If you've ever wondered what puts the "fizz" in that popular "plop plop fizz fizz" antacid product, the answer is citric acid. A natural food preservative and effervescent, citric acid is used in scores of medicinal, food and cosmetic products. You may also see it referred to as sodium citrate or sour salt. While the manufacturing process varies, all citric acid is considered "natural."
History
According to the European Citric Acid Manufacturers Association, or ECAMA, citric acid originated from the need to make a lemonade-style drink, while compensating for lemon's shorter shelf life. Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a chemist from Sweden, perfected the powdered formula in 1784 by crystallizing dried citrus fruits.
Composition
Citric acid exists in most life forms, including humans. In humans and other animals, citric acid helps the metabolism process. As its name suggests, citric acid is found at the highest concentration in citrus fruits like lemons and limes. Modern manufacturers produce the natural substance with an extraction and crystallization process using molasses and cane sugar. Some still use the original method of extracting citric acid from fruits. In either case, the resulting product resembles white powder.
Medicinal and Hygiene Products
Your doctor may suggest you take a citric acid product if your system needs alkalizing---in other words, it helps balance overly low pH levels in blood or urine. Metabolic acidosis and kidney stones are examples of two illnesses for which your doctor might suggest you take citric acid. The fizzing action also aids the delivery systems for antacids and pain relievers, and makes denture cleaners more effective. The terms "citric acid" and "sodium citrate" are often used interchangeably, but the latter is the result of citric acid neutralized with sodium hydroxide.
Food Uses
Food-grade citric acid is used much like lemon juice to preserve foods, bring out other flavors and, in some cases, to add tartness. Commercial and hobby candy and jam makers use it to stabilize gum-drops and other gelatin-like confections. Bakers know it as "sour salt" and use it extensively for products like sour dough bread. More than 50 percent of all citric acid produced is used in soft drinks for a citrus-like flavor or to bring out the flavor of other fruits, according to ECAMA.
Cosmetic Uses
Citric acid adds excitement to bath "bombs," bath salts and other spa-like products. It dissolves quickly in water, after sending up its famous fizzing effect.
Warning
If your child's pediatrician recommends that she take citric acid, KidsHealth.org suggests looking out for allergic reactions to the substance. Common allergic reactions to citric acid include hives and rashes, wheezing or swelling. Possible other side effects from citric acid in both children and adults include a dangerous rise in the body's potassium level, which could result in lightheadedness or weakness.Contact your doctor if the problems are severe and avoid any labels on food, drug or skincare products listing citric acid or sodium citrate in the list of ingredients.
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