Sodium Citrate is the natural sodium salt of citric acid. It has a sour taste and salty tastes. Mainly used as a food additive, usually for flavor or as a preservative. It gives club soda both its sour and salty flavors. It reduces the acidity of foods, so it allows spherification with strongly acidic ingredients. Sodium citrate is also used as an antioxidant in food as well as a sequestrant. It dissolves easily and acts instantaneously.

Culinary uses include, use as a melting salt for smooth cheese sauces without becoming greasy. It is a key ingredient in club soda, and is also used in spherification of acidic ingredients.

Sodium citrate is common as an ingredient in Bratwurst, and is also used in commercial ready to drink beverages and drink mixes, contributing a tart flavor. It is found in ice-cream, jams, sweets, milk powder, processed cheeses, carbonated beverages, and wine.

Used as medication to make the urine less acidic. Urine that is less acidic helps the kidneys get rid of uric acid, helping to prevent gout and certain types of kidney stones (urate). This medication can also prevent and treat certain metabolic problems (acidosis) caused by kidney disease.

Also used in blood collection tubes and for the preservation of blood in blood banks. The citrate ion chelates calcium ions in the blood by forming calcium citrate complexes, disrupting the blood clotting mechanism.

In 2003, Ööpik, et al., showed the use of sodium citrate (0.5 grams per kg of body weight) improved running performance over 5 km by 30 seconds.

Sodium citrate is used to relieve discomfort in urinary tract infections, such as cystitis, to reduce the acidosis seen in distal renal tubular acidosis, and can also be used as an osmotic laxative. It is a major component of the WHO Oral Rehydration Solution.

It is used as an antacid, especially prior to anaesthesia, for caesarian section procedures to reduce the risks associated with the aspiration of gastric contents.

Scientific Name: Trisodium 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate
aka: Sodium citrate dihydrate, Trisodium citrate, Trisodium citrate dihydrate, Sour salt
Origin: USA/Israel
Notes: Kosher Certified. Non-irradiated. No GMOs. CAS: 68-04-2. Compare to Texturas Citras
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
* FDA disclaimer

References
webmd
everydayhealth (view for complete dosing and warning notifications)
chefsteps
wikipedia