Cream of Tartar (CoT) is the common name for potassium bitartrate, a fine, white powder used in kitchens for centuries. It is a natural byproduct of the winemaking process, crystallizing inside wine barrels during fermentation. Traditionally, it stabilizes egg whites, acts as a key ingredient in baking powder, and prevents sugar crystallization in confections. Despite its history as a simple food additive, cream of tartar is increasingly promoted as a daily dietary supplement or home remedy. This shift from a small-quantity food ingredient to self-prescribed daily intake raises significant questions about its safety and the maximum amount that can be safely consumed.
Chemical Identity and Dietary Role
Cream of tartar is scientifically known as potassium bitartrate. Its chemical identity reveals its most significant component: potassium. The compound is dense in this mineral, comprising approximately 20% potassium by weight.
A single teaspoon (about 3 grams) delivers nearly 500 milligrams of potassium. This concentration is substantial compared to typical over-the-counter potassium supplements, which are often restricted to 99 milligrams per dose. Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for regulating electrical impulses in the heart and muscles, facilitating nerve signaling, and maintaining proper fluid balance. When ingested, potassium is absorbed into the bloodstream, where the kidneys tightly regulate its concentration. The physiological effects of consuming cream of tartar are primarily a direct result of introducing this high load of potassium into the body.
Common Misconceptions Regarding Health Use
Interest in the daily consumption of cream of tartar is often driven by widely circulated, yet scientifically unsupported, health claims. One common belief is that the compound acts as a powerful “detoxifier” capable of cleansing the body or eliminating toxins. Other popular, unsubstantiated uses include treating arthritis, relieving migraines, or assisting with smoking cessation.
Scientific evidence supporting these therapeutic applications is minimal or nonexistent. The body already possesses sophisticated mechanisms, primarily through the liver and kidneys, to process and eliminate waste products. There is no proof that potassium bitartrate enhances this natural process.
Cream of tartar has a historical use as a laxative or purgative, attributed to its high mineral content drawing water into the intestines. While this action can relieve constipation, it is a response to a high load of unabsorbed mineral, not systemic healing. Relying on this substance for daily medicinal purposes is problematic because it ignores its potentially toxic dosage profile.
Safety Profile and Regulatory Status
The primary concern regarding the daily consumption of cream of tartar is the risk of hyperkalemia—a dangerous elevation of potassium levels in the blood. Since there is no established, medically recommended daily dosage for potassium bitartrate as a dietary supplement, self-dosing carries considerable risk. The body’s ability to manage excess potassium is limited, and the window between a normal blood level and a dangerously high one is narrow.
Symptoms of hyperkalemia range from gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and vomiting to severe manifestations like muscle weakness and fatigue. The most serious consequences involve the cardiovascular system. High potassium levels interfere with the electrical signaling of the heart muscle, leading to severe cardiac arrhythmias and potentially fatal cardiac arrest.
Case reports document individuals ingesting large quantities to “cleanse” their system, resulting in life-threatening hyperkalemia requiring emergency medical intervention. Cream of tartar is classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). However, this designation applies strictly to its use as a food additive in small quantities, adhering to current good manufacturing practices.
This regulatory status does not equate to approval for use as a high-dose daily supplement. Because it is sold as a food ingredient, it bypasses the stringent regulatory scrutiny applied to traditional dietary supplements. Consumers who self-dose with large amounts face a risk not present with regulated supplements that limit potassium content.
The toxicity of cream of tartar is a direct function of the total amount of potassium it delivers, and the risk is intensified for individuals with compromised kidney function. Therefore, any daily intake beyond the minute amounts found in baked goods should be avoided due to the severe risk of hyperkalemia.