Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lemon is often recommended as a dietary adjunct in the management of anemia, particularly iron-deficiency anemia. This recommendation is supported by scientific evidence, albeit indirectly. Lemons are not a significant source of iron themselves, but they are rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which plays a crucial role in enhancing the absorption of non-heme iron (the type of iron found in plant-based foods) in the gastrointestinal tract. Several studies have demonstrated that vitamin C can reduce ferric iron (Fe³⁺) to the more absorbable ferrous form (Fe²⁺), thereby increasing the amount of dietary iron that the body can absorb. For this reason, clinical guidelines often encourage the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods, such as lemon juice, alongside iron-rich plant foods to improve iron status and help treat or prevent iron-deficiency anemia.

However, there is limited direct evidence that lemon alone, as opposed to vitamin C in general, makes a significant impact on anemia outcomes. The effect is more about the vitamin C content than any unique property of lemon itself. Thus, while the practice has a scientific rationale and some supporting data, the evidence is not robust or specific enough to warrant a higher score. Lemon's role is best understood as a supportive dietary component rather than a primary treatment for anemia.

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