The characteristics of Benefits of citric acid make it an important additive for a variety of industries. Food and beverages use an estimated 70% of manufactured citric acid, pharmaceutical and dietary supplements use 20%, and the remaining 10% goes into cleaning agents.
Manufactured citric acid is one of the most common food additives in the world. It’s used to boost acidity, enhance flavor, and preserve ingredients. Sodas, juices, powdered beverages, candies, frozen foods, and some dairy products often contain manufactured citric acid. It’s also added to canned fruits and vegetables to protect against botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by the toxin-producing Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
Benefits of citric acid is an industrial staple in medicines and dietary supplements. It’s added to medicines to help stabilize and preserve the active ingredients and used to enhance or mask the taste of chewable and syrup-based medications. Mineral supplements, such as magnesium and calcium, may contain citric acid — in the form of citrate — as well to enhance absorption.
Benefits of citric acid is a useful disinfectant against a variety of bacteria and viruses. A test-tube study showed that it may be effective in treating or preventing human norovirus, a leading cause of foodborne illness. Citric acid is commercially sold as a general disinfectant and cleaning agent for removing soap scum, hard water stains, lime, and rust.
Summary: Citric acid is a versatile additive for food, beverages, medicines, and dietary supplements, as well as cleaning and disinfecting products.
Citric acid has many impressive health benefits and functions.
Citrate — a closely related molecule of citric acid — is the first molecule that forms during a process called the citric acid cycle. Also known as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) or Krebs cycle, these chemical reactions in your body help transform food into usable energy. Humans and other organisms derive the majority of their energy from this cycle.
Supplemental minerals are available in a variety of forms. But not all forms are created equal, as your body uses some more effectively. Citric acid enhances the bioavailability of minerals, allowing your body to better absorb them. Thus, calcium citrate is a better option for people with less stomach acid, like older adults. Citric acid also enhances the absorption of zinc supplements.
Citric acid — in the form of potassium citrate — prevents new kidney stone formation and breaks apart those already formed. Kidney stones are solid masses made of crystals that typically originate in your kidneys. Kidney stones are often treated with citric acid as potassium citrate. However, consuming foods high in this natural acid — like citrus fruits — can offer similar stone-preventing benefits.
SUMMARY: Citric acid helps with energy metabolism, the absorption of minerals, and the prevention or treatment of kidney stones.
There are many reasons to add citric acid to food, medicine, or other products. It can
Preserve food. It is used to keep food fresh for longer periods. In some cases, it may prevent foodborne botulism, an illness that can be caused by home-canned foods that are low in acid.
Preserve personal care products. It may keep cosmetics and other products fresh for longer.
Have protective effects in the body. Citric acid used in medicine can kill bacteria and lower the acid in urine.
Remove tough stains. For this reason, it’s added to some cleaning products.
Brightens and Lightens Skin
Benefits of citric acid count as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which are a common inclusion in many skincare products. They work by gently exfoliating skin and removing dead skin cells. Studies show AHAs have drastic effects on keratinization or skin darkening. But due to its gentle nature, exfoliation with AHAs come with little risks. Citrus fruits are popular skincare ingredients across several cultures. Lemon rinds may be used as a scrub to lighten dark part of the body like underarms and dark scars or mixed into bathwater.
Helps Correct Uneven Skin Tone
The gentle exfoliating nature of AHA makes it an ideal solution for evening out skin tone. Dark patches, scars, and age spots are some examples, as well as the dark circles under the eyes. The skin under the eyes is particularly sensitive, which calls for gentle solutions like citric acid. Incorporating a product such as Purple Tea’s Rapid Eye serum into your routine can help remedy dark circles and wrinkles. It combines citric acid with other soothing ingredients like purple tea extract and lavender oil for best results.
Unclogs Blocked Pores
Multiple skincare products on the market include harsh exfoliants which forcibly scrape at the skin in an attempt to unclog pores. However, this only irritates the skin even further, exacerbating any existing inflammation and driving bacteria further into vulnerable skin.
Fights Dandruff
The alkaline and antioxidant nature of citric acid help balance excess acidity on the scalp which may contribute to dandruff. It helps soothe the skin and help prevent dandruff in the long run without forcibly peeling off dandruff flakes. Dandruff may be a result of a myriad of things, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Many harsh treatments exist claiming to remove dandruff, but end up irritating the scalp.
Helps Prevent Wrinkles
Besides its power of gentle exfoliation, citric acid is also a popular ingredient in the fight against wrinkles. Studies show treatments using AHA help increase collagen production and the proliferation of fibroblasts in the skin. Collagen is present under the skin and is responsible for keeping it firm and smooth. Age lessens production over time, but upon stimulation, collagen helps fill out wrinkles and fine lines.
Citric Acid Risks
The FDA says citric acid is “generally recognized as safe” in food and skin products. Still, some experts think that more research is needed.
Citric acid may cause
Skin irritation. When it touches your skin for long periods of time, it can cause stinging, swelling, or hives.
Eye pain. It will burn if it gets in your eyes. If this happens, flush them well with water for several minutes. If you wear contact lenses, take them out as soon as you can.
Tooth problems. Drinks and candies that contain citric acid can wear away the enamel (the outer layer) of your teeth. This can make your teeth more sensitive, turn them yellow, and make it more likely you’ll get cavities.
Potential
Side Effects of Citric Acid
Why might citric acid be harmful to the body? Overall, while there’s
concern that artificial citric acid may have some negative health effects —
especially when consumed in large amounts from packaged foods — there isn’ t
clear evidence from large studies showing a connection between this acid and
health concerns. However, the following side effects may occur.
May Irritate Skin — For some people, especially those with
sensitive skin, citric acid found in skin/beauty products may be too strong and
can be irritating. When it’s used in cleaning products, it can also potentially
irritate the nasal passageways and trigger asthma symptoms.
Might Worsen Digestive Pains — If you suffer from low
stomach acid, this doesn’t mean you necessarily need to avoid acidic
foods/beverages. Acidic food like lemons, limes and tomatoes have an alkalizing
effect on the body after digestion. Note that acidic foods do not cause issues
like acid reflux or ulcers, but they may trigger the symptoms of
heartburn/GERD/acid reflux in some people. Low stomach acid can be a sign
you’re not producing enough hydrochloric acid (stomach acid), which
you can help reverse by eating a variety of cooked and raw vegetables;
increasing your intake of magnesium, potassium, fiber and antioxidants.
May Be Linked to Mold Reactions — While studies haven’t
clearly shown that citric acid created from Aspergillus is harmful,
some still worry that it can cause impaired immune function, allergies and
other side effects of inhaled.
Citric acid is present as an additive in some of the foods we use. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages
• in case of skin contact, it can cause sores and acne.
• Citric acid is one of the most common food additives in the world.
• Citric acid is a disinfectant and cleanser against bacteria.
• May prevent kidney stones.
• Citric acid absorbs minerals and nutrients.