If you love the mouth-puckering flavor adding lemon juice gives to your water, then you are likely a fan of citric acid. This acid is present in the largest amounts in citrus fruits, especially lemons and limes. Citric acid also is found in other fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, cranberries, tomatoes and lettuce. It also has several uses as a food additive in addition to it being naturally present in foods.
Added to Sweets
Citric acid gives foods a tart or tangy taste. It is added to sweets that are flavored to give a lemon, lime or orange taste, like hard candies. Manufacturers also use citric acid as a flavoring in sherbet, and it is also added to ice cream. In addition to a flavoring, citric acid acts as an emulsifier in this instance, which stabilizes the combination of fats and liquids to keep them from separating from each other.
As a Preservative
Citric acid's chemical properties make it valuable as a preservative. It can be added to meat products during processing to preserve their shelf life. Citric acid or lemon juice itself also can be spread over lettuce to prevent lettuces from turning brown. Citric acid also is added to frozen foods to prevent their deterioration as they remain in their frozen state.
Forming Jams and Jellies
Citric acid has uses for canning as well -- it can be added to jams, jellies and other fruit preservatives to help them retain their gel-like texture. While citric acid is often added to canned tomatoes, you are not likely to find it in other canned vegetables, such as pickles or chutneys, because other acid forms like acetic acid are the preferred addition for flavors. Tomato sauces also contain citric acid, which gives the sauce a tangy flavor and helps to keep it thickened.
Antioxidant
Inside your body are free radicals, which are particles that can damage body cells, causing inflammation. Particles known as antioxidants can help to reduce the effects of inflammation, fighting off free radicals that can be in the air, foods and from secondhand smoke. Citric acid contains antioxidants that can help to fight free radicals. It can be added to a number of foods, including oil-based salad dressings. Citric acid also can increase the effectiveness of other antioxidants, such as vitamins found in your food.
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