Food Acids

Food acids are the important acids found in natural food products that give them a distinct flavor or a tinge. Human body tends to react differently to different types of food acids. There are different types of food acids like the citric acid, malic acid and tartaric acid that are naturally occurring food acids.

Most of the food acids are sourced from the fruits like lemon, orange, berries, plums, etc. While the human body easily accepts the natural food acids found in these fruits, there are acids that the body is not familiar with and does not accept them. They are the unhealthy acids that cause irritation and inflammation in the body.

Natural Food Acids

Wholesome Food Acids

Natural Food acids are the only edible acids among the huge list of food additive acids. They are the food constituents that are responsible for a tangy taste in certain fruits. As mentioned above the naturally occurring food acids are citric acid, malic acid and tartaric acid. Also known as the wholesome acids, these food acids are found in the natural fruits that have a sharp taste like the cranberries, grape berries,bilberry, plums, cherries, oranges, guava, grapefruits, pineapples, apples, peaches and other seeded fruits. Tartaric acid is found in grapes, pineapples and potatoes. Without the presence of these acids these fruits may taste bland.



These food acids are available from the natural resources except phosphoric acid. The presence of acid in a fruit determines many things like food preservation and jam and jelly setting etc. These acids have antioxidant and preservation properties as well. The most commonly used food acid is citric acid. Phosphoric acid is used in aerated drinks along with carbon dioxide.

Unwholesome Food Acids

The other category of the unwholesome food acids consist of oxalic acid, benzoic acid, uric acid and the tannic acid. All these food acids are added to make the food flavors sharper. Besides adding a distinct tangy flavor acids in foods also act as antioxidants and preservatives. This is the reason why vinegar is used to preserve fruits and vegetables in the form of pickles. The common acids in foods that are considered to be unwholesome acids are found in food products like tea, cocoa, pepper, rhubarb, spinach, etc. Body usually has its own systems for dealing with such acids in case they are consumed in excess. It usually processes these acids and pushes them out as waste materials. But consuming a lot of unwholesome food acids puts pressure on the kidneys and may cause them harm in the longer run.

List of Foods Acids/Acids In Foods

Acid	Source
Citric Acid	Citrus fruits- lemon, orange
Malic Acid	Apple
Tartric Acid	Grapes, pineapples, potatoes, carrots
Acetic Acid	Vinager
Oxalic Acid	Tea, cocoa, pepper
Tannic Acid	Tea
Caffeotannic Avid	Coffee
Benzoic acid	Cranberries, prunes and plums
Butyric acid	decomposition of butter
Lactic acid	Milk Digestion