Why You Should Never Order Lemons In Your Drinks at a Restaurant

My love of lemons is legendary. So much in fact, that my family will get me lemon inspired gifts for every occasion. I have said on the air, many times, that if Lemon Pledge were edible, I think I would eat it.

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But, on a recent weekend getaway, I think a lemon did me wrong and now I feel a little differently about my beloved lemons. At least for now, anyway.

Mystery sickness while on vacation

My husband and I were having a great time. Except for the concert we wanted to attend changing venues, things were going well. Our Airbnb was, ok. Walls were really thin and appliances were noisy, but overall not that bad. All was made better because the play we went to see was both hilarious and amazing.

When we travel, we like to try different types of foods. Usually, we always share our food. That way we can both try more things. So, on this trip, like all of the others, we ate the very same food. except for one thing. On our last night, I ordered lemon with my ice water.

Around 1am, I woke up and was violently ill until around 8am. It was awful. I was the kind of sick were you just lay on the floor of the bathroom because you are too sick to hold your head up. You know, the kind f sick that requires a shower after each moment of extreme sickness.

As we tried to figure out if I was really sick or had just eaten something bad, it all boiled down to the lemon. I had no fever and we had eaten the very same things, except for the lemon in my ice water.

Can lemon in your drinks make you sick?

...a study from the Journal of Environmental Health, researchers tested 76 lemon samples from 21 different restaurants during 43 visits and found that many of the lemons contained microorganisms, including some pathogenic ones that may cause diseases. To minimize your risk a bit, squeeze the lemon into your drink instead of dropping the whole wedge in. And if you see employees handling lemons with their bare hands, it might be best to stick to plain water.

- businessinsider.com

So, YES, it the answer. Just to be sure, I also found a video supporting the theory of the lemon in my ice water making me sick.

You know, I knew the risks, I just chose to play roulette with lemons. I even wrote an article touting my restaurant Redneck Lemonade recipe. I've also written articles about why you should drink lemon in your water. I've cured headaches and eased anxiety with lemons. I love me some lemons.

I was so sick, though, I'm not asking for lemons in my drinks again. That is, unless I'm at home where I know there has been to cross-contamination.

I still love them, though.

More reasons to slow down on the lemons in your drinks

Drinking lemon water regularly can cause enamel erosion or tooth decay because of the acid in the citrus fruit. Too much lemon water can also lead to heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and other gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms.

businessinsider.com

Ok then, only lemons at home, cooked in something, or the smell of Lemon Pledge. LOL