What is citric acid and why is it needed? Citric acid in cooking and everyday life

One of the most popular food additives, which is actively used in cooking and food industry, is (citric acid formula - E330) - this is an organic type acid with a weak effect, which can be found in variety of vegetables and fruits, especially those found in citrus fruits. Maximum quantity E330 - in and (up to eight percent - this is approximately forty-seven grams per liter of juice).

Considering normal conditions, then citric acid has a white color and a fine crystal shape. The powder dissolves perfectly in.

IN human body There is also lemon E330. Derivatives of E330 - salts, are involved (and simply irreplaceable) in the process of bone formation, as well as in the process of regulating the size of calcium crystals. Additive salts are of great importance in biochemistry, since they are an intermediate link in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, which are actively involved in metabolic processes.

Citric acid was first produced from citrus juice in the early 1890s in Italy. Today, the most large-scale method of this food additive is the biosynthesis of various sugar components using industrial strains of the mold fungus Aspergillusniger.

According to estimates for 2017, 1.6 million tons of E330 were produced in the world, which is largely produced in China. Today, more than fifty percent of the production of this food additive is added to the compositions of various drinks, thus regulating their acidity level, and also acting as a preservative: approximately twenty percent is used in the production of various food products, approximately twenty percent is added in the production of various detergents. And only ten percent are actively used in cosmetics, the chemical industry and pharmaceuticals.

Citric acid, E330 – use in food

This additive is in every housewife’s kitchen today. Both E330 and its salts (sodium, calcium and potassium citrates) are actively used in the production of various foods and drinks (especially non-alcoholic) in order to improve taste, regulate acidity levels, and also as a natural preservative.

E330 forms chelate complexes (compounds), which take an active part in the delivery of various beneficial and nutrients in a fairly light and digestible biological form. Buffer citrate properties are used to adjust the pH in products household chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

As emulsifiers, the food additive E330 is added during the production process - this additive prevents separation; it is also added to caramel in order to reduce the crystallization process, and to any dishes as a taste stimulant.

E330 as a food additive is present together with sodium bicarbonate in a variety of effervescent drinks, as well as in other effervescent products (powders and tablets), in cosmetic products (bath bombs, aromatic salts, etc.). The E330 additive is quite often found in cleaning products.

It is also worth noting that the additive is actively used in cooking, as it has preservative properties, adds flavor to products, and is also used as a substitute for vinegar.

Citric acid in cooking

Citric acid is actively used in cooking. There is a wide variety of recipes with preparations for the winter using E330.

Recipe for cooking with citric acid at home: you need to take liter jar, put four sweet peas or three cloves, two cloves, one thin, two slices on the bottom. After this, small tomatoes are laid out. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water and cover with a lid. To prevent tomatoes from bursting, it is recommended to pierce each tomato with a needle at the foot before placing it in jars. Jars of boiling water should be left to stand for fifteen to twenty minutes. While the tomatoes are steeping in boiling water, you need to prepare the marinade. For one liter of marinade you need to take one tablespoon, three tablespoons, one teaspoon of citric acid. Bring the marinade to a boil. Drain the water from the jars, pour in boiling marinade, and roll up. It is recommended to consume tomatoes every month. A recipe with citric acid for the winter is great and much more tasty alternative recipe with vinegar. Marinating with citric acid is much healthier for the body, and the products are preserved for a long period of time.

The combination of soda and citric acid is actively used in baking - they act as a leavening agent.

You can add citric acid to a variety of drinks, to borscht dressings (to adjust acidity), to creams, etc.

Use of citric acid in everyday life

E330 can be used to descale the kettle. How much citric acid should be added to combat scale? For one teapot you need to pour one bag of lemon juice, add water, bring to a boil and leave to stand for half an hour, then just rinse the teapot thoroughly.

How to descale a washing machine with citric acid? To do this, you need to pour two sachets of citric acid into the drum of the machine, put one kitchen towel, set the washing temperature to the maximum and start the wash. It is recommended to clean the washing machine with citric acid once a month - this way you can maintain the functionality of the heating element for many years.

You can clean all bathroom fixtures with citric acid. How to clean a bathroom faucet with citric acid? To do this, you need to take toothpaste, soda and citric acid in equal proportions, apply to the desired areas, leave for a few minutes, then rinse with water.

Citric acid - harm and benefit

If you consume citric acid along with foods, it does not cause any harm to the body. In acceptable dosages, food additive E330 has a beneficial effect on the body, filling it with health and vitamins.

E330 is always present in reasonable quantities in the human body, taking an active part in metabolic processes, and if you combine the use of E330 with a variety of foods, it activates the Krebs cycle, therefore, significantly accelerating metabolic processes.

Surely everyone has one or two bags of such a common product as citric acid in their bins. Most likely, you use it as a descaling agent in a kettle and washing machine, in canning and preparing some dishes. But do you know everything about this product? Let's try to figure out together what citric acid is and why it is needed at all.

Citric acid: what is it?

We will not delve into the intricacies of chemistry; we will give a simple definition of this product. Citric acid- a snow-white substance with a crystalline structure (like granulated sugar) and sour taste. It is distinguished by its ability to melt at t = 153 °C, and at higher temperatures it breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. It dissolves very well in water, less successfully in ethyl alcohol, with difficulty - in diethyl ether.

Citric acid was first isolated by the Swedish chemist Karl Scheele in the 18th century (1784) from the juice of unripe lemons. Until the 30s of the 20th century, it was produced from citrus fruits. And already in 1935, this product began to be produced in the USSR using the method of biosynthesis from sugar with the help of mold fungi Aspergillus niger. Nowadays, the main raw material for the production of citric acid is beet molasses (in other words, beets). High content This substance is found in many products of natural origin. These are citruses and pomegranates, pineapples and berries (cranberries, currants, gooseberries), Green pepper, stems and leaves of shag, and even needles. Most citric acid is found in Chinese lemongrass and green lemons. So this substance unconditionally lives up to its name.

What are the benefits of citric acid?

Citric acid takes an active part in metabolic processes occurring in the human body. Moreover, it helps eliminate toxins and extra salts, burning carbohydrates, strengthening the nervous and immune systems. Therefore, it is still useful for the body.

But, despite the many advantages of citric acid, it also contains some dangers.

When consumed in large quantities orally, symptoms such as cough, blood vomiting, pain and irritation of the gastric mucosa may occur. And inhaling dry citric acid powder can cause irritation. respiratory tract. In general, with careful handling and use permissible doses this product is completely harmless.

Where is citric acid used?

Citric acid has received the status of a food additive with the code E330 assigned to it, the use of which is officially approved in the food industry in many countries. Therefore, in cooking and in production, this product is successfully used in several directions:

As an acidifier (to give a pleasant taste), acidity regulator and freshener in the production of alcoholic (liqueurs, wines) and non-alcoholic (lemonade), fizzy and dry, carbonated and non-carbonated (juices, teas) drinks;

As a flavor enhancer in the manufacture of confectionery products (cakes and pastries, ice cream and mousses, fillings for chocolates and caramel, oriental sweets);

As a preservative to increase shelf life in the production of sauces (ketchups, mayonnaise), sweet jams and jellies, processed cheeses and frozen foods, canned meat, fruits and vegetables and fish;

As an active substance that protects against the decomposition process (due to the presence of heavy metals) in the production of fats and oils to reduce the likelihood of bitterness.

So if you carefully read the composition of at least one of the products mentioned, you will probably find citric acid in the list of ingredients used.

Citric acid in cosmetology and medicine

In the cosmetics industry, this miracle powder is used as an acidity regulator in the production of creams and lotions, shampoos and elixirs, hair fixatives and balms, and effervescent bath bombs. Privately, a weak solution of citric acid can be used to whiten facial skin, eliminate age spots and freckles.

In medicine, citric acid is used in the production of products that help improve energy metabolism in the human body and accelerate metabolic processes.

But this is not the entire list of areas of application for such a universal substance. It turns out that citric acid is also used in the oil and gas industries when drilling wells. It is used to neutralize cement, thereby removing calcium ions from the drilling fluid.

How can you replace citric acid?

Of course, when preparing some dishes (including baking) or cosmetics at home this powder can be easily replaced natural juice, squeezed from fresh lemon. But on an industrial scale there is no way to do without it (how many citrus fruits will have to be “gutted” then?).

This is what it is, useful and at the same time alarming citric acid. Whether you use this powder or not is up to you.

To descale your washing machine, take 100 g of citric acid and pour it into the washing powder compartment. Then turn on the washing machine in boiling mode at 95°C (do not load laundry into the drum). This procedure is recommended to be carried out no more than 2 times a year. This method of descaling a washing machine is unacceptable if the drum is covered with enamel.

Deal with greasy stains microwave oven can be done using a solution prepared from 200 ml warm water and 1 tsp. citric acid. The cup with this composition is placed in a microwave oven and the device is turned on at full power for 13-15 minutes. After this, wipe the walls of the microwave oven with a damp cloth: not a trace of dirt and grease will remain.

To clean the hole on the iron, it is recommended to dissolve 23-25 g of citric acid in a glass of warm water and pour this solution into the water tank. Then set the temperature regulator to maximum and clean the iron by pressing the steam button. After this procedure, it is necessary to clean the tank from the citric acid solution: for this purpose, pour into this compartment 2-3 times clean water and drain it.

Cleaning a kettle and aluminum pans with citric acid

To clean the kettle from plaque, you need to pour water into a container (pour enough water so that it covers the plaque formed on the walls of the dish) and add 30 g of citric acid. Then the kettle is placed on the stove and the solution is brought to a boil, then, reducing the heat to low, the mixture is boiled until the scale begins to peel away from the walls of the dish. Next, drain the solution, fill the kettle with clean water and boil it (this water also needs to be drained).

In addition, citric acid helps get rid of: to do this, place an aluminum frying pan or kettle in the solution (take 1 tablespoon of citric acid per 1 liter of water) and boil the dishes for 13-15 minutes. After this, carefully scrape off the carbon deposits. If necessary, repeat the cleaning procedure.

Citric acid in nutrient solutions for flowers

Cut chrysanthemums will last longer in a vase if they are placed in a nutrient solution prepared from 1 liter of water, 0.1 g of citric acid and 50 g of sugar. A nutrient solution can also be prepared for roses. Its recipe is as follows: 40 g of sugar is dissolved in a liter of water and 0.2 g of citric acid is added, after which roses are placed in the solution.

Use of citric acid in cooking

In cooking, citric acid is used as an acidity regulator: it not only gives a pleasant sour taste to food, but also acts as an antioxidant. The norm for adding this food additive to sauces is 1 g per liter, to dishes – 0.05 g per serving.

Citric acid also extends the shelf life of products, which is why it is used in home canning. In addition, if you add citric acid, chicken proteins it’s better to whip up, and puff pastry will become more elastic: knowing these tricks, it is easier to prepare culinary masterpieces.

Why is citric acid needed? Benefits and harms, purpose of this product, as well as its properties will be presented in this article. In addition, we will tell you what can replace the ingredient in question, how it should be dissolved, etc.

General information

What is citric acid? The benefits and harms of this ingredient are known to few. But, before telling you what properties this product has, we should tell you in detail about its features.

It is white and dissolves well in ethyl alcohol and water. Esters of this ingredient are called citrates. In terms of its effects, this substance is classified as a natural antioxidant.

Origin story

Edible citric acid was first isolated from the juice of unripe lemons at the end of the 18th century. Today, most experts claim that this component is found in almost all food products, and is also part of huge amount and berries. By the way, citric acid was found even in pine needles and shag.

Scope of application

What is citric acid used for, the benefits and harms of which will be presented a little further? This product is actively used in the food industry. It is used as a good acidifier. However, some housewives use acid for household purposes. For example, thanks to it you can quickly soften hard water, as well as clean dishes or plumbing fixtures from dirt.

What else is citric acid used for? Recipes using this product are known to many chefs. This additive is often used to prepare various sauces, mayonnaise, ketchup, jellies, canned food, jams, as well as confectionery and other products.

It should also be said that citric acid is an excellent preservative. It is used to increase the shelf life of many products (fish, vegetables, winter salads, meat, mushrooms, etc.).

It should also be noted that this product is used not only to improve taste qualities certain dishes. After all, citric acid can change the structure of some products. For example, quite often it is added to As a result of this dairy product becomes elastic and easier to spread on toast. In this case, the calorie content of citric acid is zero.

Citric acid: benefits and harms of the product

We will talk about the dangers of this product below. As for the benefits, there is a lot of it in citric acid. In the process of cellular respiration, this substance is an integral link. This fact is due to the fact that citric acid has antioxidant and bactericidal properties.

The benefits of the product in question are beyond doubt, as it stimulates cell renewal, increases the elasticity of the skin and reduces deep wrinkles.

Many representatives of the fairer sex are familiar with For the skin this fruit can play the role of natural peeling. After all, it cleanses all areas well, evening out the complexion and masking existing defects.

The beneficial properties of lemon and citric acid are obvious, as it promotes the rapid removal of toxic substances through the pores. That is why such a substance is almost always added to various rinses and creams.

Harm and contraindications of citric acid

Undoubtedly, citric acid is very beneficial for the body. However, like any product, this substance has its contraindications. The harm of citric acid is that it negatively affects the condition of teeth. At excessive consumption This product has a high risk of caries. Therefore, experts recommend including citric acid in your diet in moderation.

What other harm can a citric acid solution cause to the body? When taking this substance orally, you must remember its strict dosage. It's too much large quantities product may cause severe irritation of the gastric mucosa. As a result of such exposure, a person develops erosion and ulcers.

What can be replaced?

If you were unable to purchase this substance in the store, then you can easily find a replacement. For example, in the food industry, instead of citric acid, regular acid is often used, because it is the natural source of this product.

When canning vegetables, mushrooms, fish and other ingredients, citric acid can be easily replaced with table vinegar.

How to dissolve correctly? Product price

Citric acid is food product in powder form, which is freely sold in all stores. It is packaged in packages of different sizes and can cost from 20 to 30 Russian rubles per 50 grams.

If in culinary recipe If this or that amount of citric acid is indicated, it is recommended to dissolve it before adding the powder to the dish. As a rule, the usual drinking water. The resulting solution is added to cream, sauce or dough. By the way, in the case of the latter application, citric acid is used for a reason, but to extinguish table soda. If you dilute the powder substance correctly, you can get very fluffy, tasty and aromatic baked goods.

Modern technologists consider the old, expensive method of producing such a common substance as citric acid from citrus fruits ineffective. The benefits and harms of the industrially synthesized food additive E330 - “lemon” - depend on many factors: the purpose and rules of use, as well as human health.

An irreplaceable product is used not only for cooking culinary masterpieces and in cosmetology, but also in medicinal purposes and in everyday life. Crystalline white citric acid powder is generally beneficial for the human body, but some precautions must be taken while consuming it.

Production of lemon juice and its chemical composition

For the first time, citric acid (the benefits and harms of which were studied later) was isolated from the juice of unripe citrus fruits by the Swedish pharmacist Karl Scheele. This happened in 1784 and since then in science this substance has been called the food additive E330, but the method of its synthesis has changed significantly. The technology for extracting citric acid from citrus fruits, tobacco stems and pine needles turned out to be very expensive, and the resulting amount of crystalline powder did not allow it to be achieved on an industrial scale. Therefore, synthetic antioxidants began to be produced using sugar-containing products (sugar beets or cane, molasses) and specific strains of mold fungi - penicillin and aspergillus.

The product is rich in vitamins C, A and E, as well as vital minerals - sulfur, phosphorus and chlorine. The chemical structure of E330 is a tribasic hydroxycarboxylic acid, the derivatives of which - salts and esters - are called citrates.

Properties of citric acid

Described food additive Easily dissolves in water and ethyl alcohol. When heated to high temperatures(over 175 degrees) breaks down, releasing carbon dioxide and water. A natural or synthetic antioxidant - citric acid - brings benefits and harm depending on the purpose and dosage.

The white crystalline powder has a low level of toxicity and is harmless to the body and the environment in reasonable quantities. In nature, “lemon” is found in most fruits and vegetables; it is easily recognized by its sour, slightly tart taste.

In what areas is it used?

In the food industry, citric acid is used as a flavoring agent, antioxidant and preservative. It helps maintain texture, flavor and appearance food products. Citric acid, the benefits and harms of which have been thoroughly studied today, is widely used in the manufacture of fruit jams, sauces, jellies, mayonnaises, confectionery, various canned food and processed cheeses. Due to its culinary benefits, the food additive E330 is used as: a flavor enhancer, giving products a piquant “sourness”; a natural preservative that destroys bacteria, fungi and mold, as well as normalizing the pH of products; vitamin C supplements; marinade for meat dishes, giving tenderness to the protein structure; enhancing the taste and reducing the acidity of wine.

Manufacturers of quality cosmetics value citric acid for its antioxidant properties. They help normalize the pH level of beauty products (creams and gels), bringing it closer to the natural balance of the skin; enhance the anti-aging effect of cosmetic products; have a depigmenting effect on the skin; effectively fight acne and its consequences.

In medicine, citric acid is a component of agents involved in the citrate cycle (Krebs), a central part of the catabolic processes that regulate the key stage of cell respiration. It helps relieve sore throat during colds and reduce the severity of a hangover.

In everyday life, citric acid is widely used as a cleaning agent: it can be used to polish a kettle to a shine and washing machine from scale, tidy up kitchen surfaces and silverware. Gardeners also recommend adding it to mixtures when feeding plants.

Citric acid: benefits and harm for humans

The medicinal properties of the food supplement E330, or “lemon”, produce a positive effect on a wide variety of ailments and deterioration in human well-being. Many people are often surprised by the advice of doctors who recommend drinking water with added citric acid when they have a cold to treat and relieve throat discomfort; drinking warm water with the additive E330, which cleanses the liver of toxins by stimulating bile secretion, and also frees the intestines from poisons and bacteria. Water with citric acid (it can bring benefits and harm depending on the concentration of the powder in the liquid) promotes the synthesis of bile and normalizes digestion.

One glass of this drink, consumed daily on an empty stomach, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves heartburn and constipation. In addition, lemon water cleanses blood vessels and arteries and serves good addition to primary treatment in people with hypertension. When rinsed, this drink has a bactericidal effect on the oral cavity, freshens breath, and gets rid of various germs.

For weight loss

Nutritionists quite often recommend that patients include water with citric acid in their diet in order to lose weight. Such a drink can bring benefits and harm to the health of those losing weight if you approach its use differently: adhere to or not adhere to the proportions during its preparation; eat right or not reduce the amount of junk food that contains excess salt, sugar and fats; monitor your health or ignore contraindications.

If you use “lemon” in dissolved form on an empty stomach, it will help reduce appetite and increase the viscosity of saliva, start metabolism, normalize the functioning of the stomach and cleanse the liver. At the same time, the calorie content of citric acid is 1 kcal per 100 g of product! Her glycemic index low, it does not exceed 15 units. It is very simple to prepare a detox drink by squeezing the juice of one lemon into 1000-1500 ml of water or adding 5-10 g of citric acid crystals. A piece of crushed ginger root will help enhance the effect of the cleansing cocktail. fresh mint and Melissa.

In cosmetology

People with problematic oily skin and enlarged pores on the face, citric acid (the benefits and harms in this case are determined by its concentration) as part of a mask or solution for wiping the skin (2-3%) helps to even out the complexion, giving it a natural matte tint, narrow pores, improving the surface texture skin, and also cleanse it, making it soft and pleasant to the touch. To prepare a peeling mask for the face with lemon, just a small pinch of the substance on the tip of a knife is enough.

In addition, hair becomes manageable when combed and returns a healthy shine if you rinse it with acidified water (a weak solution of citric acid from 0.5 teaspoon of crystals per 1000 ml of water) after washing with shampoo. This remedy is also good for health and improves the appearance of the nail plates: they become smooth and shiny. But you can’t use “lemon” too often in cosmetology; it is used in courses to solve a particular aesthetic problem, and then they take a break.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers, children and the elderly

What does citric acid bring to expectant mothers - benefits or harm to the body? Against the backdrop of the majority ban medical supplies for colds, tea with a moderate amount of citric acid (or natural lemon juice) will have a healing effect on the pregnant woman and the fetus.

A drink made from water and a few crystals of citric acid can be an indispensable remedy for relieving swelling from the extremities during pregnancy and after childbirth. In addition, lemongrass normalizes intestinal function and improves immune system and gently helps the body produce lactose. If packaging baby food is labeled with the food additive E330, and the child is not allergic to citric acid, then there is no reason to worry. However, you should not exceed the daily dose of this substance, which is approximately 50-60 mg per 1 kg of baby’s weight. If a child accidentally eats a lot of citric acid crystals, he needs to urgently rinse his stomach and call an ambulance.

In old age, a drink with citric acid helps improve vision, gives strength, relieves discomfort in the joints, prevents the process of blood clots, and is a good prevention of varicose veins. At diabetes mellitus warm drink from water with lemon significantly reduces blood glucose levels.

Contraindications and harm of lemon juice if used incorrectly

Experts recommend that before you start regularly consuming dietary citric acid, you discuss the benefits and harms of this practice with your doctor, and also undergo an examination to make sure there are no problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The harmless powder can worsen the condition in people with stomach diseases. Improperly prepared solutions with high concentrations of citric acid can cause stomach pain, vomiting and coughing in humans.

It is known that crystalline lemon powder, when it comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes and other organs, causes significant harm, causing their damage. For safety reasons, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the weak dosage of the substance indicated in the recipes. It is impossible to increase the concentration of citric acid on your own, as this can lead to irritation of the gastric mucosa and disruption of its integrity, the appearance of cramps, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, increased sweating and fever, bloody stools, increased urge to urinate, headache pain, increased blood pressure, weakness, nervousness and swelling.

Long-term use of citric acid negatively affects the structure of tooth enamel, causing its gradual destruction. Regular and uncontrolled irritation of the stomach lining with a strong lemon juice solution can also lead to gastritis and ulcers. It is necessary to strictly monitor your well-being while using citric acid, adhere to the daily dosage, and stop taking the drink with this product if the slightest discomfort occurs.

As the name of this substance suggests, it is squeezed out of lemon and then processed. This is exactly what the common man thinks when he gets acquainted with citric acid. However, this is not at all true. The main production method is sugar-based synthesis using special mushrooms. But today we will not talk about the origin of the name or how it is made. We will tell you the health benefits and harms of citric acid.

General information

You should know a little more about citric acid, since it is a very specific synthesized product. It is found in most of the food you buy in stores every day. We take it every day, so many are concerned about the question of how harmful or beneficial it is for our body. Let's figure out how it affects the human body.

Properties

Modern medicine has proven that citric acid is one of the best natural antioxidants. The toxicity level of this substance is extremely low, which allows it to be added to food with virtually no restrictions.

The following properties apply to chemistry:

when heated above 175 degrees Celsius, the substance breaks down into carbon dioxide and water;
mixes easily with other components;
easily dissolves;
decomposes quickly and does not pose a threat to the environment.

The specific composition of citric acid varies. It all depends on what products this substance was made from. There are plenty of ways to get it. It can be made from shag, citrus fruits, pine needles, as well as various fruits. But modern manufacturers neglect these methods; citric acid is artificially synthesized from sugar using mushrooms.

We are accustomed to the fact that the letter “E” followed by numbers is a horror for human health. This is not entirely true. There are certain groups of completely harmless substances with such labeling. These include citric acid (E330).

Scope of application

Citric acid is used in many areas.

In cooking, this is an excellent additive that gives food a special flavor. In regular supermarkets you can find this substance in mayonnaise, fruit jam, sauces, jellies, etc.
Aromatization. The substance is used to improve the aroma of tea, various drinks, etc. It is also used to extend the shelf life of products. (Citric acid is not a preservative, since the increase in shelf life is achieved by stabilizing the pH level).
Medicine is also one of the areas of application of this supplement. It is mainly used in products that take part in the citrate cycle.
In cosmetology, citric acid is almost as often used as in cooking. It is added to special masks and used for wraps. Of course, in small quantities. It has some skin whitening effect, helping to fight birthmarks and freckles. This additive can be used to make an effective hair rinse.

Now we mostly talk about what citric acid means to us. Which real benefit can it bring health? Is citric acid harmful to the body? Here are the main questions worth answering.

Pros of use

To list all the benefits of using citric acid, one small article is not enough. Therefore, we will focus on water with citric acid. There are many points here that you should try to remember in order to successfully apply them in the future.

Improves performance digestive system. Citric acid stimulates the production of gastric juice, so food will be digested faster. Experts recommend using it for slow metabolism.
With the help of lemon and citric acid you can cleanse the liver, and this really is true! This substance is an excellent liver stimulant. Thus, bile is released more intensely, which leads to improved functioning of the entire digestive system. Just one glass of water or tea with citric acid in the morning, and your liver will be ready to work all day.
Taking this supplement reduces the likelihood of various pustules appearing on the skin (boils, acne, pimples).
Copes with the elimination of toxins from the body. Has a mild laxative effect and diuretic effect. Gradual cleansing of the body and improvement of the digestive system will lead to the fact that your body will work like a clock.
For diabetics this is the number one product. It allows you to remove excess sugar from the body.
Cleanses the cardiovascular system.
Reduces blood pressure, which is useful for hypertensive patients.
Citric acid contains components that break down fats. Thus, with the help of this substance you can fight overweight. In addition, normalization of metabolism helps the body gradually independently stabilize body weight.
Freshens breath and destroys pathogenic bacteria in the mouth.
In medicine it is also used in medicines that strengthen joints and connective tissue. At regular use With this supplement, your tendons and ligaments will become stronger and stronger.
Improves the functioning of the immune system.
Many people know that citric acid copes well with hangovers. In case of intoxication, it is recommended to use it along with alternative drugs.

And that's not all beneficial properties. Don’t forget also how beneficial this dietary supplement can be in for domestic purposes. However, citric acid can harm the body. Fortunately, the disadvantages of using this substance are much less than the advantages.

What harm can citric acid cause to the body?

Experts do not recommend consuming citric acid in some cases. Or take it in strictly dosage.

Heartburn. In this state, the body reacts very sharply to any acid, including citric acid.
Ulcer. A very dangerous condition in which any irritation gastrointestinal tract can lead to disastrous consequences.

Many note the negative impact of this additive on tooth enamel. It is generally accepted that acid gradually corrodes it. Excessive consumption can lead to chipped teeth and tooth decay.

Allergy to citric acid is an extremely rare phenomenon, but still occurs in our time. In this case, its use is contraindicated. You will have to carefully monitor everything you eat, as many foods contain this substance.

The use of citric acid always involves small doses. Exceeding the dosage can result in gastrointestinal disorders, heartburn and even poisoning. Before you begin a citric acid cleanse or simple regular use, you should consult with a qualified professional.

Almost everything is useful in moderation. This rule also applies to citric acid.

Why is citric acid needed? The benefits and harms, the purpose of this product, as well as its properties will be presented in this article. In addition, we will tell you what can replace the ingredient in question, how it should be dissolved, etc.

General information

What is citric acid? The benefits and harms of this ingredient are known to few. But, before telling you what properties this product has, we should tell you in detail about its features.

Citric acid is a white crystalline substance that is highly soluble in ethyl alcohol and water. Esters of this ingredient are called citrates. In terms of its effects, this substance is classified as a natural antioxidant.

Origin story

Edible citric acid was first isolated from the juice of unripe lemons at the end of the 18th century. Today, most experts claim that this component is found in almost all food products, and is also part of a huge number of citrus fruits and berries. By the way, citric acid was even found in pine needles, Chinese lemongrass and shag.

Scope of application

It should also be said that citric acid is an excellent preservative. It is used to increase the shelf life of many products (fish, vegetables, winter salads, meat, mushrooms, etc.).

It should also be noted that this product is used not only to improve the taste of certain dishes. After all, citric acid can change the structure of some products. For example, quite often it is added to processed cheese. As a result, the dairy product becomes elastic and easier to spread on toast. In this case, the calorie content of citric acid is zero.

Citric acid: benefits and harms of the product

The benefits of the product in question are beyond doubt, as it stimulates cell renewal, increases the elasticity of the skin and reduces deep wrinkles.

Many representatives of the fairer sex know the beneficial properties of lemon. For the skin, this fruit can act as a natural peeling. After all, it cleanses all areas well, evening out the complexion and masking existing defects.

Harm and contraindications of citric acid

Undoubtedly, citric acid is very beneficial for the body. However, like any product, this substance has its contraindications. The harm of citric acid is that it negatively affects the condition of teeth. If you consume this product excessively, there is a high risk of tooth decay. Therefore, experts recommend including citric acid in your diet in moderation.

What other harm can a citric acid solution cause to the body? When taking this substance orally, you must remember its strict dosage. After all, too large quantities of the product can cause severe irritation of the gastric mucosa. As a result of such exposure, a person develops erosion and ulcers.

What can be replaced?

If you were unable to purchase this substance in the store, then you can easily find a replacement. For example, in the food industry, instead of citric acid, ordinary lemon juice. After all, it is the natural source of this product.

When canning vegetables, mushrooms, fish and other ingredients, citric acid can be easily replaced with table vinegar.

How to dissolve correctly? Product price

Citric acid is a food product in powder form that is freely sold in all stores. It is packaged in packages of different sizes and can cost from 20 to 30 Russian rubles per 50 grams.

If a culinary recipe specifies this or that amount of citric acid, then before adding the powder to the dish, it is recommended to dissolve it. As a rule, ordinary drinking water is used for this. The resulting solution is added to cream, sauce or dough. By the way, in the case of the latter application, citric acid is used for a reason, but to extinguish table soda. If you dilute the powder substance correctly, you can get very fluffy, tasty and aromatic baked goods.

Source

Every housewife has citric acid in her kitchen. The benefits and harms of this food additive for humans, as a rule, rarely become a subject for thought. But how can you be so inattentive to a product that we use so often? Let's correct this omission and go on a scientific exploration dedicated to citric acid.

Citric acid does not come from lemons

The name of the supplement directly indicates that it is extracted from the popular citrus fruit. In the 18th century, the Swedish pharmacist Scheele actually used unripe lemons to produce such acid. But in our time, extracting sour crystals, which are indispensable in cooking, from fruits is too unprofitable.

The acid, which everyone calls citric acid from old memory, is now extracted from sugar, sweet beets, molasses or sugar cane during fermentation in the liquid of mold fungi. Citric acid is a food additive, the benefits and harms of which differ significantly from other chemicals. In fact, it is a preservative and flavoring agent designated as E330, but it is premature to say that it is better to avoid its presence in any food or drink.

Valuable properties of the additive under the “E” sign

Citric acid, despite the fact that it is extracted chemically, has properties that fruits with pronounced sourness have. Not only chefs and connoisseurs are happy about this “E” culinary arts– Citric acid is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Intensive cleaning

Waste and toxins leave the body due to the effects of lemongrass. Also, this supplement will thoroughly clean your blood vessels, drive away bad cholesterol, and stop the silent onset of atherosclerosis.

Immune stimulation

In case of low immunity, during epidemics and in the off-season, it is very useful to add citric acid to water or tea. If you don’t have fresh fruits on hand, these sour crystals will help the body successfully protect itself from pathogenic bacteria and viruses.