subject: Want To Detox Your Body? Then Give Tannic Acid A Try [print this page] Tannic acid is a phenolic acid that has divided opinions across health circles. It has a number of significant health benefits but it also has a number of potentially harmful effects. In this article I will be looking at both sides of the argument and providing a full overview of tannic acid.
1) DISCOVERY:
It is not known who discovered tannic acid although it is believed to have been discovered around 1830.
2) HEALTH BENEFITS:
Tannic acid is a powerful antibacterial (a substance that prevents the growth of bacteria), antimutagenic (a substance that prevents genetic mutations) and antioxidant (a substance that protects your body's cells from free radicals - dangerous by-products of oxygen related reactions), antitoxic (a substance that fights harmful toxins) and astringent (a substance that causes the body's tissues to contract). It can also prevent diarrhea.
In addition to the above, early studies suggest that this phenolic acid may have a useful role to play in the prevention of various disease including Alzheimer's disease (a mental disorder which causes the loss of memory, thought and speech), cancer (a disease which leads to rapid, uncontrollable cellular growth), diabetes (a disease which causes your blood glucose to reach dangerously high levels). However, further evidence is required before these health benefits can be confirmed.
3) FOOD SOURCES:
The exact amount of tannic acid in foods is not known but it can be sourced from a wide range of fruits, vegetables, teas and wines. Some of the best food sources include apricots, asparagus, blackberries, broccoli, cabbage, chocolate, grapefruits, grapes, green tea, lemons, limes, melons, oranges, peas, pineapples, spinach and wine.
4) OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS:
Consuming tannic acid naturally through your diet is believed to be safe. However, taking large amounts of tannic acid medicines or supplements can be dangerous and have a number of nasty overdose symptoms. These overdose symptoms include causing cancer, damaging the kidneys, damaging the liver, damaging the protective lining of the stomach, interfering with digestion and interfering with the absorption of certain nutrients (particularly iron).
5) SUMMARY:
Although tannic acid can be very dangerous when high levels of medicines or supplements are consumed, the amount found naturally in food has no reported side effects to date. The foods that contain this phenolic acid are also rich in many other health boosting vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. So if you want to take advantage of tannic acid and avoid the risks associated with its consumptions, fill up on fruits, vegetables, tea and treat yourself to the occasional glass of wine.
