levels are at an all-time low when you are pregnant. Drinking unpasteurized lemon juice can increase the risk of contracting bacteria like E-coliⁱA type of harmless bacteria usually found in the intestines of humans and animals or salmonellaⁱA bacteria that usually affects the intestines and is caused by contaminated food and water . These bacteria can attack your gastrointestinal tract and affect your digestion. A foodborne illness is dangerous as it can harm your unborn baby as well as you. Maintaining hygiene in your kitchen can help you keep gastrointestinal infections at bay during pregnancy.

Benefits Of Lemon Juice In Pregnancy

Drinking lemon juice with warm water relieves swollen feet.

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Lemon is high in Vitamin C, a vital prenatal vitamin that enhances immune system functioning. Apart from its use in hydration, drinking lemon juice during your pregnancy can have the following benefits for both you and your baby:

Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water can help prevent or reduce the swelling in your feet when you are pregnant. You can also drink a mix of lemon juice and bitter gourd juice. It is good for preventing and reducing the problem of swelling in feet that is common during pregnancy. Mya Bellinger adds, “The high antioxidants and vitamin C content in lime juice have anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce swelling.” High blood pressure is often a common problem during pregnancy. Mix the juice of half a lime and two tablespoons of tartar cream. Drinking it will help keep your blood pressure levels in check (1).

Quick tip

Sipping warm lemon water with honey (pasteurized) and ginger may soothe symptoms of cold during pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does lime juice affect the womb?

A study in mice noted that lime juice might affect the amount of ova shed, reducing fertility (3). However, there are no studies on humans. In general, drinking a moderate amount of lime juice is unlikely to affect your womb or fertility.

2. Is lime good for pregnancy nausea?

Yes. Lime is a citrus fruit that can help ease nausea or morning sickness in pregnant women (4). Sarah Alway, who experienced severe morning sickness during her pregnancy, shares her personal experience. She says, “I had a hard time drinking water during the first trimester. I could only swallow little sips at a time, or else I’d puke immediately, and sometimes, even the drops I did manage to get down would make me barf. However, adding a squeeze of lemon to my water somehow made it easier to get down. I’d do this at work pretty much every day (i).” Consult your healthcare provider before integrating this home remedy into your pregnancy routine.

3. Does craving lime during pregnancy indicate a boy or a girl?

Craving lime during pregnancy may indicate vitamin C deficiency and has nothing to do with the baby’s gender (5).

4. Can lime affect early pregnancy?

Being a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C, lime juice can safely be given to a pregnant woman during early pregnancy.

5. Is lime a contraceptive?

Gynecologist & obstetrician Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, says, “High levels of acid in lime may function as a natural spermicide. It was utilized in ancient times. However, it should not be relied upon as a contraceptive since there is no supporting evidence.”

6. Can lime wash out sperm?

According to Dr. Michael Green, a board-certified gynecologist & obstetrician from Lake Arrowhead, “Lime is acidic, creating an inhospitable environment for sperm, but it does not have a significant effect on sperm entering the female reproductive system.”

Lime juice offers several nutrients, such as vitamin C, potassium, folateⁱAlso known as vitamin B-9, it is used as a dietary supplement and is essential for the formation of red blood cells , and zinc. Drinking lime juice during pregnancy is safe and may offer health benefits such as reduced swelling in the feet and blood pressure regulation. However, since every woman’s body is different, she may react to foods differently. Therefore, some women may experience acidity, heartburn, and oral health issues. Further, drinking unpasteurized lemon juice can put you at risk of contracting E.coli and salmonella infections. Hence, if you experience any discomfort after drinking lime juice, contact a doctor for the best advice.

Infographic: Amazing Benefits Of Lime Juice In Pregnancy And Side Effects

Consuming lime juice in moderation during pregnancy has many health benefits. However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of having lime juice too. The infographic below takes you through both pros and cons of having lime juice when pregnant.

benefits and side effects of lime juice in pregnancy (infographic)

Key Pointers

Lime juice is generally safe for pregnant women, but consulting with a doctor is necessary to prevent unwanted reactions.
Drinking warm water mixed with lime juice can alleviate nausea, high blood pressure, and swelling in feet during pregnancy.
Overconsumption of lime juice can cause acidity, heartburn, oral health problems, and gastrointestinal issues.
It is safest to consume lime juice by preparing fresh juice at home.

Lime Juice During Pregnancy_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. Surviving morning sickness.
https://sarahandstewart.blogspot.com/2013/11/surviving-morning-sickness.html

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Juice During Pregnancy.
http://www.newhealthadvisor.org/lemon-juice-during-pregnancy.html
Lime juice raw.
https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Lime_juice%2C_raw_nutritional_value.html
Bakare Airat Adeola et al.; (2012); Effect of lime juice (citrus aurantifolia) on histomorphological alterations of the ovaries and uterus of cyclic Sprague-Dawley rats.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286916218_Effect_of_lime_juice_citrus_aurantifolia_on_histomorphological_alterations_of_the_ovaries_and_uterus_of_cyclic_Sprague-Dawley_rats
Morning Sickness? 12 Remedies That Really Work.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/morning-sickness-10-tips-to-tame-your-turbulent-tummy-day-or-night
Why Pregnancy Can Make You Have Weird Cravings.
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/why-pregnancy-can-make-you-have-weird-cravings/

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Meenu Vashisht AhujaMBBS, DGO, DNB

Dr. Meenu Vashisht Ahuja owns her private practice in New Delhi and works as a visiting consultant at Fortis Hospital. She has 12 years of experience and her special interests lie in infertility cases and procedures such as IUI, IVF, and ICSI.

Read full bio of Dr. Meenu Vashisht Ahuja

Dr. Nandita PalshetkarMBBS, MD, FCPS Dr. Nandita Palshetkar is a gynecologist and IVF specialist with over 30+ years of experience. She is the scientific director at Blooms IVF clinic in Mumbai, India.
Dr. Nandita Palshetkar is a gynecologist and IVF specialist with over 30+ years of experience. She is the scientific director at Blooms IVF clinic in Mumbai, India.
Dr. Nisarg PatelMBBS, MS Dr. Nisarg Patel is a gynecologist, obstetrician, and laparoscopic surgeon from Ahmedabad, India, with over 13 years of experience in the field. He did his post graduation in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahmednagar, and holds a fellowship of Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Nisarg Patel is a gynecologist, obstetrician, and laparoscopic surgeon from Ahmedabad, India, with over 13 years of experience in the field. He did his post graduation in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahmednagar, and holds a fellowship of Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Michael GreenMD Dr. Michael Green is a board-certified OB/GYN living in Lake Arrowhead, CA. He studied medicine at St. Louis University of Medicine and completed a Family Medicine Residency at the Ventura County Medical Center. Dr. Green did a second residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. In addition, he holds a masters degree in Chemistry from the California State University Northridge. With over 17 years experience, Dr. Green currently works as a site director for OBHG at Northridge Medical Center in Northridge, CA.
Dr. Michael Green is a board-certified OB/GYN living in Lake Arrowhead, CA. He studied medicine at St. Louis University of Medicine and completed a Family Medicine Residency at the Ventura County Medical Center. Dr. Green did a second residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. In addition, he holds a masters degree in Chemistry from the California State University Northridge. With over 17 years experience, Dr. Green currently works as a site director for OBHG at Northridge Medical Center in Northridge, CA.

Ria SahaB.Tech

Ria is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant.

Read full bio of Ria Saha

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

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