WHY A GIRL SUFFERED FROM ‘EXTREME ABDOMINAL AND STOMACH DISCOMFORT’ AFTER DRINKING HEATED LEMON WATER FROM A COPPER MUG
Drinking more than 1 or 2 cups daily from copper vessels may expose one to certain health hazards (Source: Freepik)
Recent health trends have promoted drinking water stored in copper vessels or consuming heated or lemon-infused water as miracle cures for various ailments.
However, nutritionist and content creator Luke Coutinho suggests that these practices, when taken to extremes, may not be as beneficial as once thought and could potentially pose health risks.
In a post shared on Instagram, he mentions a case that he came across involving Akira, a 17-year-old girl, who complained of “extreme abdominal and stomach discomfort in the morning.” What stood out to Coutinho was that the pain only lasted for 2-3 hours in the morning and completely went away.
Upon further investigation, he found that the family had switched to drinking water from copper mugs around the same time when the pain started. He stated that he then noticed the cause behind the problem. “Akira was removing the water (from the copper mug), heating it, squeezing lemon in it and then sipping it from the copper mug,” he wrote.
As soon as she was told to stop doing that, things started to look better and the “pain vanished.”
But, what was the reason behind this?
As with many wellness trends, moderation is key, and understanding the potential drawbacks of these popular water consumption methods is crucial for maintaining overall health.
Neelanjana J, dietician at Apollo Clinic, JP Nagar says, “Copper containers might have health advantages when used to drink water, but too much of it can cause copper poisoning. Drinking more than 1 or 2 cups daily from copper vessels may expose one to certain health hazards such as copper toxicity, gastrointestinal distress, liver damage and neurological problems.”
Ipsita Chakraborty, senior nutritionist at Hungry Koala agrees, adding, “The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum daily intake of 2 milligrams of copper per litre of water.”
Neelanjana also advises against drinking heated water or lemon-infused water from copper vessels. “If hot water or lemon juice is added; this can give rise to chemical reactions as copper can get changed by acidic substances (like lemon) or heat, thus creating copper salts that are harmful in large amounts inside the body,” she states.
If hot water or lemon juice is added; this can give rise to chemical reactions as copper can get changed by acidic substances (Source: Freepik)
Heating water or adding acidic substances like lemon juice to a copper vessel can accelerate the leaching of copper into the water, Chakraborty adds. “This can significantly increase the copper concentration, making it easier to exceed the recommended daily intake.”
Additionally, according to Neelanjana, if hot water or lemon juice is added there could be “formation of toxic compounds such as copper acetate and also copper carbonate.” Consumption of these might result into serious gastrointestinal disturbances together with other health complications.
Who should be careful?
Neelanjana asserts, “Expecting mothers must take care that too much copper may affect the growth of unborn babies.”
Children are more likely to be affected by copper poisoning, she says, due to their smaller body size and developing systems. Chronic liver patients are ought to limit copper intake, since their livers may not function efficiently in detoxifying and excreting copper.
Chakraborty addresses the myths related to drinking water from copper vessels
Copper Water Cures All Diseases: While copper has antimicrobial properties and potential health benefits, it's not a cure-all for diseases. Claims of it curing cancer, diabetes, or other chronic conditions are unsubstantiated.
More Copper is Always Better: As with any nutrient, moderation is key. Excessive copper intake can be harmful.
Copper Vessels Purify Water: While copper can kill some bacteria, it's not a reliable method for water purification. It's essential to use clean, filtered water in copper vessels.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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2024-09-06T11:00:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd