Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid

Background

Tartaric acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). Alpha hydroxy acids are natural acids found in foods. Tartaric acid comes from grapes and wine.

When inhaled, tartaric acid causes coughing.

People use tartaric acid for asthma, swallowing problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse tartaric acid with other alpha hydroxy acids, including lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, and citric acid. These are not the same.
When taken by mouth: Tartaric acid is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if tartaric acid is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tartaric acid is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Tartaric acid is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if tartaric acid is safe to use as medicine while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Effectiveness

There is interest in using tartaric acid for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions

Dosing & administration

Tartaric acid is found in grapes, wine, and other fruits such as bananas. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of tartaric acid might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

It is not known if Tartaric Acid interacts with any medicines. Before taking Tartaric Acid, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.
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