UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 15:  Reagent bottle with an embossed, fired label and a ground glass stopper. A reagent is a substance or mixture used in chemical analysis. Many laboratory chemicals are stored in this type of bottle. Oxalic acid ((COOH)2.2H2O) is a white poisonous acid which is soluble in water, alcohol and ether. It occurs naturally in rhubarb and has various industrial uses.  (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)
Health - Wellness
Unexpected Side Effects Oxalic Acid Has On Your Body
By JOANNA MARIE
Oxalic acid, an organic component present in leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, binds with minerals in the body to form compounds in the colon, kidneys, and other regions of the urinary tract. Although it is usually eliminated throughout your stool or urine, this doesn't always happen, which can have unexpected side effects on the body.
Oxalic acid reduces mineral absorption with the help of a gut bacteria called Oxalobacter formigenes because it breaks it down before they can link to minerals. However, some people, particularly those using antibiotics, do not have significant quantities of this bacteria, making them vulnerable to inflammatory bowel disease because of the high oxalate levels.
High oxalic acid levels are associated with kidney stones as well because kidney stones and crystals are created when too much oxalate interacts with calcium in the urine. Additionally, when your kidneys fail, it becomes difficult to get rid of extra oxalate, which means crystals may accumulate elsewhere and lead to the condition known as oxalosis.
Healthline advises the best way to switch to a low-oxalate diet is to reduce oxalate intake by 5–10% per week, as well as drinking at least two liters of water a day and eating enough calcium, which binds the oxalate and reduces its absorption. Foods that are high in calcium and low in oxalates include those such as canned fish with bones, cheese, and plain yogurt.