Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Dental enamel erosion with frequent acidic gummy consumption
- GI irritation and loose stools at high doses
- Generally regarded as safe at supplement doses
- Combined with magnesium: modest evidence for fibromyalgia benefit
Contraindications
- Dental enamel erosion with frequent acidic gummy consumption
- GI irritation and loose stools at high doses
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Malic acid is a natural organic acid found in apples, used as an acidulant in gummies and effervescent supplements. GRAS status. Well tolerated at supplement doses. Combined with magnesium it is marketed for fibromyalgia and energy support with some limited evidence. At very high doses GI irritation and laxative effects may occur. Dental erosion risk with frequent acidic supplement use.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- DL-Malic acid
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Metabolic
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Dental enamel erosion with frequent acidic gummy consumption
- GI irritation and loose stools at high doses
- Generally regarded as safe at supplement doses
- Combined with magnesium: modest evidence for fibromyalgia benefit
The available scientific evidence for Malic Acid indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 24 მარ 2026, 08:47
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWL-Malic acid from Cissus gongylodes induces cannabinoid-mediated antinociception in mice. ↗Calazans MO et al.. L-Malic acid from Cissus gongylodes induces cannabinoid-mediated antinociception in mice.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026. PMID:41713814.PMID 41713814 ↗Journal J EthnopharmacolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41713814/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInvestigation of enantioselective differences of chiral deep eutectic solvents based on natural organic acids with different configurations in capillary electrophoresis. ↗Liu R et al.. Investigation of enantioselective differences of chiral deep eutectic solvents based on natural organic acids with different configurations in capillary electrophoresis.. J Chromatogr A. 2026. PMID:41702021.PMID 41702021 ↗Journal J Chromatogr AYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41702021/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWOptimization of Extraction and Antioxidant Activities of Resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum by Ultrasound-Assisted Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Method. ↗Guo Y et al.. Optimization of Extraction and Antioxidant Activities of Resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum by Ultrasound-Assisted Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Method.. Molecules. 2026. PMID:41683469.PMID 41683469 ↗Journal MoleculesYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41683469/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWConstruction of N/S CQDs@Fe-TCPP Nanocatalyst-Induced Electrochemical Sensors for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Enrofloxacin Residues in Milk. ↗Wang W et al.. Construction of N/S CQDs@Fe-TCPP Nanocatalyst-Induced Electrochemical Sensors for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Enrofloxacin Residues in Milk.. Foods. 2026. PMID:41596865.PMID 41596865 ↗Journal FoodsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41596865/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe Influence of Acute Cold Stress on Intestinal Health of the Juvenile Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). ↗Ma X et al.. The Influence of Acute Cold Stress on Intestinal Health of the Juvenile Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis).. Animals (Basel). 2026. PMID:41594446.PMID 41594446 ↗Journal Animals (Basel)Year 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41594446/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWTwo Heart-Shaped Carboxylate-Substituted Selenotungstates with Photochromic Properties. ↗Song Y et al.. Two Heart-Shaped Carboxylate-Substituted Selenotungstates with Photochromic Properties.. Inorg Chem. 2026. PMID:41443901.PMID 41443901 ↗Journal Inorg ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41443901/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWUltrasonic Pretreatment With dl-Malic Acid-Water Media: An Innovative Strategy to Enhance Infrared-Assisted Spouted Bed Drying Efficiency and Product Quality of Chinese Yam. ↗Li L et al.. Ultrasonic Pretreatment With dl-Malic Acid-Water Media: An Innovative Strategy to Enhance Infrared-Assisted Spouted Bed Drying Efficiency and Product Quality of Chinese Yam.. J Food Sci. 2025. PMID:41204618.PMID 41204618 ↗Journal J Food SciYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41204618/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA preliminary study on the early warning role of DL-malic acid in atrial fibrillation occurrence among patients with hyperuricemia. ↗Li D et al.. A preliminary study on the early warning role of DL-malic acid in atrial fibrillation occurrence among patients with hyperuricemia.. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2025. PMID:41189990.PMID 41189990 ↗Journal Front Cardiovasc MedYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41189990/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWExploring the effects of Chrysanthemum and Lonicera hypoglauca extracts on the antioxidant capacity of myofibrillar proteins through multi-spectral analysis, non-targeted metabolomics, and… ↗Li S et al.. Exploring the effects of Chrysanthemum and Lonicera hypoglauca extracts on the antioxidant capacity of myofibrillar proteins through multi-spectral analysis, non-targeted metabolomics, and molecular docking.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2025. PMID:40850405.PMID 40850405 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40850405/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWUntargeted flavoromics and correlation analysis reveal microbial interactions driving flavor in LAB co-fermented Beita juice. ↗Zhao Y et al.. Untargeted flavoromics and correlation analysis reveal microbial interactions driving flavor in LAB co-fermented Beita juice.. Int J Food Microbiol. 2025. PMID:40780026.PMID 40780026 ↗Journal Int J Food MicrobiolYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40780026/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Malic Acid. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Malic Acid
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.