Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

By Harlan Levy

Months ago at my wife’s urging I decided – thoughtlessly – to take a state driving test, since she thinks I’m a dangerous driver, which I deny. Anyway, I figured I should be able to pass the test easily.

What a mistake! The test was half written and reacting quickly to video images, and half on the road. It took about four hours. After I finished, the tester announced that I flunked a few parts and should no longer drive, and if I did and got into an accident I no longer would have insurance.

How stupid I was, I lamented, thinking about all the truly bad drivers on the road that we see almost every day. Every driver should be required to take this complicated and effective test!

But it’s too late for me. I’ve lost my independence, I thought. What a bad move! So depressing!

Then, a miracle: We were having our usual very long weekend August vacation at the Cornell Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts in the delightful Berkshires, when one day we (she) drove into town and parked. I said we should park closer to the stores where we wanted to shop, so she moved the car. Right after she parked I got out, and a woman riding a four-wheel electric scooter scooted past me. I looked at it and thought, That’s for me! My solution!

My wife has been drinking water with squeezed in lemon juice for years, and a few months ago I started. But a recent report states that it may be harming my stomach. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

I immediately crossed the street and saw she had stopped to talk to a man on a bench. I barged in and asked her about her scooter. Pat, who’s 84, has been driving “all over the place” for a year, she told me, and loves her scooter. She then allowed me to drive it around a large parking lot, and I was convinced. I immediately pulled up Amazon on my cell phone and bought a shiny new red one, made by SKRT in California. Cost: $1,469. It arrived in a week, and I’ve been happily riding all over on West Hartford’s sidewalks, which the state allows. It has three top speeds – the highest up to 30 miles an hour. I only drive at the slowest.

Then, two weeks ago I was describing my scooter and its cost ($1,469 plus $400 for shipping and $118 in state tax) to my friend Stan G. He surprised me, saying I might qualify for a reimbursement from my insurer, ConnectiCare, if I apply. I then called ConnectiCare and found that I may qualify for an 80-to-90% payment after faxing my four doctors’ different diagnoses of my health conditions, most notably osteoporosis and congestive heart failure. 80 to 90 percent! Amazing if it happens. At 90% of the total cost my 300-pound red buggy would cost me $193.87 – the price of a great meal for two at an exceptional West Hartford restaurant. So everything I needed has been sent. A decision will take 60 to 90 days.

Now I’m waiting to hear back. But even if I don’t get anything, I don’t care. I can take it out of the $8,500 sale of my Subaru. What a life!

Lemon water

For years my wife has been adding squeezed lemon juice to water every day because of the digestive health benefits. A few months ago I decided to try it, and ever since I’ve squeezed lemon juice and pulp into my 16.9-ounce Zojirushi water bottle (the best water bottle in my opinion for keeping water cold or hot).

But is that healthy? Last week my wife got an unsolicited email from recipeheaven.com, citing an article from everydayhealth.com, which she forwarded to me, stating that “adding lemon to water is not entirely bad, but it can [erode] your tooth enamel and trigger acid reflux if you consume too much of it.”

My wife has been drinking water with squeezed in lemon juice for years, and a few months ago I started. But a recent report states that it may be harming my stomach. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Lemons contain citric acid. “Frequent exposure to this acid can wear away the protective outer layer of your teeth, leading to sensitivity and a higher risk of cavities,” the article said.

Also, to my concern about my now-healing ulcer and my acid reflux, the report said, “The high acidity in lemons can irritate the stomach lining or worsen conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), causing a burning sensation or discomfort.”

I immediately stopped drinking lemon water after that. But there’s hope:

• Use a Straw: Drinking through a straw helps the acidic liquid bypass your teeth.
• Rinse Your Mouth: Swish plain water in your mouth after finishing your drink to wash away remaining acid.
• Wait to Brush: Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after drinking lemon water, because acid temporarily softens enamel, making it easier to scrub away. Dentists say you need to wait at least 30 minutes after consuming anything acidic before brushing. During that half hour, your saliva works to neutralize the acid and start remineralizing the enamel surface.
• Dilute It: Squeezing just half a lemon into a large glass of water provides flavor and nutrients without overloading on acid.
• Lemon has a pH of 2.7 – the same pH as stomach acid. When you have acid reflux, a stomach enzyme called pepsin gets pushed up into your throat, vocal cords, and sinuses. Pepsin needs acid to activate. So when you drink lemon juice, you’re basically handing pepsin the exact fuel it needs to start digesting your own tissue. That’s self-digestion.

Regardless, my wife says, “I’ll continue drinking lemon water, because the digestive benefits outweigh the negatives, especially if you add fresh ginger.”

And I’m resuming my lemon water routine, squeezing less than half a lemon with some pulp.

Now you can decide.

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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