Oxalic acid, also known as oxalic acid, is one of the simplest organic dicarboxylic acids. Simplified HOOCCOOH structure. It is generally colorless and transparent crystals, which are harmful to the human body and can cause an imbalance in the pH of the body, affecting children's development. Oxalic acid plays an important role in industry and can remove rust. Oxalic acid is found throughout nature and often exists in the form of oxalates in the cell membranes of plants such as cowhide, sheep hoof grass, sorrel, and acid mold grass. Almost all plants contain oxalates, which are also metabolites of purines in the body of dihydrogen.
Oxalic acid is a metabolic product of organisms, widely distributed in plants, animals, and fungi, and plays different functions in different living organisms. Research has found that over a hundred plants are rich in oxalic acid, especially spinach, amaranth, sugar beet, purslane, taro, sweet potato, and rhubarb, which have the highest content.
Due to its ability to reduce the bioavailability of mineral elements, oxalic acid can easily form calcium oxalate with calcium ions in the human body, leading to kidney stones. Therefore, oxalic acid is often considered an antagonist to the absorption and utilization of mineral elements. Oxalic acid is not easily oxidized and broken down in the human body. The products formed through metabolism belong to acidic substances, which can cause an imbalance of acidity and alkalinity in the human body. Eating too much can also lead to poisoning.
Moreover, if oxalic acid encounters calcium and selenium in the human body, it generates calcium oxalate and selenium oxalate, which are difficult to absorb and are excreted from the body, affecting the absorption of calcium and zinc. Children's growth and development require a large amount of calcium and selenium. If the body lacks calcium and selenium, it can not only lead to poor bone and tooth development, but also affect intellectual development. Excessive intake of oxalic acid can also form stones.