Citric Acid: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Cost, and Side Effects (2024)

FAQs

What is the side effect of citric acid? ›

Still, there have been reports of sickness and allergic reactions to the additive. One report found joint pain with swelling and stiffness, muscular and stomach pain, as well as shortness of breath in four people after they consumed foods containing manufactured citric acid ( 4 ).

You can use a strong base like NaOH (sodium hydroxide) to neutralize citric acid. If you do not have access to NaOH, something like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will also neutralize citric acid well. Dilute the base. Dilute your base the same way that you diluted the citric acid.

Citric Acid is measured to be high.

Elevated urinary citrate may be a sign of a metabolic pH imbalance (metabolic acidosis), possibly due to damaged proximal tubular function in the kidney that results in urinary wasting of citrate.

Because citric acid works as an additive, there is a manufactured version of it. Some people may be allergic or intolerant to this form, potentially leading to digestive issues and inflammatory responses.

Acidic food like lemons, limes and tomatoes have an alkalizing effect on the body after digestion, meaning they start out as acidic but then become more alkaline. Note that acidic foods do not cause issues like acid reflux or ulcers, but they may trigger the symptoms of heartburn/GERD/acid reflux in some people.

Lemon juice and lime juice are rich sources of citric acid, containing 1.44 and 1.38 g/oz, respectively. Lemon and lime juice concentrates contain 1.10 and 1.06 g/oz, respectively. The citric acid content of commercially available lemonade and other juice products varies widely, ranging from 0.03 to 0.22 g/oz.

Some creams include citric acid to help clear up skin infections. Other citric acid drugs that you take by mouth can lower the amount of acid in your urine. This can help prevent kidney stones. You might also take citric acid for metabolic acidosis, a buildup of acid inside your body.

Most people who have a citrus allergy experience symptoms after eating food or a drink made with raw citrus fruit. The symptoms are often localized, which means that you feel them wherever the raw fruit touched your skin. Symptoms include: intense tingling and itching of the lips, tongue, and throat.

Citric Acid works by exfoliating the upper layer of dead skin cells to help clean pores, even skin tone and soften and smooth the skin. AHAs can also be used as pH adjusters. pH adjusters are ingredients added to products to ensure they are mild and non-irritating – not too acidic (low pH) or too basic (high pH).

What does citric acid do to your hair? ›

pH Balancing: Citric acid helps balance the pH level of your scalp, which is essential for preventing dryness, flakiness, and dandruff. Natural Dye Remover: If you've had a hair dye mishap, citric acid can help fade semi-permanent hair color more quickly.

You should not use citric acid and sodium citrate if you have: severe kidney disease; decreased urination (or if you are unable to urinate); severe heart damage (such as from a heart attack);

Citric acid is protective; the more citric acid in your urine, the more protected you are against forming new kidney stones. Citrate, used in calcium citrate supplements and in some medications (such as potassium citrate), is closely related to citric acid and also has stone prevention benefits.

Hannah Jonasse, marketing director of ProNatural Brands, advises against using citric acid-based cleaners on the following surfaces: Marble: Citric acid can damage marble, stone, and granite surfaces by reacting with minerals in these products, potentially causing corrosion over time.