Especially in summer, when it is very hot, I like to drink a glass of juice for a change. Lemonade I like especially. This year I would like to try different herbal syrups.
However, in just about every recipe one finds above all an additive that bothers me a little: the citric acid.
But does it always have to be involved? Or is it possible without it? And what exactly do I find so bad about this popular food additive? We want to get to the bottom of it now ...
If you look at the pack of white powder that smells strongly of lemons before your eyes, will you perhaps now think what is so bad about it? Well, with real lemons, the powder has not been around for a long time - even if they are always shown on various products and packs so beautiful!
The Aspergillus niger
In industrial production , corn or sugar beet and molasses are fermented with the aid of a mold, the Aspergillus niger. The use of genetically manipulated forms of this fungus is not excluded! Especially with products from the USA or China it is to be expected that the original plants have already been genetically modified and that the nutrient medium has been treated with antibiotics ... And with all the products already containing citric acid as a food additive, it is simply incomprehensible where she comes from.
The fact that a mold is involved in the production of citric acid,can certainly be important for people with an increased allergy potential . If you are sensitive then you should avoid products with the acid in any case.t If you are sensitive then you should avoid products with the acid in any case.
The citric acid attacks the tooth enamel of the teeth
- immediately after consumption. The longer the acid can affect the enamel, the greater the risk of caries and irreparable tooth damage. Especially in combination with the high sugar content, the citric acid-containing products often prove, this effect is further enhanced. This is especially important for the nutrition of children. Because especially the popular fruit gums, lollipops and sweet thirst quenchers do great harm here - and that already in the milk teeth!
Citric acid promotes the absorption of metals
such as lead and aluminum into the blood and facilitates the transport of these substances into the brain through a weakening of the blood-brain barrier. While the citric acid is being mined here, the metals remain and accumulate there. In particular, aluminum is suspected to favor the development of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.
Does that mean that I should no longer eat citrus fruits?
The composition in real fruits is quite different or always depends on the total components of vitamins and nutrients of a food. Real lemons are absorbed by our body quite differently and we can certainly benefit from their health properties in return for an isolated concentrate.
Occurrence:
Citric acid even comes in baby food and baby teas! Also in finished products, bakery products, confectionery, jams, preserves, dairy products and of course in juices and soft drinks. Even for organically grown food, it is approved as a food additive! Pay attention to the list of ingredients: citric acid / citric acid is also listed under the additive E 330.
As a cleaning agent citric acid is versatile. It has a strong decalcifying effect
and is used in home-made cleaning agents, dishwashing powders,
as rinse aid or in washing powder.
Is there an alternative?
Yes, they exist! There are some recipes that do without citric acid. Instead, simply by several more fresh lemons or the juice of it are used. (You can also mix limes with it).
The quantities are somewhat difficult to do because the acidity of lemon juice varies greatly. And it's also a matter of taste, like lemon-souryou like your juice. So that would be to try.
As a guideline: 5 g of citric acid correspond to 80 ml (or about 7 tablespoons) of lemon juice.
If the bottles are well cleaned and the syrup is bottled hot, there should be no problems regarding shelf life. The sugar also preserves.
Have fun with juice-without-citric acid preparation and good luck =)
Maybe you have already experienced this? Then I would be very happy if you would like to share your success with me.
Especially in summer, when it is very hot, I like to drink a glass of juice for a change. Hollersaft I like lespecially. This year I would like to try different herbal syrups.
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