Food

Sodium Citrate (E331): What You Need to Know About The Additive

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Sodium citrates occur in the human body’s carbohydrate metabolism. However, sodium citrate is also used as an additive in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Find out more about the substances here

What exactly is sodium citrate and where is it found?

Sodium citrates are salts of citric acid (E 330), which means they can also be produced industrially from citric acid. According to the additives database, the industry sometimes also uses genetically modified organisms.

A basic distinction is made between mono-sodium citrate, disodium citrate and tri-sodium citrate, each of which has different acid effects. Sodium citrates act in particular as a regulator for gelling processes with pectin.

In its natural form, citric acid is involved in important metabolic processes in the human body. As an intermediate product of the energy metabolism (citric acid cycle), it is a component of every living cell.

Carbon dioxide/bicarbonate, which is involved in metabolism.
Sodium, which shifts the pH value of urine into the alkaline range and thereby balances out excess acid in the gastrointestinal tract.

What foods contain sodium citrate?

Sodium citrates are approved for food as an additive. A maximum amount is not stipulated. However, only as much may be used as is absolutely necessary for the desired effect. You can find sodium citrate in:
sliced ​​packaged vegetables, fruit and peeled potatoes
fruit and vegetable preserves
jams, marmalades and jellies
condensed and dried milk
confectionery and desserts
meat products.

What can you use sodium citrate for medicinally?

counteract heartburn and relieve esophagitis in the event of excess acidity in the stomach and small intestine
soften the stool in case of constipation
alkalize the urine and treat elevated blood uric acid concentrations in gout
Dissolve uric acid stones in the kidney and bladder, which also form with gout
prevent the formation of new kidney stones such as calcium stones.
In addition, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries also use sodium citrate. Incidentally, sodium citrate is also added to blood samples as a 3.8 percent solution to inhibit blood clotting in the tubes.

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