Why You Might Want to Skip the Lemon Water When Dining Out

When you sit down at a restaurant, your server will usually ask what kind of water you prefer—plain, sparkling, or water with lemon. Even though lemon water is often seen as a healthy choice, it may not be the best option when dining out. Recent findings suggest that those simple lemon slices may come with more than just flavor.

Hidden Hygiene Risks: What’s Really in That Lemon Water?

Investigations have revealed some surprising information about lemon wedges used in restaurants. ABC News conducted a study on the ten dirtiest items commonly found in restaurant environments—and lemon slices made the list. Shockingly, about half of the lemons tested contained bacteria linked to human fecal contamination. This leads to an obvious question: how does this happen?

How Contamination Happens: The Behind-the-Scenes Issue

According to the report, many restaurant employees handle lemons with bare hands rather than using gloves or utensils. If proper handwashing isn’t done—especially after bathroom use—harmful bacteria can easily transfer from hands to the fruit before it lands in your drink.

More Evidence: What Research Shows

Research published in the Journal of Environmental Health analyzed 76 lemon samples from 21 different restaurants. Nearly 70% of them carried different types of bacteria, including strains such as E. coli, which can lead to serious illness.

Protecting Yourself: Smart Choices While Dining Out

Knowing that restaurant environments can harbor more germs than expected, taking preventative steps is important. Washing your hands before eating is a simple but powerful habit. And when it comes to ordering drinks, skipping the lemon may be a wiser choice. Sometimes, sticking with plain water—especially when you’re dining out—might be the safest option.