This Is What Happens If You Drink Too Much Lemonade

There's nothing quite like a cold glass of fresh lemonade in the summer. The drink is light, sweet, and refreshing, so it's no wonder lemonade is a classic go-to for many people when they want to hydrate and cool off on a hot summer day. But can drinking too much lemonade be a bad thing?

As you might already know, one of the main ingredients of lemonade is sugar. In fact, Livestrong estimates that an average glass of lemonade contains 30 or more grams of sugar per serving. While it's the sugar that makes the drink taste so good, consuming too much of it is not the best thing for your body. According to Medical News Today, excess sugar can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of certain illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. So, it might be a good idea to limit the amount of lemonade you drink or at least buy a low-sugar variety of the beverage.

It's not all bad though. Despite the sugar, lemonade also provides a healthy boost of vitamin C, citrus flavonoids, and antioxidants, which can help protect against certain health issues like kidney stones, anemia, and even heart disease, per Healthline. Lemons also contain lots of fiber, which has been shown to aid in digestion and even have cancer-fighting properties.

Lemons are indeed healthy, but as with any citrus fruit, they are also fairly acidic. The acidity in lemons, as well as the sugar, may be detrimental to tooth health and can erode tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. Excess citrus has also been known to worsen acid indigestion and heartburn, especially in those who are prone to acid reflux. While it is unlikely to cause many issues in the average person, drinking too much lemonade may worsen indigestion and heartburn in people that have gastroesophageal reflux disease or are sensitive to acidity, per Livestrong.

There's certainly nothing wrong with enjoying a nice, cold glass of lemonade every once in a while, but as with most treats, moderation is key. Simply being mindful of portion sizes will go a long way toward ensuring you get only the delicious taste without any of the negative health risks.