Papaya + Lemon — A Fruit Pairing That Isn’t Always Gentle on Your Stomach
Papaya + Lemon: A Surprising Combination You Should Know About Papaya + Lemon — A Fruit Pairing That Isn’t Always Gentle on Your Stomach Papaya is known as a digestion-friendly fruit thanks to the enzyme papain . Lemon is refreshing and acidic, rich in vitamin C. But when eaten together, this “healthy-looking combo” may actually cause discomfort for some people. Here’s what happens in your stomach — and how to enjoy both safely. Why Papaya + Lemon Can Be a Problem Papaya digests best in a low-acid environment because papain works optimally at mild pH levels. When you add lemon, its strong acidity can: reduce papain activity slow digestion instead of supporting it increase stomach acidity in people prone to reflux This mismatch may lead to mild heartburn, nausea, or a heavy stomach feeling. Who Should Be Cautious? Consider avoiding this combination if you: have acid reflux or gastritis easily get heartburn from acidic foods ea...