The Claim
Dietary intake of citric acid and malic acid increases systemic acid load and contributes to a reduction in systemic pH.
What the research says
Challenges is higher
Challenge is ahead, but a single strong supporting study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Consuming citric acid and malic acid through food increases the amount of acid in the bloodstream and lowers the pH of the body's internal environment.
See the scientific wording
Dietary intake of citric acid and malic acid increases systemic acid load and contributes to a reduction in systemic pH.
When you eat citric acid or malic acid, your body breaks them down in a way that produces bicarbonate, which neutralizes acid in your blood. This makes your blood slightly less acidic, and your kidneys respond by excreting more citrate in the urine to help balance the system.
What the research says
2 studiesEven though citric and malic acids sound acidic, when you eat them in fruits and veggies, your body turns them into something that makes your urine less acidic — the opposite of what the claim says. So eating these acids doesn’t make your blood more acidic.
The study found that eating malic acid made urine less acidic, meaning the body was getting rid of acid, not building it up — so it actually makes the body less acidic, not more. This is the opposite of what the claim says.
Related videos
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 2 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.