Sodium citrate is a type of sodium salt that occurs naturally in the body and has several uses in food and medicine. Health supplements containing sodium citrate may have potential health benefits for treating certain diseases and improving exercise performance. Like any health supplement, consult your doctor before taking sodium citrate.
Buffer
In chemistry terms, sodium citrate is known as a buffer, meaning it can absorb hydrogen ions from acids and prevent large changes in the pH of solutions. This buffering capacity can help food and solutions remain stable over time. Additionally, buffers, such as sodium citrate, play critical roles in maintaining proper physiological conditions in body fluids, such as blood.
Treating Diseases
There are several diseases that may cause acidity levels in the blood or urine to rise, which are commonly known as acidosis. Acidosis may be caused by metabolic disorders, including chronic metabolic acidosis and diabetes. Solutions of sodium citrate are a common treatment for acidosis. Once ingested, sodium citrate enters the blood stream and absorbs hydrogen ions, reducing the acidity of the blood and urine.
Exercise
Ingesting solutions of sodium citrate may improve exercise performance, although research into this use has produced conflicting results, according to a study published in the February 2005 issue of the "Journal of Strength Conditioning Research." Lactic acid is produced during intense physical activity, which increases the acidity of blood. In theory, sodium citrate can help reduce blood acidity and improve athletic performance, although additional research is needed to clearly define the effect of sodium citrate on exercise performance.
Food Additive
You may notice sodium citrate as an ingredient in many types of food, such as yogurt. The buffering ability of sodium citrate can help prevent foods from becoming too acidic and delay spoiling. Sodium citrate has a salty and sour taste, although the levels present in food are not usually high enough to affect the taste.
References
- "European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology"; Sodium Citrate Ingestion and its Effects on Maximal Anaerobic Exercise of Different Durations; L. McNaughton and R. Cedaro; 1992
- "Journal of Strength Conditioning Research"; Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Citrate: Ergogenic Aids?; B. Requena, et al.; February 2005
- Drugs.com: Sodium Citrate/Citric Acid
- KidsHealth.org: Sodium Citrate and Citric Acid
- Wired.CO.UK: What's Inside Shape 'Feel Fuller' Strawberry Yogurt; John Emsley; February 2010
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