Characteristics of Malic Acid From Apples
If you have ever wondered what it is that makes biting into a cold, crisp apple or peach so satisfying, chances are you have never heard of malic acid. Aside from the good, slightly sour taste, malic acid has multiple other benefits--including therapeutic, physical and flavor benefits.
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Features
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Malic acid is an extremely mild type of acid found in apples, oranges and other fruits, and naturally in the body. Malic acid is a type of acid in the broader group called carboxylic acids, meaning molecularly that a carbon atom in it has a double bond with an oxygen atom and a single bond with another oxygen, among other bonds.
Flavor Uses
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Malic acid is widely used and known for giving a sour, smooth taste in whatever it is incorporated into. Other aspects of malic acid make it preferable in flavoring, such as high solubility, lower melting temperature than other similar acids, and its blending abilities and flavor enhancement abilities. Malic acid often reduces the need for a high amount of flavoring by adding its unique flavor to the foods or beverages and helping to blend different flavors into a well-proportioned flavor.
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Krebs Cycle
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The Krebs cycle is a well-known bodily process that occurs in the mitochondria of the body's cells. This process is related to stimulating the metabolism and increasing the energy of the body. Foods such as apples, peaches and other fruits--as well as most fruit juices--give the body the malic acid it needs to perform these functions. Malic acid is so important, in fact, that without it the energy production and metabolism in our cells would completely stop, effectively shutting down the body.
Fibromyaglia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Just as malic acid is important to basic bodily functions, it has been thought to help combat some diseases and conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Obviously, if malic acid increases energy production in the body, the effects of it on chronic fatigue syndrome can be immensely positive. For this same reason and others--such as the reverse of muscle soreness and fatigue and the reduction of joint tenderness--malic acid may also help those with fibromyalgia.
Supplements
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It's possible to find malic acid supplements over the counter and through prescription. It is generally not recommended for those who are perfectly healthy with a good amount of energy already, due to the fact that these people are probably getting adequate amounts of malic acid in their diets and too much of anything can be less than beneficial. However, it is sometimes suggested that those with low energy levels and poor muscle performance take a malic acid supplement to reverse and improve these effects.
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