What is citric acid for? The benefits and harm, the purpose of this product, as well as its properties will be presented in this article. In addition, we will tell you about how you can replace the ingredient in question, how it should be dissolved and so on.
general information
What is citric acid? The benefits and harms of this ingredient are few known. But, before telling you what properties this product has, you should tell in detail about its features.
Citric acid is a white crystalline substance that is highly soluble in ethanol and water. The esters of this ingredient are called citrates. By its effect, such a substance belongs to natural antioxidants.
Origin history
For the first time, citric acid was isolated from the juice of unripe lemons at the end of the 18th century. Today, most experts claim that this component is found in almost all food products, and is also part of a huge number of citrus fruits and berries. By the way, citric acid was found even in needles, Chinese magnolia vine and shag.
Scope of application
What is citric acid used for, the benefits and harms of which will be presented a bit further? This product is actively used in the food industry. It is used as a good acidifier. However, some housewives use acid for domestic purposes. For example, thanks to it, you can quickly soften hard water, as well as clean dishes or plumbing from pollution.
What else is citric acid used for? Recipes using this product are known to many culinary specialists. Such an additive is often used for the preparation of various sauces, mayonnaise, ketchup, jelly, canned food, jams, as well as confectionery and other products.
We can not say that citric acid is an excellent preservative. It is used to increase the shelf life of many products (fish, vegetables, winter salads, meat, mushrooms, etc.).
It should also be noted that this product is used not only to improve the taste of certain dishes. After all, citric acid is able to change the structure of some products. For example, quite often it is added to cream cheese. As a result, the dairy product becomes elastic and spreads more easily on toast. In this case, the caloric content of citric acid is zero.
Citric acid: benefits and harms of the product
We will talk about the dangers of this product just below. As for the benefits, it is a lot in citric acid. In the process of cellular respiration, this substance is an integral part. This fact is due to the fact that citric acid has antioxidant and bactericidal properties.
The benefit of the product in question is not in doubt, since it stimulates cell renewal, increases the elasticity of the skin and reduces deep wrinkles.
Many women are known for the beneficial properties of lemon. For the skin, this fruit can play the role of natural peeling. After all, it well cleanses all integuments, evening complexion and masking existing defects.
The beneficial properties of lemon and citric acid are obvious, as it contributes to the rapid elimination of toxic substances through the pores. That is why such a substance is almost always added to various rinses and creams.
Harm and contraindications of citric acid
Undoubtedly, citric acid is very beneficial for the body. However, like any product, this substance has its contraindications. The harm of citric acid is that it negatively affects the condition of the teeth. Excessive use of this product is more likely to cause caries. Therefore, experts recommend including citric acid in their diet in moderation.
What other harm can the citric acid solution do? Taking this substance inside, you must remember about its strict dosage. After all, too large quantities of the product can cause severe irritation of the gastric mucosa. As a result of such exposure, erosion and an ulcer are formed in humans.
What can be replaced?
If you were not able to purchase this substance in the store, then it can be easily found a replacement. For example, in the food industry, ordinary lemon juice is often used instead of citric acid . After all, it is he who represents the natural source of this product.
When preserving vegetables, mushrooms, fish and other ingredients, citric acid can easily be replaced with table vinegar.
How to dissolve correctly? Product price
Citric acid is a powder food product that is freely available in all stores. It is packaged in packages of different volumes and can cost from 20 to 30 Russian rubles per 50 grams.
If a culinary recipe indicates a certain amount of citric acid, then before adding the powder to the dish, it is recommended to dissolve it. As a rule, ordinary drinking water is used for this. The resulting solution is introduced into a cream, sauce or dough. By the way, in the case of the last use, citric acid is used for a reason, and to extinguish table soda. If the powder substance is properly diluted, then at the output you can get very magnificent, tasty and aromatic pastries.