Gallic acid is a phenolic acid or bioactive compound found in plants. It has antioxidant properties and may provide other health benefits.
Chemists have known and used gallic acid for centuries. Despite this, it has only recently become a mainstream trend in the healthcare world.
This article explains everything you need to know about gallic acid, including its advantages and disadvantages, and where to find it.
Gallic acid (also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is an antioxidant and phenolic acid found in varying amounts in most plants (1).
From the 12th to the 19th centuries it was used as the main ingredient in iron gall ink, the standard European writing ink. Today, its potential health benefits are increasingly recognized.
Your body gets it from certain plant foods. Although some lay sources indicate that gallic acid is also available as a supplement, it appears to be sold in a form that is used for chemical purposes.
Note that most existing research on gallic acid has been done in test tubes and in animals. Thus, there is insufficient evidence to determine clear dosage recommendations, side effects, optimal use, and human safety concerns for this compound (2).
Gallic acid is found naturally in many plants, especially oak bark and African frankincense.
Most people find it helpful to know which common foods contain this substance. Some of the best food sources of gallic acid include (3, 4):
Gallic acid is an antioxidant and phenolic compound found in many plants. Good sources include foods such as nuts, berries and other fruits that may already be included in your diet.
Although more research is needed to determine the potential health benefits of gallic acid, current research suggests that it may have antibacterial, anti-obesity and antioxidant properties that may improve cancer and brain health.
Gallic acid may help regulate your immune system and act as a natural defense mechanism against microbial infections (5).
The study developed an innovative light-enhanced antibacterial treatment by exposing gallic acid to ultraviolet light (UV-C). The sun emits invisible ultraviolet light, which is often used as a disinfectant (6).
As a result, the antimicrobial activity is significant. In fact, the authors suggest that gallic acid exposed to UV-C has the potential to become a new antimicrobial agent in food systems (6).
Additionally, a laboratory study found that gallic acid can extend the shelf life of fresh black truffles. It does this by combating a bacterial contaminant called Pseudomonas (7).
Both old and new research has shown that gallic acid can fight other foodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as bacteria found in the mouth called Streptococcus mutans bacteria (8, 9, 10). ).
In one review, researchers examined the anti-obesity activity of gallic acid. In particular, it protects against inflammation and oxidative stress, which can occur in obese people (12).
Some studies show that gallic acid reduces excess fat accumulation in obese people by inhibiting lipogenesis. Lipogenesis is the process by which compounds such as sugar are synthesized into fat in the body (12).
In an earlier study, overweight Japanese adults took gallic acid-rich Chinese black tea extract at a daily dose of 333 mg for 12 weeks. Treatment significantly reduced mean waist circumference, body mass index, and abdominal fat (13).
However, other human studies have shown mixed results on this topic. Some old and new studies have found no benefit, while others suggest that gallic acid may improve certain mechanisms associated with obesity and quality of life (14,15,16,17).
Overall, more research is needed into the potential benefits of gallic acid on obesity and related health complications.
Gallic acid is a powerful antioxidant. This means that it helps fight oxidative stress, which can otherwise damage cells and lead to various chronic diseases (18, 19, 20).
Research suggests that gallic acid’s antioxidant properties may underlie its purported anticancer benefits and neuroprotective effects, meaning its ability to protect brain structure and function (11, 21, 22).
A laboratory study has shown that while mango peel has its own antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, the gallic acid it contains has anti-proliferative activity. This means that gallic acid has the unique ability to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells (23).
Another laboratory study placed a layer of gallic acid on the surface of gamma-AlOOH nanoparticles, or aluminum-containing mineral particles with antioxidant properties. This was found to increase the antioxidant capacity of the nanoparticles (24).
Some research suggests that gallic acid may prevent decline in brain function by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage. It may also help prevent stroke (25, 26).
One animal study even suggests that gallic acid may have a protective effect on memory after traumatic brain injury. This may be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities (27).
The neuroprotective effects of gallic acid have also been observed in animal studies. This study looked at certain substances that are thought to prevent brain neurodegeneration in people with diabetes (28).
Despite these promising results, more human research is needed to better understand how gallic acid’s antioxidant properties may benefit human health.
Research shows that gallic acid has powerful antioxidant, antibacterial properties and even helps fight obesity. However, most research is done in test tubes and on animals, so human studies are needed.
Gallic acid is best consumed from natural food sources, especially given the lack of approved and well-studied supplements on the market.
However, one outdated animal study concluded that oral gallic acid is nontoxic in doses up to 2.3 grams per pound of body weight (5 grams per kilogram) (29).
Another animal study found that gallic acid administered to mice at a dose of 0.4 mg per pound of body weight (0.9 g per kilogram) daily for 28 days showed no evidence of toxicity in mice (30).
The biggest downside to gallic acid is the lack of human studies and the lack of supplements with well-studied and research-backed dosage recommendations.
Gallic acid is a phenolic acid found in plants, especially fruits, nuts, wine and tea. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and even potential anti-obesity properties.
Due to its underlying mechanism, it may be particularly beneficial for diseases such as cancer and brain health. It is also used as a dietary supplement to prevent foodborne illnesses.
However, most research on gallic acid has been done in test tubes and in animals. Therefore, it is unclear whether its purported benefits also apply to humans.
Additionally, although some lay sources indicate that gallic acid is available as a supplement, it appears that it is sold primarily for chemical purposes.
If you are interested in the potential benefits of gallic acid, focus on natural food sources until more research is done on gallic acid supplements.
Try this today: To add more natural gallic acid to your diet, simply add a variety of nuts and berries to your daily diet. You can also drink a cup of green tea with breakfast.
Our experts continually monitor health and wellness and update our articles as new information becomes available.
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Post time: Apr-11-2024