A lemon a day keeps the doctor away, suggests a study conducted in Australia indicating that lemon juice may be effective in preventing pregnancy and HIV infection.
Due to its low cost and availability in most countries, Professor Roger Short, a reproductive psychologist at the University of Melbourne and a University of Wisconsin alum, believes that his discovery has the potential to lower the number of HIV infections and unwanted pregnancies. However, some experts at UW have expressed skepticism about his findings.
Short has been studying lemon juice and its contraceptive effects since January with a group of six colleagues, who refer to themselves as the “Lemonaids.”
When contained in cultures, lemon juice, the group found, is effective both in immobilizing sperm and killing off the HIV virus.
However, the study remains incomplete. The Lemonaids have yet to adequately assess whether this method damages the vaginal epithelium and whether it will kill all the HIV present in the sperm of an HIV-positive man.
Short explained how the lemon juice could be used as a contraceptive. He said the juice should be squeezed onto a piece of cotton or sponge and inserted into the vagina before intercourse. It can also be used on the penis for post-coital washing and protection against the HIV virus. According to Short, application of the lemon juice should not be painful.
Existing historical evidence suggests that lemon juice was used as a contraceptive in the past. Short and his colleagues rediscovered this method and hope the information will spread, in particular, to countries that do not have other readily available forms of contraception.
“The trouble is to find the most effective ways of disseminating this information,” Short said.
One problem Short identified in terms of spreading the information is public skepticism.
“We do not know the contraceptive efficacy of lemon juice, but the historical evidence suggests it was high,” Short said.
Dr. Scott Spear, director of clinical services at University Health Services, said that from a physician’s standpoint, these studies do not have the necessary credibility to be considered a wise choice for people seeking contraceptives.
“I can publish anything I want, but that doesn’t mean it’s accurate,” Spear said. “It’s important to know where information like this is coming from, especially when we’re dealing with topics like HIV.”
Many students said they would not rely on this method of contraception.
“These findings are interesting, but I’d be skeptical about it,” UW junior Lauren Sparber said. “I wouldn’t run out to the pharmacy and cancel my birth control and then run to the farmers’ market to pick up some lemons.”
Short said he plans to complete ongoing research, which will include primate testing and developing new ways of determining the efficacy rates of the lemon juice.
He has already begun advocating his method. Most recently, he visited South Africa and reported a high interest level there.
