Lemon is a familiar fruit in daily meals. Not only rich in vitamin C, lemon is also of interest to scientists thanks to its ability to support kidney stones prevention thanks to its abundant natural citric acid content.
According to Healthline, citric acid in lemons can help increase urine volume and raise urine pH. These two factors contribute to creating a less favorable environment for kidney stones.
Kidney stones appear when waste in urine crystallizes and accumulates into solid blocks in the kidneys. This is a fairly common condition with a high risk of recurrence in many people. Some studies show that supplementing with lemon water can help increase the amount of citrate in urine - a substance that plays a role in inhibiting the formation of some types of kidney stones.
Researchers believe that only about 125ml of lemon juice per day can provide a significant amount of citric acid, which helps reduce the risk of kidney stones recurring in people who have had the disease before.
Besides its benefits for kidney stones, lemon also contains many nutrients that are beneficial for health. One lemon provides about 53mg of vitamin C, equivalent to nearly 60% of the recommended daily needs. Vitamin C helps support the immune system and participates in the repair and regeneration of tissues in the body.
In addition, the white pulp of lemon contains pectin - a form of soluble fiber that can support the digestive system and create a feeling of fullness for longer. Lemons are also researched for their ability to support cardiovascular health thanks to vitamin C and antioxidant plant compounds.
Experts say lemon can be part of a healthy diet, especially for those who want to support reducing the risk of kidney stones. However, lemon is not an alternative treatment and patients still need to follow doctor's instructions.
