Oxalate <25 mg/serving
Oxalate 25-99 mg/serving
Oxalate ≥100 mg/serving
Lemon juice might be the single most recommended 'food as medicine' for kidney stone prevention, and the science supports it — partially. Lemons are near-zero oxalate and extremely high in citric acid (citrate), which binds calcium in urine and prevents crystal formation. The standard recommendation — juice of two lemons in a liter of water, sipped throughout the day — has some clinical backing in urinary chemistry studies. It's not a cure for existing stones (nothing dietary dissolves them), but it's one of the few dietary interventions with measurable effects on urine composition. Squeeze fresh lemon into your water bottle. It's cheap, safe, and the evidence is decent.
📊 Nutrition at a Glance
📏 Oxalate by Serving Size
| Serving | Weight | Oxalate | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 slice | 7 g | 1 mg | Safe |
| 2 x 1 slice | 14 g | 2 mg | Safe |
| ½ x 1 slice | 3 g | 0.5 mg | Safe |
🏷️ Tags
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⚖️ Compare this food: · vs Rhubarb · vs Herbs and Spices Lemon Myrtle →
🔗 Related Foods
🟢 Safe alternatives (recommended)
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat Lemon with kidney stones?
It's fine. Lemon has 1 mg of oxalate per 1 slice. That's low enough that kidney stone patients don't really need to worry about it. Harvard did the measuring, not us.
How much oxalate is in Lemon?
The exact figure: 1 mg of oxalate per 1 slice of Lemon. Works out to 8 mg/100g. This is the number kidney stone patients actually need. Harvard (2024) verified.
Is Lemon low or high oxalate?
Definitely low. 1 mg oxalate per 1 slice. That's the green zone. No restrictions needed for this food.
What can I eat instead of Lemon?
Plenty of options. Scroll down to Related Foods — every 🟢 green item there is a lower-oxalate alternative to Lemon. Same food group, way less oxalate.
How much sodium does Lemon have?
Sodium's not the issue here. Lemon has 1 mg per 100g — comfortably low. No need to worry about salt pushing extra calcium into your urine with this food.