The body’s reaction to lemon or freshly squeezed lemon juice is part of home methods used for a rough assessment of stomach function.
This test is not diagnostic and does not determine the actual level of acidity, but is sometimes used as an observation of the digestive system’s reaction.
Test Essence
The test is conducted on an empty stomach or between meals. You need to eat a slice of lemon or drink a small amount of fresh lemon juice and evaluate the sensations over a few minutes.
- If there is burning, unpleasant sensations, or discomfort: interpreted as increased acidity;
- If the lemon does not taste sour and resembles the taste of an orange: interpreted as decreased acidity;
- If the lemon is perceived normally and does not cause discomfort: interpreted as conditional norm.
Lemon contains citric acid, which has a pronounced sour taste and can irritate inflamed areas of the esophagus or stomach. It is assumed that at high acidity, even a small amount of acid provokes burning, while at low acidity, the lemon is perceived as milder.
Why the Test Doesn’t Work
The sensation of “sourness” is determined not by the stomach, but by taste receptors. The taste of lemon is formed on the tongue and is not related to the level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Even with pronounced hypo- or hyperacidity, the taste will not change.
Lemon can cause burning due to mucosal irritation. Discomfort after lemon is often associated with gastritis, weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter, esophagitis, or sensitive mucosa. These conditions cause heartburn regardless of stomach acidity.
If the lemon does not taste sour, it does not mean low acidity. Weak sensitivity to acid may be related to zinc deficiency, taste disorders, smoking, tongue inflammation, or frequent consumption of sweets.
The level of hydrochloric acid is irrelevant here.
Citric acid does not increase the acidity of gastric juice. After the lemon enters the stomach, the body releases more bicarbonate, which can temporarily raise the pH. Therefore, unpleasant sensations do not reflect the actual level of acidity.
The reaction depends on the condition of the esophagus, not the stomach. Burning occurs when acidic contents enter the esophagus. This process depends on the function of the sphincters and gastrointestinal motility, not on the concentration of hydrochloric acid.
What is the Benefit of the Test
It can only be useful as an observation:
- If lemon consistently causes burning; reflux or esophageal inflammation may be possible;
- If lemon tastes bland; zinc deficiency or taste receptor disorders may be possible.
However, conclusions about acidity cannot be made.
