What is Calcium Citrate?
Calcium citrate, also known as tricalcium citrate tetrahydrate, is a citrate with good biocompatibility. It appears as white crystals or powder, has no irritating odor, and is slightly soluble in water. As a common food additive, it is widely used in life. The crystal water gradually loses water when heated to 100°C, and completely loses water at 120°C.
Calcium citrate is made by neutralizing the citric acid solution with lime milk, filtering, washing, and drying to obtain the finished product. Eggshells can also be used as raw materials, which are washed, crushed, and calcined to make lime milk, then neutralized with a citric acid solution, and then filtered, washed, and dried to obtain the finished product.
Related parameters:
| Item | Standard |
| Content(Ca3(C6H5O7), on the dried basis), w/% | 98.0-100.5 |
| Pb ,mg/kg ≤ | 2 |
| As ,w/% ≤ | 0.0003 |
| Fluoride,w/% ≤ | 0.003 |
| Heavy metals,w/% ≤ | 0.002 |
| Sludging to Hydrochloric acid,w/% ≤ | 0.2 |
| Loss on drying, w/% ≤ | 10.0-13.3 |
| Clarity Test | Pass test |
Recommended dosage:
| Food Name | Maximum usage(g/kg) |
| Juice and drinks | 5g/kg |
| Jelly and Jam | 6g/kg |
| Yogurt and fermented dairy products | 2g/kg |
| Cheese and milk powder | 3g/kg |
| Bread and bakery products | 3g/kg |
| Cakes and cookies | 4g/kg |
Tricalcium citrate is used as a kind of nutrition enhancer in food products and calcium supplement in drugs.
Calcium Citrate has a wide range of uses
1. Nutritional supplement
It is rich in calcium and vitamin C, which can provide the body with the necessary nutrients to maintain normal functioning of the body.
2. Relieve muscle cramps
Calcium deficiency may cause muscle cramps. Calcium citrate tablets can help relieve this symptom and are suitable for patients with hand and foot cramps.
3. Support dental health
Sufficient calcium helps maintain the strength and health of teeth and prevents problems such as caries and periodontal disease.
4. Maintain bone health
Calcium citrate helps maintain the normal structure and function of bones and prevents osteoporosis and fractures.
5. Improve digestive function
Calcium citrate helps improve digestive function and is suitable for people with indigestion.
User asked question:
Q: Are calcium citrate and calcium carbonate the same substance? If not, what is the difference?
A: 1. Calcium content: Calcium citrate contains less calcium and needs to be taken in large quantities to achieve the purpose of calcium supplementation; calcium carbonate contains more calcium and can achieve the purpose of calcium supplementation by taking an appropriate amount.
2. Absorption: Calcium citrate can be dissolved in water and is easy to be absorbed by the stomach and intestines; calcium carbonate has poor water solubility and is difficult to be absorbed by the stomach and intestines.
3. Applicable population: Since calcium carbonate contains more calcium, it is suitable for people with severe calcium deficiency and osteoporosis; calcium citrate is suitable for children, pregnant women, and other people, and also for people with gastrointestinal diseases.
4. Side effects: Since calcium citrate is easier to absorb, it will not irritate the stomach and intestines; calcium carbonate is more difficult to absorb and requires a lot of gastric acid to decompose, which may cause abdominal distension and indigestion.
Q: Which foods can hinder calcium absorption?
A: What foods affect calcium absorption varies from person to person, and usually depends on whether you consume high-oxalate foods, high-fat foods, foods high in tannic acid, foods high in phosphates, and caffeinated beverages. It should be noted that these foods may affect the body’s calcium absorption, but fundamentally, they have no therapeutic effect.
