Oxalic acid is inherently poison, due to which plants are protected from insects and small animals. This substance can bring a person both harm and benefit. Oddly enough, products containing oxalic acid are most recommended for use. There is a lot of it in garden greens, fruits and berries. Why it is dangerous and how to protect yourself from the negative effects of this substance, everyone should know.
Properties of oxalic acid
Only in small quantities can this substance be safe and not cause harm to health. Oxalic acid interferes with the absorption of calcium, which causes its accumulation. A metabolic disorder negatively affects the joints and causes diseases such as gout, arthrosis and arthritis. People with sick kidneys, arthritis and gout should follow a certain diet that eliminates the ingestion of oxalic acid. All others can use it in limited quantities.
Benefits for the human body
With moderate consumption, oxalic acid can be extremely beneficial. Entering the body, it acts as follows:
- Beneficial effect on sexual function in men and prevents the appearance of infertility and impotence.
- Oxalic acid acts on motility and cleanses the intestines.
- It has antibacterial properties and protects the stomach from infection.
- Regular consumption of oxalic acid can prevent migraines, tuberculosis and rhinitis.
- Scientists note the positive effect of this substance on the functioning of the nervous system. People who constantly receive oxalic acid from foods are more resistant to stress and are mentally balanced.
- It is recommended for athletes to strengthen muscles and ligaments.
In short, the benefits of this substance are not in doubt. Unfortunately, oxalic acid can be harmful in addition to its benefits.
Contraindications
As a rule, harmful compounds appear after cooking food. In the presence of failures in the human body, even a small dose of oxalic acid can cause irreparable harm. In such cases, the following symptoms may occur:
- Respiratory system function is impaired.
- The condition of blood vessels and heart is noticeably worsening.
- Diarrhea or constipation appears.
- Unpleasant sensation in the groin area.
However, it is not an indispensable product. Rather, it is an intermediate element of metabolism. Scientists have calculated the norm of oxalic acid, which is not more than 50 mg.
What foods contain oxalic acid
The greatest amount of this substance are products of plant origin. Among them, leaders are rhubarb and spinach. For example, in one serving of braised rhubarb contains more than 800 mg of this substance. Frozen spinach has 600 mg of oxalic acid, and boiled spinach has 720 mg. Carambola is especially dangerous. It contains a substance that adversely affects the kidneys. Together with oxalic acid, this component is extremely undesirable for people with kidney failure.
The list of products containing oxalic acid is as follows:
- The safest, in terms of the presence of this substance, are products such as eggplant, eggs, cottage cheese and kefir, as well as orange pumpkin and fresh peas.
- A little more acid is contained in bananas, boiled potatoes and white cabbage. From them you can safely cook dishes for the daily menu, without fear of getting a large dose of acid.
- People with sore joints are better off refraining from tomatoes, onions, and boiled beets. It is also undesirable to drink black tea and coffee.
- If there are kidney stones, sorrel, chocolate and celery should be discarded.
A lot of oxalic acid is found in exotic fruits. List of products containing oxalic acid in ascending order: lemon, okra, lakonos, chard. Ginger and white pepper stand out among seasonings . Some crops also contain oxalic acid. These include: corn, beans, roasted peanuts and lentils.
Tea and drinks
One cup of black tea or instant coffee contains about 30 mg of this substance. Much less oxalic acid will include chamomile, raspberry, or sage tea. Green tea has only 12 mg of this product in its composition, and white slightly more than 15. Compote from dried fruits, on the contrary, significantly reduces the amount of oxalic acid in the human body. This action, as was noted, have dried pears and apples.
Who leads
Each group of products containing oxalic acid and oxalic salts has its own leaders. So, among meat and fish products, pork liver, sardine and bacon have the highest amount of oxalic acid. In contrast, chicken is virtually acid free.
Among the confectionery, chocolate comes first, followed by marmalade and cookies.
Thus, we can conclude that the following products provoke the appearance of stones: sorrel, spinach, chocolate, peanuts, sardines, coffee and black tea. The last two products remove fluid from the body, which leaves a large amount of salts that transform stones. Sardines and mushrooms, among other things, significantly increase the amount of urine that the body does not have time to remove. This also in turn leads to the formation of stones.
Due to the heat treatment of greens containing a large amount of oxalic acid, it passes from an organic to an inorganic state. Therefore, dishes such as rhubarb jelly or sorrel borsch should be reduced to a minimum. Spinach is best consumed fresh and not cooked.
Oxalates in the human body
According to statistics, most often these substances are found in people with various kidney diseases. To identify stones and get rid of them in time, you should take urine for tests at least once every two years. The norm of oxalate content should not exceed 20 mg. Their presence in the urine indicates that the body has disrupted the oxalic acid metabolism. There may be several reasons:
- Sometimes this happens due to the characteristics of the body. The tendency to form stones is inherited, and people who already have such cases in their families should follow a diet.
- Doctors note the relationship between synthetic vitamin C and the formation of oxalates. Thus, fans of vitamin supplements are at risk.
- Stress and great physical exertion also provoke urolithiasis.
Symptoms of a large number of oxalates can be the following: pain in the abdomen, blood in the urine, decreased performance and frequent dizziness.
How to get rid of oxalates
Effectively get rid of these substances will help medical nutrition. All foods containing oxalic acid are excluded from the daily menu . First of all, it is sorrel, rhubarb, chocolate, strawberries, beets, tea and coffee. It is recommended to use decoctions of the following formulations:
- The peel of apples, pears and quinces is poured with cold water and simmer for 30 minutes. In the resulting broth, you can add a little sugar to taste and use it as compote.
- The leaves of blackcurrant and pear are dried, and in winter they are used instead of tea. Brewed like ordinary tea with the expectation: two tablespoons per half liter of boiling water.
- Doctors recommend eating dried fruits and making compotes out of them.
In case of urolithiasis, the list of products containing oxalic acid should be eliminated.
To neutralize acid, all dishes are made from alkaline products. These include garlic, oatmeal, cabbage, cottage cheese and other dairy products, as well as boiled fish and eggs. It is recommended to consume as much calcium, antioxidants, potassium and magnesium as possible.