Why Avoid Synthetic Citric Acid
In today's blog, we dive into the hidden dangers of synthetic citric acid and why you should avoid it.
First things first.
What we are talking about is not the citric acid naturally found in fruits, but the citric acid manufactured as a food additive.
Citric acid as a food additive is not natural citric acid; it is created through fermentation using the fungus Aspergillus niger, a type of mold.
Aspergillus niger is a potent allergen.
Food additive manufactured citric acid may be causing allergic inflammatory cascades.
Manufactured citric acid may be contributing to the inflammation seen in asthma, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, autistic spectrum disorder, and fibromyalgia.
The safety of manufactured citric acid has never been studied since it was granted GRAS status.
Why Avoid Synthetic Citric Acid
While citric acid is often praised for its ability to enhance flavors and preserve foods, there are numerous concerns surrounding its production and the health effects it can have on individuals.
The truth is that mass-produced citric acid and ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, have hidden GMO ingredients since the early 1900s. It's time we shed some light on this!
Inflammatory and Black Mold GMO Corn Byproduct
Many people are unaware that citric acid is derived from genetically modified black mold grown on GMO corn syrup, a fact that food manufacturers conveniently leave out.
This black mold, Aspergillus niger, has been used to ferment starches to derive citric acid.
Allergic Reactions and Unpleasant Symptoms
Those who experience allergic reactions and who have food intolerances to citric acid have symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, and hives.
The Benzene Connection
Citric acid is a known accomplice in the creation of benzene, a human carcinogen, inside food and drink products. The FDA still allows them to continue using this dangerous mixture of ingredients, despite clear data on the matter. This is a concern we all should be aware of.
Citric Acid is Everywhere
Citric acid is found in virtually all manufactured foods because it’s a flavor enhancer and preservative. It is even found in organic foods, which is why it is so important to read the ingredients in the products you buy and be knowledgeable about how the ingredients are created.
Processed foods that have citric acid: soft drinks, fruit juices, candies and sweets, jams and jellies, ice cream, baked goods, processed cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, sauces and salad dressings, snack foods, convenience meals, pickles, meat products.
The Truth About Citric Acid Sources
Many people are under the impression that the citric acid in today’s food comes from fruit. While citric acid does occur naturally in citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruits in significant quantities, the industry finds it too costly to derive their preservative ingredient that way.
The Process of Citric Acid Production
Citric acid production has become a refined and highly prized industrial process. However, significant modification of A. niger has taken place over the past several decades to increase production of citric acid and decrease the production of unwanted byproducts. This has resulted in countless generations of genetically modified mutant variants, now specialized for industrial-scale economics.
The Issue with Mercury Contamination
There is an ongoing issue with mercury cell technology in the production of many common food ingredients. Among hundreds of food ingredients that are potentially contaminated by mercury, studies show the three most common are high fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate, and, yep, citric acid.
How to Read Labels and Avoid Synthetic Citric Acid
Now that you are aware of the dangers of synthetic citric acid, it's important to remember to read labels and avoid this nasty chemical.
By making informed choices, we can contribute to a healthier lifestyle for ourselves and our loved ones.
