What Does Cream of Tartar Do When You Drink It? Unpacking the Risks and Myths

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

Despite being an additive classified as generally safe for cooking in small amounts, drinking significant quantities of cream of tartar can lead to a dangerous condition known as hyperkalemia, or excessive potassium in the blood. Due to its high potassium content, consuming this substance for unproven health benefits can have severe and potentially fatal consequences.

Quick Summary

Consuming large quantities of cream of tartar is dangerous and can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia due to its high potassium concentration. While often touted online for detoxification or other unproven health claims, the only verifiable effect of drinking significant amounts is a severe and risky electrolyte imbalance. Health experts strongly advise against this practice.

Key Points

High Potassium Content: Cream of tartar is roughly 20% potassium, and drinking large amounts can overwhelm the body's ability to process the mineral.
Risk of Hyperkalemia: Consuming excessive cream of tartar can lead to a dangerously high concentration of potassium in the blood, known as hyperkalemia.
Severe Cardiac Effects: The most life-threatening risk of severe hyperkalemia is an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to cardiac arrest.
Unproven Health Benefits: Many claims about detoxing, weight loss, or quitting smoking by drinking cream of tartar are entirely baseless and lack scientific evidence.
Proven but Risky Laxative Effect: While it can act as a laxative, using cream of tartar for this purpose is medically discouraged due to the extreme risk of hyperkalemia and dehydration.
Immediate Medical Attention: Anyone who has ingested a large quantity of cream of tartar and is experiencing symptoms should seek emergency medical care.

The Dangerous Side of High Potassium Intake

Cream of tartar, known chemically as potassium bitartrate, is a byproduct of winemaking that is primarily used as a stabilizer in baking. However, misguided health trends have promoted its consumption as a detox remedy, weight loss aid, or method to quit smoking. These claims are not supported by scientific evidence and can be exceptionally harmful. One teaspoon of cream of tartar contains nearly 500 milligrams of potassium, which is approximately 14-19% of the recommended daily value for adults. When ingested in large doses, this can overwhelm the body's ability to regulate potassium, especially for those with underlying health conditions, leading to hyperkalemia.

What is Hyperkalemia and its Symptoms?

Hyperkalemia is a serious medical condition characterized by abnormally high potassium levels in the blood. In mild cases, symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. However, severe hyperkalemia can have life-threatening effects, primarily impacting the cardiovascular system. Case studies have documented individuals intentionally ingesting large quantities of cream of tartar and developing life-threatening hyperkalemia, requiring immediate emergency medical treatment.

Symptoms of severe hyperkalemia include:

Abnormal or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling in limbs
Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Nausea and vomiting
In extreme cases, cardiac arrest

Debunking the Myths of Drinking Cream of Tartar

Many online and anecdotal sources spread misinformation about the supposed health benefits of drinking cream of tartar. It is crucial to understand that these claims are unfounded and dangerous. The body has its own effective detoxification system, primarily managed by the liver and kidneys, and does not require artificial cleansing agents.

Detoxification: There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that cream of tartar cleanses the body of toxins. The potassium content acts as a diuretic, increasing urine production, which some mistake for detoxing.
Quitting Smoking: The claim that cream of tartar can help a person quit smoking is also a myth with no scientific backing. There are far safer and more effective, evidence-based methods for smoking cessation.
Weight Loss and Other Cures: Promises that cream of tartar aids in weight loss, improves arthritis, or provides other cures are unsubstantiated and should be ignored.

The Proven (But Risky) Laxative Effect

One effect of consuming cream of tartar that has some scientific basis is its laxative property. Potassium bitartrate has been used as a purgative for decades, and an older study suggested a 5-gram dose may relieve constipation by softening stools. However, the risk of hyperkalemia is so high that doctors do not recommend using it for this purpose. The potential for severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance makes self-medicating with cream of tartar extremely unsafe for digestive issues.

Comparison of Safe vs. Dangerous Consumption


Feature	Culinary Use (Safe)	Intentional Ingestion (Dangerous)
Amount Consumed	Small quantities (e.g., 1/8 tsp)	Large quantities (e.g., tablespoons)
Frequency	Infrequent, as part of recipes	Frequent, daily, or binge-like
Purpose	Stabilizing egg whites, leavening agent	Unproven detoxing, self-medication
Primary Effect	Chemical reaction in food	Severe electrolyte imbalance (hyperkalemia)
Health Impact	Minimal, generally recognized as safe	Potential for muscle weakness, heart problems, death
Kidney Strain	None in healthy individuals	Excessive, potentially causing kidney issues
Medical Advice	Not required	Immediate medical attention required

Conclusion

While a common baking ingredient, drinking cream of tartar is an extremely dangerous practice fueled by unsubstantiated health fads. Its very high potassium content can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia, causing severe cardiovascular and muscular problems. For those seeking health benefits, reliable and proven alternatives are readily available. Anyone experiencing symptoms of hyperkalemia after ingesting cream of tartar should seek emergency medical care immediately. It is vital to consult a healthcare professional before consuming any substance for medicinal purposes, especially one with such a significant potential for harm. For more information on hyperkalemia, refer to reputable medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, drinking cream of tartar for a detox is a dangerous myth. The body has its own natural detoxification systems, and ingesting high quantities can lead to severe and life-threatening hyperkalemia due to its potassium content.

Symptoms of ingesting too much cream of tartar can range from mild effects like abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea to severe issues including muscle weakness, tingling in the limbs, an irregular or rapid heartbeat, and chest pain.

Cream of tartar has a recognized laxative effect, but using it for this purpose is strongly discouraged by medical professionals. The risk of causing severe electrolyte imbalances and dehydration far outweighs any potential benefit.

Cream of tartar is safe when consumed in the small amounts typically found in baked goods or candies. It is not meant to be taken as a supplement or consumed in larger, medicinal quantities.

Individuals with kidney disease, heart failure, type 1 diabetes, or those taking certain medications that affect potassium levels are at a higher risk of hyperkalemia if they consume cream of tartar.

Yes, ingesting large amounts of cream of tartar can cause life-threatening hyperkalemia. A medical toxicology journal reported two cases of intentional ingestion resulting in severe heart complications.

Misinformation spread online often misattributes benefits of a potassium-rich diet to concentrated cream of tartar. Its historical use as a mild purgative is also misunderstood as a safe remedy, despite the significant modern-day understanding of the dangers.