Malic Acid

Overview

Malic acid is a chemical found in certain fruits and wines. It is sometimes used as medicine.

Malic acid is used most commonly for dry mouth. It is also used for fibromyalgia, fatigue, and skin conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

In foods, malic acid is used as a flavoring agent to give food a tart taste.

In manufacturing, malic acid is used to adjust the acidity of cosmetics.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Chemical

Primary Functions:

Dry mouth

Also Known As:

Acide malique, Acide (R)-Hydroxybutanédioïque, Acide (S)-Hydroxybutanédioïque, Ácido málico

How Does It Work?

Malic acid is involved in the Krebs cycle. This is a process the body uses to make energy. Malic acid is sour and acidic. This helps to clear away dead skin cells when applied to the skin. Its sourness also helps to make more saliva to help with dry mouth.

Uses

  • Dry mouth.Using a mouth spray containing a malic acid seems to improve symptoms of dry mouth better than using a saline mouth spray.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

SPRAYED IN MOUTH:

  • For dry mouth: Mouth sprays containing 1% malic acid alone or with 10% xylitol, and 0.05% fluoride have been used up to 8 times daily for 2 weeks.

Malic Acid Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Is malic acid bad for you?

Due to a lack of research, little is known about the safety of long-term or regular use of malic acid supplements. ... Although malic acid is generally considered safe when applied to the skin in the recommended amount, some people may experience irritation, itching, redness, and other side effects.

What malic acid is used for?

Malic acid is a chemical found in certain fruits and wines. It is sometimes used as medicine. Malic acid is used most commonly for dry mouth. It is also used for fibromyalgia, fatigue, and skin conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

How much malic acid is in an apple?

In apple approximately 80 to 90 % of organic acids is malic acid (Nour et al. 2010).

What foods are high in malic acid?

Malic acid is found in other fruits such as grapes, watermelons, cherries, and in vegetables such as carrots and broccoli. This acid is mainly used in food applications including candy and beverages.

Does malic acid damage teeth?

Carbonated DrinksNot only do soft drinks contain lots of sugar, but they also contain corrosive acids such as malic acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid. ... However, the acid content in vinegar can really erode tooth enamel.

What happens if you eat too much malic acid?

Due to a lack of research, little is known about the safety of long-term or regular use of malic acid supplements. However, there's some concern that intake of malic acid may trigger certain side effects such as headaches, diarrhea, nausea, and allergic reactions.

Is malic acid bad for acid reflux?

Tomatoes and tomato products are packed with malic and citric acid, both which can make the stomach produce too much gastric acid. Tomatoes can make your gastric acid levels rise high enough to make it force back up the esophagus.

Does malic acid cause kidney stones?

Malic acid is a precursor to citrate, a substance believed to prevent calcium from binding with other substances in urine that form kidney stones.

Can you eat malic acid powder?

When taken by mouth: Malic acid is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. Malic acid is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine. When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if malic acid is safe. It might cause side effects such as skin and eye irritation.

What are the side effects of malic acid?

Possible Side Effects

Due to a lack of research, little is known about the safety of long-term or regular use of malic acid supplements. However, there's some concern that intake of malic acid may trigger certain side effects such as headaches, diarrhea, nausea, and allergic reactions.

Which Apple has most malic acid?

Compared to sweeter varieties like Fuji or Golden Delicious, tart apples have higher levels of malic acid which is thought to boost metabolism and aid in detoxification.

Does apple cider vinegar contain malic acid?

In addition to acetic acid, apple cider vinegar may also contain a small amount of malic acid and citric acid. The pH of apple cider vinegar is about 2-3, which is considered mildly acidic.

Is malic acid a sugar?

In fruits, soluble sugars are mainly composed of sucrose, fructose, and glucose, whilst malic, citric, and tartaric acids are the primary organic acids (Mahmood, Anwar, Abbas, Boyce, & Saari, 2012). Fructose, glucose, and sucrose differ significantly in sweetness (Doty, 1976).

Is malic acid natural or synthetic?

Recommendation Advised to the NOSB: The substance DL-malic acid is synthetic. The substance DL-malic acid should not be added to the National List. Malic acid was petitioned to include its use in organic processing as a pH adjuster. Malic acid occurs naturally in fruits including apples and cherries.

How does malic acid whiten teeth?

The malic acid in strawberries will allow the particles that make stains on your teeth to break away, while the baking soda contributes to a whiter smile, and the brushing will help you remove stain-producing particles from your mouth.

Is malic acid good for your skin?

Whether it's in a lotion, cleanser, or light peeling agent, malic acid can help remove a buildup of dead cells. This is great for acne-prone skin. When the skin's pores get clogged with too many dead skin cells and the skin's natural oil (sebum), blackheads can form.

How much malic acid should I take?

There is no standard dose of malic acid that is recommended. Various doses have been used with adults in studies to investigate the treatment of different conditions. For example, for fibromyalgia, a product called Super Malic (malic acid 1200 mg and magnesium hydroxide 300 mg) was taken twice daily for six months.

Is malic acid safe to drink?

When taken by mouth: Malic acid is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. Malic acid is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine. When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if malic acid is safe. It might cause side effects such as skin and eye irritation.

Is malic acid a preservative?

Malic acid is widely found in fruit and vegetables. It inhibits the growth of yeasts and some bacteria due to a decrease in pH. Tartaric acid is present in grapes and pineapples. Benzoic acid is the oldest and most widely used preservative.

Clinical Studies