Is Citric Acid Bad For You?

Is citric acid bad for you? Citric acid was originated from lemon juice by a Swedish researcher in 1784. Citric acid is used as a flavoring and preserving agent in soft drinks and candles, and it is also used to stabilize and preserve medicines.

Is citric acid bad for you? iStock- photo credit: SB

Some of the best natural sources of citric acid are citric fruits. And some good citric fruits are:

• Lemons
• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Limes
• Tangerines

Some other fruits that have less citric acids are strawberries, pineapple, raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, etc.

One of the biggest benefits of citric acid is the ability it has to enhance nutrient absorption. It enhances the bioavailability of minerals which allows your body to better absorb them. Some studies have shown that citric acid can prevent the formation of kidney stones.

When you have kidney stones it is often treated with potassium citrate also known as citric acid. The FDA has recognized manufacturing citric acid as safe. There have been small reports of people being sick or having allergic reactions to citric acid as an additive.

Citric acid is one of the most common food additives in the world. It is used in soda, juices, frozen foods, powdered beverages, etc. It is also commercially sold as a disinfectant and cleaning agent to get rid of soap scum, hard stains, rust, etc.

It looks like a safer alternative to conventional disinfectant and cleaning products. Citric acid is considered one of the most useful disinfectants against a variety of bacteria and viruses.

The Bottom Line is citric acid isn’t bad for you. One of the key health benefits is the enhancement of nutrient absorption. It has also been used to treat, manage, and prevent kidney stones. The FDA has recognized manufacturing citric acid as being relatively safe.

If you have any interest in trying any of our Ethical Supplement products to help you heighten your immune system or assist you with your fitness, weight loss or health goals. You can get a discount below at this link.

https://offer.ethicalinc.com/suppressant-offer/ ?utm_source=blog 

About Author- Obi Obadike

About – Ethical Inc

Sharecare Names Top 10 Fittest Cities in America – Sharecare

References

1. Sweis IE, Cressey BC. Potential role of the common food additive manufactured citric acid in eliciting significant inflammatory reactions contributing to serious disease states: A series of four case reports. Toxicol Rep. 2018 Aug 9;5:808-812. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.08.002. PMID: 30128297; PMCID: PMC6097542.
2. Hong JK, Lee KN, You SH, Kim SM, Tark D, Lee HS, Ko YJ, Seo MG, Park JH, Kim B. Inactivation of foot-and-mouth disease virus by citric acid and sodium carbonate with deicers. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2015 Nov;81(21):7610-4. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01673-15. Epub 2015 Aug 28. PMID: 26319879; PMCID: PMC4592871.
3. Sakuma K, Uchiumi N, Sato S, Aida N, Ishimatsu T, Igoshi T, Kodama Y, Hotta H. Experience of using heat citric acid disinfection method in central dialysis fluid delivery system. J Artif Organs. 2010 Sep;13(3):145-50. doi: 10.1007/s10047-010-0505-0. Epub 2010 Jun 1. PMID: 20514548.
4. Holmes CJ, Degremont A, Kubey W, Straka P, Man NK. Effectiveness of various chemical disinfectants versus cleaning combined with heat disinfection on Pseudomonas biofilm in hemodialysis machines. Blood Purif. 2004;22(5):461-8. doi: 10.1159/000080791. PMID: 15359105.
5. Lacour B, Tardivel S, Drüeke T. Stimulation by citric acid of calcium and phosphorus bioavailability in rats fed a calcium-rich diet. Miner Electrolyte Metab. 1997;23(2):79-87. PMID: 9252973.
6. Teucher B, Olivares M, Cori H. Enhancers of iron absorption: ascorbic acid and other organic acids. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2004 Nov;74(6):403-19. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831.74.6.403. PMID: 15743017.
7. Kern A, Grimsby G, Mayo H, Baker LA. Medical and dietary interventions for preventing recurrent urinary stones in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Nov 9;11(11):CD011252. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011252.pub2. PMID: 29117629; PMCID: PMC6486163.
8. Phillips R, Hanchanale VS, Myatt A, Somani B, Nabi G, Biyani CS. Citrate salts for preventing and treating calcium containing kidney stones in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Oct 6;2015(10):CD010057. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010057.pub2. PMID: 26439475; PMCID: PMC9578669.
9. Prezioso D, Strazzullo P, Lotti T, Bianchi G, Borghi L, Caione P, Carini M, Caudarella R, Ferraro M, Gambaro G, Gelosa M, Guttilla A, Illiano E, Martino M, Meschi T, Messa P, Miano R, Napodano G, Nouvenne A, Rendina D, Rocco F, Rosa M, Sanseverino R, Salerno A, Spatafora S, Tasca A, Ticinesi A, Travaglini F, Trinchieri A, Vespasiani G, Zattoni F; CLU Working Group. Dietary treatment of urinary risk factors for renal stone formation. A review of CLU Working Group. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2015 Jul 7;87(2):105-20. doi: 10.4081/aiua.2015.2.105. Erratum in: Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2016 Mar;88(1):76. Ferraro, Manuel [added]. PMID: 26150027.
10. Penniston KL, Nakada SY, Holmes RP, Assimos DG. Quantitative assessment of citric acid in lemon juice, lime juice, and commercially-available fruit juice products. J Endourol. 2008 Mar;22(3):567-70. doi: 10.1089/end.2007.0304. PMID: 18290732; PMCID: PMC2637791.
11. Max B, Salgado JM, Rodríguez N, Cortés S, Converti A, Domínguez JM. Biotechnological production of citric acid. Braz J Microbiol. 2010 Oct;41(4):862-75. doi: 10.1590/S1517-83822010000400005. Epub 2010 Dec 1. PMID: 24031566; PMCID: PMC3769771.