can oxalic acid be dissolved by citric acid?

Question

spinach vegetable is rich in calcium, iron and chlorophyll but also cotains oxalic acid that can cause athritis or rheuma. Is it true that with the use of citric acid from lemon fruit and other citrus fruits can dissolved the oxalic acid in this vegetable?

Answer 1

Spinach contains oxalic acid. While this cleans our intestinal tract, oxalic acid binds with calcium and diminishes the absorption of calcium in our bodies.

Cooking turns the oxalic acid into crystals that could damage kidneys and limit the absorption of iron but cooking also breaks down cell walls and allow us to absorb more nutrients.

The oxalic acid contained in spinach can prevent your body from absorbing iron and calcium. To improve iron absorption, spinach should be eaten with foods that contain vitamin C.

P.S.

A controlled-environment agricultural (CEA) technique to increase the nutritive value of spinach has been developed. This technique makes it possible to reduce the concentration of oxalic acid in spinach leaves. It is desirable to reduce the oxalic acid content because oxalic acid acts as an anti-nutritive calcium-binding component.

More than 30 years ago, an enzyme (an oxidase) that breaks down oxalic acid into CO2 and H2O2 was discovered and found to be naturally present in spinach leaves. However, nitrate, which can also be present because of the use of common nitrate-based fertilizers, inactivates the enzyme. In the CEA technique, one cuts off the supply of nitrate and keeps the spinach plants cool while providing sufficient oxygen. This technique provides the precise environment that enables the enzyme to naturally break down oxalate. The result of application of this technique is that the oxalate content is reduced by 2/3 in one week.

This work was done by Corinne Johnson-Rutzke of Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., for Kennedy Space Center.

Answer 2

All fruits are fruit and vegetables. A "vegetable" is a plant, any part of which can be used for food.

Answer 3

In the superstore, fruits are usually chosen far too soon. Some are rocks, many are bitter. Some of the fresh vegetables are generally right (zucchini, onions, garlic, lettuce, greens, and a few others) so I'd have to go with vegetables.