Speaker 1: 0:00

Hey there, sunshine Now. I know you probably think citrus is good for you, and with good reason. It's a fruit right. We are talking about enjoying whole plant foods so that you can heal your body naturally and finally feel like doing all the things God has placed you on this earth to do. That's what we're all about. But here's the thing there's something about citrus that you may not be aware of, but if health is your goal, it's something you need to know, and we're going to be sharing that with you today so you can turn that puppy over, read the ingredients label even more informed and you don't bring home products that you think are good for you that could actually be harming you instead.

Speaker 1: 0:43

Hey sister, welcome to the Power on Plants podcast. Are you tired of staring into the fridge wondering what to eat so you can just feel better? Do you wanna avoid spending hours in the kitchen making complicated meals in the name of health? Would you love to leave fatigue behind and finally have the energy to do all the things you want to do? Hi, we're Jared and Anita Roussel, Christ followers, healthcare professionals, parents of four and big fans of great tasting food. We, too, tried exercising more, eating natural and clean foods, but we still found ourselves struggling with what we thought were changes that come with age or bad genes, and we weren't finding answers the traditional route. So we dug into the research and created our secret nutritional weapon sustainable plant-based living. The truth is, you can eat more whole plant foods and it's not hard. You just need the way that's realistic and delicious so you never feel deprived. If you're ready to enjoy your meals, no longer be held back by your health struggles and actively live your life, then you're in the right place. So grab your favorite plant-based cup of happy pop in those earbuds and let's get started.

Speaker 1: 1:53

I absolutely hate starting this off being up on a soapbox, but there are some things that just light me up, and one of those things is being lied to or tricked, and it happens a lot in the health and health food industry. We think we're buying something that's healthy. Oh, it's got everything on there we recognize, and you read the thing itself which you're buying, and maybe water, and then one other ingredient, which is the one we're talking about today, and you think, oh, this is fine, it comes from an orange or it comes from some type of citrus, and that ingredient is citric acid. So today we're going to open your eyes and share with you, if you've never heard of this before, why it's not a great additive to have in your food. You may want to.

Speaker 1: 2:39

After we talk about this, go and just look. I think you'll be surprised at how many things it's added to that are the better quality food products that you're buying. And you'll see it in there and you think, okay, why is it in there? Oh well, it's just a natural preservative, it's just citrus. Because of the name, citric acid we think of citrus, and that's where natural citric acid comes from. Well, it's one of the sources, right, Jared? I mean, it's not just in oranges and lemons. Citric acid is actually natural. It is found in God's creation. It is something he put in the food and it's actually good for us. So then, if it's good for us, why is it not good in the food products that we're buying today?

Speaker 2: 3:21

This is one of those things where it's very sneaky, and you mentioned, anita, that we're being lied to. But I think this is not a sin of commission but a sin of omission, because they're not really giving us the full details. They're not telling us everything about citric acid. Now, like you said, citric citrus oh, it's healthy, right, kind of like. One of our favorite illustrations for looking at the label is simply potatoes. Oh, it's simply potatoes. No, it's not. No, it's not. The front of the label is the billboard and it's lying to you, because there's way more in that product than just potatoes. But with citric acid, it is true that, yes, it does come from citrus fruits. That's where it was initially found and that was actually the original source whenever we started trying to purify it for other uses, like disinfectants within your home. I mean, that's a natural product, correct? It's used to help preserve food because it does have some antibacterial properties to it, but it's not just coming from citrus now.

Speaker 1: 4:23

So I think a lot of times the reason we see it in our food today it is used to preserve the food, so you'll see it in things that have minimal ingredients and it sounds natural. So you think, oh, this is great, you know, this is good, it's just citrus.

Speaker 2: 4:35

A perfect example would be canned foods. It's used to help prevent bacterial growth inside the cans, and if we're getting it from a natural source, that would be a great thing. But we're not getting it from citrus anymore, and we haven't been for probably about a century now.

Speaker 1: 4:50

So then we should be asking the question where is this coming from? How is it made If it's not being extracted from the citrus, which we know a lot of times? Extracting things from the full package that God put it in not generally a good idea.

Speaker 2: 5:04

Not always the best.

Speaker 1: 5:05

But here we see, it's not even being extracted from something natural, it's being created, and so what we should be asking is where is this coming from? And that's what we're going to answer for you today.

Speaker 2: 5:17

Where's it coming from and why does it matter? Because really the source is the primary issue with citric acid. Now, naturally, we find it in higher amounts with lemons, limes, grapefruit, pomelos, etc. You can also find it in smaller amounts in things like pineapple, strawberries, cherries, tomatoes. Sorry guys, tomatoes are actually a fruit, not really a vegetable. We call them a vegetable, but it is a fruit.

Speaker 1: 5:43

But isn't that funny, because that's not something I would normally consider citric acid being in, because you do think citrus, but it actually is in a lot of other fruits as well.

Speaker 2: 5:52

Correct, and it's probably in other foods too, in small quantities, but citrus, obviously, is the major one, hence the name citric acid. So if we're not purifying this from citrus, from lemons, limes, oranges, etc. Then where are we getting this? We are actually getting this from Aspergillus niger, which is called commonly black mold. Now, this is not the same black mold as what can be found in structures that have water damage completely different organism altogether, but can still have negative health consequences, which is why we're talking about it today.

Speaker 1: 6:24

Yeah, black mold is not something I typically think about wanting in or around my food at all.

Speaker 2: 6:30

Generally no Mold has never really actually been considered anything beneficial, especially even if you look biblically back in the Old Testament, like if something was contaminated with mold you had to try to clean it. You had to have the priest certify that it was clean and if you couldn't clean whatever the thing was, you had to destroy it. Whether it be a garment or whether it be your house, it has never really been for human health something beneficial. Now it has a place. I know that it will help decay dead material. So if you have a tree that falls in the forest it's not going to stay there forever. Why? Because you have molds and fungus and things like that that help break it down, but as a food source not the best.

Speaker 1: 7:10

So when things are used in the way they were created to be used, it's a great thing. It is, and we're thankful for it. We just need to ask should we be using it to create citric acid? Should we be using citric acid that we get from the black mold in our food? So you're saying that if you take a dietary supplement, you may be taking a dietary supplement that contains citric acid that has been harvested from or made by black mold.

Speaker 2: 7:39

Correct.

Speaker 1: 7:39

So that might not be the best dietary supplement to take either.

Speaker 2: 7:44

And it might be a good idea, even with the supplements themselves, to flip that puppy over Look and see what's on the ingredients list.

Speaker 1: 7:51

That's a great tip.

Speaker 2: 7:52

Many times they are hiding there in plain sight, especially if you're unaware of where those ingredients come from.

Speaker 1: 7:59

The thing is, though, it just gets so tricky because you look at it and you think oranges, lemons, limes, just with the name that we've named it. It's crazy that it could be something derived from a mold 90, something. 90, what percent of the time.

Speaker 2: 8:14

99% of what we see in our food supply is derived from black mold.

Speaker 1: 8:19

So in other words, it's virtually never from a natural source in the food.

Speaker 2: 8:23

Yes. Now what is citric acid used for? It's used to help boost acidity, it's used for flavor and it's also used as a preservative, like we mentioned previously. Citric acid, like we said, is not the problem itself, especially if it's in its natural form. If it's in the citrus, if it's in the strawberry, clearly that is not a problem, and long ago they used to purify it from citrus, but then, when the demand for it outpaced the ability to supply it from that source, they were able to find alternatives, and the one that was the most profitable, the most efficient, was using aspergillus niger.

Speaker 2: 8:59

Some of the benefits that we know of citric acid is that it can enhance the absorption and bioavailability of minerals like calcium. Now sometimes you'll see that in supplements calcium citrate. Now citrate is the salt form of citric acid, so they're very, very closely linked. The only difference is citrate has a few less hydrogen atoms and then it has a metal ion, so it could be calcium, potassium, sodium, but you could use them interchangeably. They're slightly different but related. When they first started manufacturing citric acid, this was before really the advent of the FDA, so this was already in motion, already being done, and so then, when the FDA came on the scene there. Older substances were just, quote unquote, generally recognized as safe, again without any safety studies being done on those, so the problem we want to highlight is not the citric acid In this case, though, is potential contaminants that come from the mold, which can act as allergens.

Speaker 1: 10:15

Makes perfect sense.

Speaker 2: 10:16

There is an article in Toxicology Reports published back in August of 2018 looking at citric acid as a food additive, and they were highlighting four different case studies where they looked at individuals where they had some type of inflammatory condition and it was noticed that when they ate products that had this manufactured citric acid in it, that their inflammatory conditions wors was noticed that when they ate products that had this manufactured citric acid in it, that their inflammatory conditions worsened and that when they eliminated it, that those inflammatory conditions got much better.

Speaker 2: 10:45

So what they concluded from the report while they said it was not conclusive, there was a definite link in those instances, like with one of the individuals he drank an energy drink that its second ingredient was citric acid, second only behind water. So when he stopped drinking it, his swelling in his knee went away and his other symptoms resolved. But then when he started back drinking that same drink, then all those symptoms came back and then again when he stopped it, symptoms went away. So I would say that's fairly conclusive that yes, something related to that drink was causing the problem.

Speaker 1: 11:21

It's a little more than concerning, let's put it that way. I mean, when you have something where you're drinking it, you get more inflammation. You stop it, you're less inflamed. You need to start looking at what's in that drink. And all these people were getting citric acid and they were all experiencing increased inflammation. Yeah, that's concerning. But again, you're saying it's not the citric acid itself, it's citric acid that has been derived from this black mold, correct? And so the concern really is the mold itself, the source, the thing that's making the citric acid.

Speaker 2: 11:55

Their conclusion was the potential for the contaminants from the black mold's making the citric acid. Their conclusion was the potential for the contaminants from the black mold is causing the inflammatory response, especially with the repeated exposure, since it's used in so many food items.

Speaker 1: 12:07

Lord have mercy. Okay, now I'm a little concerned because when you start looking in your pantry and you start turning that puppy over and looking at your salsa and looking at the hot sauce, you won't believe how many things contain citric acid. And remember, 90 something, percent, 99, right? Is that what you said?

Speaker 1: 12:26

It said 99% is what was found of citric acid that is in our food sources today that has been placed in there. We're not talking about natural citric acid, again from fruits. We're talking about the citric acid that's made by black mold. 99% of it in our food substances comes from the source of black mold, and so what they're saying is, the concern is the contaminants from the black mold that's in the food, and that's what we see being shown from this research study that you're talking about. That was in the Journal of Toxicology, correct.

Speaker 2: 12:57

That may be easy to say, but they purify it Correct, so it must be pure. You can never 100% get rid of the impurities. But also, too, most of the citric acid is made overseas. Like 56% of it is made over in China, where we may not know exactly what their processes are. So maybe they are purifying it somewhat, but then there's still that potential for the contaminants to get through.

Speaker 2: 13:22

Now, with this constant, chronic exposure, this creates a chronic, low-level inflammatory state within the body. There can be releases of cytokines, which are mediators that cause inflammation. These are molecules that are actually part of the inflammatory process. One of them specifically noted was interleukin-6. So the significance of this? Let's say you get an injury. Well, the body has an inflammatory response, which is normal. It's not a bad thing. You want damaged tissue to be removed. You want the framework for healthy tissue to be laid, healthy tissue to grow, repair whatever the injury is. But then that process stops, it calms down, it should it should. That's normal. But if you have things that you're taking in, whether it's through your diet, through environmental chemicals, just whatever if it creates a low-level, chronic inflammation, then you're never really quite healing.

Speaker 1: 14:19

So it's just that constant, underlying, chronic inflammation, day after day after day, bite after bite on your fork. And it's not just the citric acid that's grown on black mold. This is just one of the things. And the thing is you're getting it from multiple sources. So the reason we're sharing this is not to get you worked up or upset or worried or fearful or anxious.

Speaker 2: 14:41

Do not be fearful or anxious. That's exactly what I was just thinking. We're not trying to scare you.

Speaker 1: 14:46

No, you serve a God who is mighty to save, and he is giving you the information that you need to make the best decisions with what we have today. So once you know these things, you can turn it over and look and say, well, does it have citric acid? Does this salsa have citric acid? Oh, look, this one has it and this one doesn't. Guess which one I'm buying today. Now I'm going to start buying the ones that don't have citric acid added, because now my eyes have been opened and I understand. And then, when you link arms with somebody who can show you here's the next thing you want to be aware of and look at, and here's the next thing, and here's the next thing, would it surprise you that before long you'd start feeling better? Can you see clearly how that's going to happen for you when you have the veil lifted off your eyes and you can say, okay, here's one thing, now here's the next thing, and here's the next thing, and here's the next thing, and you just, product after product, you're able to make the better choices, the choices that are going to not shut you down, like the enemy wants to keep you stuck, feeling bad, hurting, aching all the time, with this constant, chronic inflammation running in the background and your body having to try to fight it off, day after day after day, wondering why am I so exhausted, why can't I get better? And I don't mean to laugh, because it's really not funny, but it's like I just look back and I think, lord, have mercy, I'm free now. I'm so free compared to where I used to be, and it just makes you want to laugh and smile and dance. And you are going to get to that place where you think this is how I broke free from all those things because I unlearned the lies. First of all, my eyes were open to the lies. Then I was able to see. They're there. You know, these are the things that have been keeping me stuck. Then you learn the truth. Well, what should I be replacing these things with instead?

Speaker 1: 16:31

One of the things we teach in so many areas is you do not want to leave an empty hole. So when we show you something that you don't want to do, we show you what to do instead. So in this case, you want to get your citric acid from citrus or from tomatoes or from strawberries or from a whole pineapple right, you don't want it as an additive on the back of that label inside your food. And I promise you, when you start looking and you now know it's there, it is going to be a big eye opener and then you're going to be able to just get that one thing out. You don't worry, you're not afraid.

Speaker 1: 17:03

That is not what this is about. It is about I want to know the truth, I want to see the truth because I want to escape being held back from all these things, from just not feeling good, and this is where it starts. One thing and then another thing, and then another thing, and before long you find yourself running free. You're feeling so good at the end of the night you can go out on date night, you're not so exhausted you have to crash until the next day when you get up and do it all over again just trying to survive. It's no way to live. We want you to have optimal fuel, the vibrant, overflowing energy you were created to have to be able to fully live your purpose. You were put here for a purpose and it's so hard to live out that purpose when you constantly feel that way and you don't understand why and no one's telling you.

Speaker 1: 17:48

Not only have we worked with multiple, multiple, multiple clients of our own that have broken free in this way. It's just such a joy to be on this side of things because, being healthcare providers, this is why we went into medicine and nursing. We went into medicine and nursing to be able to take our clients from not feeling good to finally feeling good again. But that's not the experience that we were having in standard practice. So once Jerry got certified in lifestyle medicine and we learned these things out of necessity, because we were getting sick and we were like, ok, we got to learn this, and then we learned it also because we just our hearts were broken for our patients, because we just got tired of the standard this.

Speaker 1: 18:28

You got to give this drug for these numbers, and then you got to give this drug for these numbers and this, and then you got to give this drug for this drug. It's like it's insanity and this is one sneaky way that our enemy keeps us stuck. But you're not going to stay stuck that way, because we're going to take you by the hand and walk you step by step through these things. But just start with this one thing today, like I always say, just that one thing and don't be worried. Oh well, all the food's bad and all the food's contaminated. Like you cannot do that to yourself. That is not God's way, it's not his will.

Speaker 1: 19:00

For you to get overwhelmed and be frustrated by these things, just say thank you God for showing me this thing, so that now I know I can no longer be deceived in this one area. So you stop the deception in its tracks. You get the things your body was originally created in that one area. So you stop the deception in its tracks. You get the things your body was originally created in that one area. And then you move forward. Now you're no longer where you were. You're one step closer to feeling great, to actually being able to actively live. That's our heart's desire for you. That's what God wants for you and you're being set free even today, wants for you and you're being set free even today. Praise God, what a blessing that is.

Speaker 2: 19:45

Yes, absolutely so. In summary, citric acid found naturally present in foods such as citrus or strawberries or tomatoes obviously is safe. That is the natural source. That's how the Lord made it. Manufactured citric acid the molecule itself, is likely safe. The problem is from the contaminants found from the source of the manufactured citric acid, which is aspergillus niger or black mold. I believe that even if you try to purify it, you will never 100% get all the contaminants out, and that is the source of our problem. So, like Anita said, we want you to be aware so that you can make informed decisions. How many people is this causing a problem for? Like Anita said, we want you to be aware so that you can make informed decisions. How many people is this causing a problem for? We don't know.

Speaker 1: 20:21

Right.

Speaker 2: 20:21

But I'm sure it's a lot and since you didn't know until now, it was flying under your radar. So flip that puppy over, start looking at what's in your pantry, start selecting items without it.

Speaker 1: 20:33

Yes and see how you feel. Vote with your dollars.

Speaker 2: 20:36

Vote with your dollars.

Speaker 1: 20:37

Because if we start buying more of the products that don't contain it, maybe they'll stop using so much of it, and I feel like, after learning what we've learned, that would be a win for everybody. Okay, friends, so your job is to get into your pantry fridge freezer, turn that puppy over, look at those sauces, sauces, all the different things that are in there that you think, oh no, that won't have it. Check it anyway. I actually think I may have seen it added to some herbs and spices. They add it to a lot of things, so check your herbs and spices. You won't believe what's in there besides that herb and spice. We're going to be going over that in the future course, because it's amazing what they add to herbs and spices too. But look, turn it over and then, when you find the items that have citric acid, come into our free community.

Speaker 1: 21:24

Podcast insiders experience at poweronplantscom forward slash P-I-E. This is a community of your brothers and sisters who are all being set free together, celebrating our wins, encouraging each other, sharing ideas, meal inspiration and those sneaky things that are in their food that they didn't know were there before. And when you come in, I want you to just take a quick picture and share what you found, even if it's just one item. I want you to share what you found or what surprised you most.

Speaker 2: 21:54

That's what I was thinking. The most surprising product you found it in, though you were sure, did not have citric acid, but lo and behold, it was there.

Speaker 1: 22:01

There it was, and your new favorites are out there just waiting to be discovered. We look forward to getting to know you more inside. Hi, we can't wait to see you there and hear what you found in your pantry. And until next time, let anxiety and overwhelm go and know that you are on the right path. You are loved, you are dearly cared for. You are a child of the king. You were put here for a purpose and you're going to live that purpose out, fueled by the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet whole plant foods and we are so excited to be a part of that journey with you. We'll see you soon, thank you.