Effects Of Citric Acid On People

Citric acid is considered a versatile organic acid by the food and pharmaceutical industries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies it as generally Recognized as Safe. Citric acid also occurs naturally in foods such as lemons. Citric acid is a key player in your body's ability to create energy. It can have many other effects within your body.

Energy Production

Citric acid may reduce physical fatigue and lessen physiological stress, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition. The study examined the effects of citric acid along as well as the effects of L-carnitine. Citric acid made a difference in subjective feelings of fatigue, whereas L-carnitine did not, says lead study author Tomohiro Sugino. Participants in the double-blind, placebo controlled trial took a placebo, L-carnitine or citric acid before exercising for two hours. Before exercise, levels of salivary chromogranin A, which is measured as a physiological stress marker, were lower in people who consumed citric acid than in people who had a placebo, Sugino notes.

Citric acid plays a key role in the Krebs Cycle, also called the tricarboxylic acid cycle, according to Wellesley College of Massachusetts. This is part of a metabolic pathway that your body undergoes to convert carbohydrates, proteins and fats into carbon dioxide and water, which generates energy in your body. When you exercise your muscles, this causes your body to consume adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, creating an energy deficiency, Sugino notes. Citric acid helps to boost ATP production, which lessens fatigue.

Diuretic

Citric acid serves as a mild diuretic in humans, according to the "Handbook of Food Toxicology" by S.S. Deshpande. For example, potassium citrate has been used in 10g daily doses for this purpose, according to the International Programme on Chemical Safety.

Dental

Citric acid may cause tooth erosion if large doses are consumed frequently, according to INCHEM. This is likely due to low pH. This effect would be seen with frequent doses of lemon juice that has 7 percent citric acid and a pH that's less than three, for example, Deshpande notes.

Alkalinizing Agent

Citric acid and sodium citrate will serve as an alkalinizing agent to make your urine less acidic, according to Drugs.com. This is used to prevent kidney stones, gout or metabolic acidosis if you've got kidney problems. Metabolic acidosis means there is too much acid in your body fluids, notes the National Institutes of Health, and occurs when your kidneys aren't removing enough acid from your body. This can cause rapid breathing, lethargy and confusion. Severe acidosis may lead to shock and death. Mild acidosis can be a chronic condition.

Side Effects

Taking citric acid and sodium citrate can have side effects. Serious effects include cramps or muscle twitching, swelling or weight gain, mood changes, weakness, rapid and shallow breathing, a fast heart rate, black or bloody stools, severe diarrhea, a restless feeling, or convulsions, according to Drugs.com. Seek medical attention if you have any of these symptoms. Also avoid using citric acid medicinally if you have kidney failure, heart damage, the adrenal condition Addison's disease, high blood potassium levels, have heat cramps or are severely dehydrated. Also consult a doctor before using it if you have a medical condition including heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure, urinary problems, swelling or chronic diarrhea.