Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Citric acid content may worsen dental enamel erosion
- Rare photosensitivity reactions at high doses
- Furanocoumarin content may interact with some CYP enzymes at high doses
- Generally safe at typical flavouring amounts
Contraindications
- Citric acid content may worsen dental enamel erosion
- Rare photosensitivity reactions at high doses
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Lemon extract is used as a natural flavouring in supplements. It contains limonene, citric acid, and other phytochemicals. At flavouring amounts it is safe and well tolerated. D-limonene as a concentrated extract has separate safety considerations. May rarely cause photosensitivity reactions when consumed at high levels.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Citrus limon peel extract
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 4 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Citric acid content may worsen dental enamel erosion
- Rare photosensitivity reactions at high doses
- Furanocoumarin content may interact with some CYP enzymes at high doses
- Generally safe at typical flavouring amounts
The available scientific evidence for Lemon Extract indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 4/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 12/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 4 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 4 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 12:43
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCitrus limon Peel Extract Modulates Redox Enzymes and Induces Cytotoxicity in Human Gastric Cancer Cells. ↗Nasso R et al.. Citrus limon Peel Extract Modulates Redox Enzymes and Induces Cytotoxicity in Human Gastric Cancer Cells.. Int J Mol Sci. 2026. PMID:41596250.PMID 41596250 ↗Journal Int J Mol SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41596250/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAssessment of the Anti-Listeria Effect of Citrus limon Peel Extract In Silico, In Vitro, and in Fermented Cow Milk During Cold Storage. ↗Mkadem W et al.. Assessment of the Anti-Listeria Effect of Citrus limon Peel Extract In Silico, In Vitro, and in Fermented Cow Milk During Cold Storage.. Foods. 2025. PMID:40002105.PMID 40002105 ↗Journal FoodsYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40002105/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAnti-carcinogenic effects and mechanisms of actions of Citrus limon fruit peel hydroethanolic extract and limonene in diethylnitrosmine/2-acetylaminofluorene-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats. ↗Ezzat RS et al.. Anti-carcinogenic effects and mechanisms of actions of Citrus limon fruit peel hydroethanolic extract and limonene in diethylnitrosmine/2-acetylaminofluorene-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats.. Am J Cancer Res. 2024. PMID:39659918.PMID 39659918 ↗Journal Am J Cancer ResYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39659918/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInhibition of Interleukin-6-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression and Invasive Ability of Lemon Peel Polyphenol Extract in Human Primary Colon Cancer Cells. ↗Pagliara V et al.. Inhibition of Interleukin-6-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression and Invasive Ability of Lemon Peel Polyphenol Extract in Human Primary Colon Cancer Cells.. Molecules. 2021. PMID:34885656.PMID 34885656 ↗Journal MoleculesYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34885656/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Lemon Extract. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Lemon Extract
A score of 2.0 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.