Calcium citrate

**Calcium Citrate**
INSERT IMAGE HERE
Empirical formula:	Ca₃(C₆H₅O₇)₂
Molecular weight:	570.50
CAS No	5785-44-4

Calcium citrate is the calcium salt of citric acid. It is commonly used as a food additive, usually as a preservative, but sometimes for flavor. In this sense, it is similar to sodium citrate. Calcium citrate is also used as a water softener.

Like citric acid, calcium citrate has a sour taste. Like other salts, however, it also has a salty taste. For this reason, citrates such as sodium and calcium citrate are common known as sour salt.

Calcium citrate supplements may increase aluminium toxicity. Patients with renal disease are at an increased risk of toxicity.

Bioavailability is 2.5 times higher than calcium carbonate

Calcium citrate is used as a water softener because the citrate chelates unwanted metal ions.