Glucaric acid, also called d-glucarate or d-glucaric acid, is a chemical found in several fruits and vegetables. While it is not considered an essential nutrient -- meaning your body can produce the chemical and it does not require external supplementation -- ingesting glucaric acid is thought to have a number of health effets. Since foods rich in the chemical tend to be healthy, including foods rich in glucaric acid can help you maintain a healthy balanced diet, while reaping any benefit of glucaric acid ingestion.
Brussels Sprouts
One healthy food rich in glucaric acid are brussels sprouts, reports the University of Michigan Health System. Brussels sprouts are a vegetable related to cabbage. Each stalk of sprouts contains a series of small leafy buds that each resemble a miniature cabbage. In addition to glucaric acid, brussels sprouts provide a source of dietary fiber, to help with digestive regularity, as well as antioxidants, which help fight cancer development. You can eat brussels sprouts mixed into stir fries, or steam, roast or sauté the sprouts on their own for a healthy meal.
Pumpkins
Another healthy source of glucaric acid are pumpkins. Commonly associated with fall and winter cooking, pumpkins are used as a key ingredient in sweet desserts such as pumpkin pie, in soups, and in casseroles, or are eaten on their own. In top of their glucaric acid content, pumpkins also contain high levels of carotenoids, an orange pigment your body converts into active vitamin A, reports the University of Illinois. When selecting a pumpkin for cooking, choose small fruits that feel heavy for their size, as they tend to contain sweeter, moister flesh. Canned pumpkin also allows you consume a great source of glucaric acid with greater convenience and shorter cooking times.
Apples
Apples are another source of glucaric acid, as well as other nutrients. An apple is a rich source of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber to promote digestive regularity. Apples also contain high levels of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and promotes healthy skin. You can incorporate apples into your diet as a snack on their own or sliced and served with nut butters, as an ingredient in baking, or on top of salads. The University of Illinois recommends eating apples with their skin on to gain all the nutritional benefits of the fruit.
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