Used as a common leavening agent, cream of tartar is sometimes promoted online as a powerful purgative that can do everything from detoxifying your system to helping you quit smoking.
But is cream of tartar healthy or does it come with significant side effects? We dive into the details below.
The Benefits of Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is potassium — also known as potassium hydrogen tartrate and potassium bitartrate — and is a byproduct of the wine fermentation process, according to PubChem.
When combined with baking soda and added to a glycerin suppository inserted rectally, cream of tartar benefits include treating chronic constipation without the potassium being absorbed into the system, making it ideal for those with renal, cardiovascular, or electrolyte disorders, according to PubChem. It releases carbon dioxide gas, which induces bowel contractions by pressing against the bowel walls.
As its name implies, the powder is rich in potassium. Each teaspoon of cream of tartar contains 495 milligrams (mg) of potassium, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By contrast, the average prescribed potassium supplement pill for those who have a potassium deficiency is 99 mg or less per day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Potassium deficiency in the body can occur from excessive sweating, using laxatives or diuretics, or just not getting enough potassium in the diet, according to Cleveland Clinic. If you already have enough potassium in your system, deliberately adding cream of tartar could do more harm than good.
The Risks of Cream of Tartar
Is cream of tartar bad for you? It’s not recommended to supplement your diet with any potassium, according to a review published in Advances in Nutrition, but instead getting the recommended 4,700 mg per day from naturally occurring potassium in fruits, veggies, and other foods. Potassium is critical to the body’s nerve and muscle function, including functions associated with the heart.
Is cream of tartar good for your kidneys? The notion that cream of tartar’s benefits include helping eliminate toxins or nicotine from your body is a myth. Potassium-rich cream of tartar is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production. This can put an additional load on your kidneys, which help regulate the amount of potassium in your blood. Too much or too little potassium in your bloodstream has serious consequences.
If your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate enough of the potassium, high levels of the mineral can cause serious heart rhythm problems that could lead to cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association.
You could also experience less severe but uncomfortable symptoms such as muscle weakness, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Factors That Increase Cream of Tartar Side Effects
Other factors in your body can affect potassium levels in your blood. If you have kidney disease, for example, your potassium levels may be higher. Blood pH and hormone levels also affect how your body absorbs potassium from cream of tartar or other sources.
If you take medications such as potassium supplements prescribed by your doctor or diuretics, you should avoid ingesting extra cream of tartar or other sources of potassium not naturally contained in the food you eat, according to MedLinePlus. Try to avoid exceeding the recommended daily dose, unless explicitly instructed by your doctor.
Salt substitutes available at the grocery store can contain high levels of potassium — up to 800 mg per quarter teaspoon, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Keep in mind that as potassium levels in your bloodstream rise, sodium levels go down, and both are needed — along with a proper ratio of magnesium — to maintain a healthy electrolyte environment in the body.
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