Last Updated on October 13, 2024
Brain fog is not a new word. The sudden incapability of processing and storing information while studying or the helplessness of not being to perform accurate tasks at work. These are all indications of brain fog. Experts say there are a lot of remedies on how to beat brain fog. Some of them include managing stress, addressing food allergies, getting a night of proper sleep, and adopting a healthy food intake. The latest internet trend now is citric acid for brain fog – does it really work?
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Causes of Brain Fog
As mentioned before, brain fog has different causes, it can be caused by the food you eat or low-quality sleep. You should avoid unhealthy foods to take care of your mental state, like artificial sweeteners and refined carbohydrates, food that contains monosodium glutamate (MSG), alcohol, and others.
Other causes are iron deficiency anemia, stress, hormonal changes (especially during pregnancy or menopause), obesity, or certain medications.
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What Is Citric Acid?
Citric acid is found in citrus foods, particularly in lemons and limes which can be extracted or produced for various purposes, the most common use is as a food preservative. In its natural form, citric acid has antioxidant properties and it is essential in the metabolism of the human body. According to a study, it can remove aluminum from the body and improve the activity of other antioxidants.
Citric acid is in great demand for pharmaceuticals as well as other industrial aids.
Almost all the food we know has citric acid in it. Ample amount comes from citrus fruits such as tangerines, pomelos, grapefruits. Meanwhile, a lesser amount can be found in pineapples, grapefruits, tomatoes, cherries, and so on. Any product manufactured from these fruits still carries citric acid such as tomato sauce, beverages, and other food products.
Uses of Citric Acid – Citric Acid For Brain Fog
Industrial citric acid is one of the most used additives in the world. It is used for flavor enhancement, ingredient preservation, and boosting acidity. All canned goods contain citric acid. This is to avoid o protect consumers from botulism; a rare but severe illness caused by Clostridium botulinum, a toxin-producing bacteria.
Aside from that, most mineral supplements, such as calcium and magnesium, contain citric acid-processed as citrate. It is a revolutionary industrial main ingredient in pharmaceutical corporations because it helps preserve as well as stabilize the active components of each medicine. It’s also responsible for making a syrup-based medication or chewable tablet taste sugary.
Citric Acid vs Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – Citric Acid For Brain Fog
Both Citric acid and ascorbic acid occur naturally in citrus fruits, but they are not the same. Although both are used as a food additive, the main difference between these two compounds is their chemical structure and their functionality.
Ascorbic acid is Vitamin C and it is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is very important for the synthesis of collagen in our body and protein metabolism.
Our body can’t produce vitamin c by itself, so we have to include it in our diet. Some foods rich in vitamin C are chili peppers, guava, tomato, orange, thyme, kale, kiwi, papaya, strawberries, and broccoli.
Ascorbic Acid and Citric Acid have different health benefits. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is a nutrient recommended to take in our daily diet, between 75 and 120 milligrams per day.
Does Citric Acid Help With Brain Fog?
We become what we eat. Our diets affect how we perform and think. Thus, the food we intake affects our brain performance. An inflammatory diet regime that is excessive in refined carbs, sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats leads to memory impairment. It escalates your risk of illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Citric acid, apart from its remarkable usage in the industry, is advantageous for the health. One study also confirms that citric acid, as an additive, doesn’t harm the brain.
Although there are no reports that citric acid helps with brain fog, it has a beneficial effect on brain oxidative stress and neuronal injury. Vitamin C can prevent brain fog and inflammation in the brain due to its antioxidant properties.
As mentioned before, citric acid and ascorbic acid can be found in the same foods. If you include these foods in your daily diet, you will have the health benefits from both. Foods with high content in iron can help to reduce brain fog. Along with these foods, it is advisable to consume vitamin C because it increases iron absorption.
Aside from citric acid and ascorbic acid, foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and are also ideal due to their anti-inflammatory powers.
Foods that Contain Acid Citric and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
| Food | Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) mg/100g | Citric Acid mg/100g |
|---|---|---|
| Pineapple | 11.7 | 218 |
| Orange | 55.3 | 452 |
| Grapefruit | 45.4 | 1312 |
| Lime | 29.4 | 4124 |
Once brain fog is persistent, always seek medical care. Be observant and take some notes on how exactly your symptoms are. Plus, it’s smart to mention the changes in your lifestyle such as the variation of your diet, sleep schedule, and any other lifestyle changes. This makes your healthcare provider recognize the main cause of your brain fog.
Do you have unanswered questions related to citric acid and brain fog? Feel free to put them in the comments.
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Barbara is an environmental activist and sustainability advocate who loves living green and sustainable. She firmly believes in reducing her carbon footprint and has been making great strides towards achieving this goal. Barbara is a vegan and avid recycler and has been actively involved in community gardens and other green initiatives. She is passionate about spreading awareness about the importance of living in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Barbara is always looking for ways to make a difference in her community and beyond. She is a huge advocate for preserving nature and the planet for future generations.