There are a variety of benefits we can derive from citric acid, from Vitamin C for our bodies to fragrant and healthy skin to environmentally-friendly cleaning agents. Not bad!

Manufactured Citric Acid

But you must be careful in shopping for citric acid. Manufactured Citric Acid (MCA) is as concern. Most manufacturing processes use a form of black mold, Aspergillus niger, which may actually harm your heath.  

Vitamin C

Our bodies like vitamin C and since we cannot make our own, we need vitamin C from our diets. Luckily there are many tasty ways to get vitamin C, especially from citrus fruits (e.g., lemons, limes) as well as other fruits like pineapples and strawberries.

Vitamin C promotes a number of healthy body functions, from our immune systems and wound healing to guarding against the common cold and perhaps even various cancers. In the 1970’s Nobel laureate and famed vitamin C proponent, Dr. Linus Pauling, argued for at least 250 mg/day and optimally 2,000 mg/day. More recently, the Linus Pauling Institute weighs in at 400 mg/day.

Skin Care

In addition to healthy benefits inside our bodies, citric acid can help on the outside too. People have used fruits and fruit juices for thousands of years to promote beautiful skin. Many fashionable boutiques offer (fairly pricey) skin treatments based in citric acid. You can enjoy much of the same in the comfort of your own home (and for less money). Here is a recipe for a homemade peel for your skin’s health… you might consider replacing the aspirin with willow tree bark powder if you want to avoid grinding the aspirin tablets.

Environmentally-friendly Cleaning Agent

Not only can citric acid help clean your skin but it can clean around the house too! As a cleaning agent, citric acid is friendlier to our environment than many conventional cleaning agents. As an added bonus, you can even make your own! Check out this recipe from wikiHow.