Reduce Oxidative Damage And More With Tannic Acid

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 this phenolic 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), antioxidant (a substance that protects your body's cells from free radicals - dangerous compounds that are released as a by-product of oxygen based reactions within your body's cells), antitoxic (a substance that prevents the build up of harmful toxins within your body) and astringent (a substance that makes your body's tissues 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) and 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:

Eating natural tannic acid through food is believed to be safe. However, consuming high levels of tannic acid medicines or supplements can be harmful and has a number of nasty side effects. 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 cause serious damage when high levels of medicines or supplements are ingested, the amounts found in natural foods has no negative side effects. 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.