The Benefits of Citric Acid

Citric Acid is a weak organic acid that is found naturally in all aerobic organisms. It is an essential element of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (best known as the Krebs Cycle), through which the body converts acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats and proteins into carbon dioxide[1]. It is found in greater amounts in fruits such as grapes, oranges, lemons, grapefruits and guavas but it can also be produced industrially.

Said fruits have been known to be excellent for human health for centuries, so much that at one point, a basket full of oranges was the greatest gift that a sailor could receive, because it healed scurvy. Nowadays, lots of more interesting benefits are known and taken advantage of.

Citric Acid Benefits

As mentioned earlier, citric acid is directly involved with the processing of fats and carbohydrates inside our bodies, therefore, consuming a healthy amount of citric acid may help in the regulation of a person’s weight[2]. And, in another benefit to appearances, citric acid is great for the skin! This is because the acid is an excellent chelating element which aids remove impurities by binding with them and thus removing them; it also helps antioxidants be more active so the skin remains young for longer; plus it helps balance the pH[3].

Those two last properties are part of why it works so greatly internally. First of all, since it binds so easily with harmful microorganisms, cleaning your throat with hot water and citric acid when it is infected aids in its recuperation. It can also be helpful with stones in the kidney, it seems it completely covers them, preventing even more harmful agents to reach them and make them bigger[4]. Then, since it boosts antioxidants, free radicals are more swiftly disposed of, aiding to a healthier body[5].

Another curious benefit of consuming citric acid is that it reduces nausea. This seems strange since citric acid sounds like something that would be harsh on the stomach, but it actually does the opposite. It reduces the gastric acid by breaking it down[6].

Just two important reminders before you can go on ahead and enjoy the many citric acid benefits: even though it is available to purchase openly in the market (it is known as lemon or acid salt because of its dusty appearance in its industrial form), the amount of intake must always be moderate and it is advisable to visit a physician prior to starting to take it regularly. The other thing is that Citric Acid should not be confused with Vitamin C, although the first is used to produce the latter industrially, they are not the same things and have different properties and results[7].