Citric acid is a weak acid found naturally in a variety of fruits and vegetables, but is most commonly associated with citrus fruits. It is responsible for their tart and sour taste. Citric acid is also widely used as a preservative and additive in stock concentrates, soft drinks, jams and preserves, canned fruit and fruit flavor sweets. It is useful for patients with kidney stones dues to its ability to inhibit stone formation.
Lemons and Limes
Of all of the fruits, lemons and limes are the richest sources of citric acid. They provide the most citric acid per gram, and can most significantly contribute to the citric acid content of your urine. If you have kidney stones, drinking 4 oz. of pure lemon juice or 32 oz. of lemonade has the same effect as consuming the medication potassium citrate that is used for treatment.
Other Citrus Fruits
Oranges and grapefruits, among other citrus fruits, contain moderate amounts of citric acid. According to a quantitative assessment of citric acid in various fruit juice products, published in the March 2008 issue of the "Journal of Endourology," grapefruit and orange juices contain the most citric acid behind lemon juice. In general, the more sour the fruit, the higher the citric acid content.
Berries
Except for blueberries, almost all berries contain moderate amounts of citric acid. You'll find it in strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants. Redcurrants are particularly high in citric acid -- they can even replace lemon juice in jam recipes.
Stone Fruits
Behind malic acid, citric acid is the second most prevalent naturally-occurring organic acid in stone fruits including peaches, nectarines and plums, according to James LaRue, author of "Peaches, Plums, and Nectarines: Growing and Handling for Fresh Market". It is present either as an acid or as a salt, such as potassium citrate.
References
- UW Hospital Metabolic Stone Clinic: Citric Acid and Kidney Stones
- "Journal of Endourology"; Quantitative Assessment of Citric Acid in Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Commercially-Available Fruit Juice Products; Kristina Penniston MD et al.; 2008.
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
- Juicer Tips: Which Fruit Juice Is Low In Citric Acid?
- "Journal of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry"; Determination of organic acids in Vaccinium berry standard reference materials; Phillips et al.; 2010.
- "Peaches, Plums, and Nectarines: Growing and Handling for Fresh Market"; James H. LaRue; 1989.
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