Soda
What are the downsides to drinking Coke, Pepsi, and the thousand other sodas out there? I admit that this has been my bane for years, yet here are some points which are turning me around on the drinks which have replaced water and milk as most common choices for Americans.
Health Issues.
Benzene carconigen. Many sodas and juices have up to 10x the US drinking water limit of benzene, a known carcinogen according to the FDA. The FDA has also said that these levels are not cause for concern, but they do not list the brands that are so high, and they are working with these companies to lower the levels of benzene. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit public health watchdog organization, is asking that the FDA conduct more tests and make the results public.
Currently, there are lawsuits against PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Cadbury-Schweppes about benzene content in some of their labels. Similar lawsuits against Kraft, Ocean Spray, and Polar brands have resulted in companies agreeing to reformulate their drinks.
Acid Reflux Disease. Carbonated drinks of all kinds can contribute to acid reflux which is a factor for esophageal cancer. A 2004 study found a correlation between soda consumption and esophageal cancer, but a 2006 study found no direct evidence of such a link.
Aspartame. The artificial sweetener used in many diet sodas has long been rumored to cause problems, but a definitive study did not appear until 2005 which found significant increases in lymphoma and leukemia amongst rats fed aspartame. A 2006 study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found no link between aspartame and cancer; however, that study only studied people aged 50-69, not people across their entire lifespans.
One answer may be sucralose (Splenda), which has a disputed record of safety. Some argue that its "natural" chlorine bonds are safe and that the no-calorie substance has little which is absorbed by the body. Others claim that too much chlorine is unsafe, that rats have shown adverse effects from sucralose, and that long-term effects studies on humans simply have not been completed, a history very similar to aspartame. Read here about effects pro (http://www.sucralose.org/facts.html) and con (http://www.splendaexposed.com).
Sugar Content. The USDA recommends a daily allowance of 12 teaspoons of sugar (for a 2200 calorie/day diet). Too much sugar obviously leads to obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.
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12-ounce can of non-diet soda: 10 teaspoons, mostly in high fructose corn syrup.
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20-ounce bottle: 17 teaspoons, mostly in high fructose corn syrup.
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50 gallons of soda: average American intake per year
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12 pounds: the difference in weight for women who consumer 1 soda/day vs. 1 soda/week
Osteoporosis and Kidney Stones. Several studies show the increase in risk for these because people substitute soda for milk, and because of the phosphoric acid in soda. Because kids drink more soda, they drink less milk and also eat fewer nutritious foods (thus missing essential minerals).
Tooth decay. The pH level in our mouths is around 6.2-7.0. Average soda pH is 2.47-3.35, which destroys tooth enamel. Offset this with a meal at the same time or tooth brushing following consumption of soda.
Social Issues.
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Coca-Cola extracts high volumes of water from the Kerala and Rajasthan states in India where water shortages are already a major problem. See www.indiaresource.com for more information.
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Colombian Coca-Cola workers are trying to get the company to investigate murders and torture by paramilitary groups of workers attempting to form unions there (www.killercoke.org).
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The 7-Up/RC company of Cadbury-Schweppes pled guilty in 2005 to 12 counts of violating the Clean Water Act from its industrial wastes.
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PepsiCo is often accused of privatizing aquifers and pumping them dry in areas where water is scarce.
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Nestle company is in lawsuits for taking water from Michigan aquifers, as well.
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More on all of these at www.responsibleshopper.org.
Choices.
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Water √
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Sparkling Juices. 100% fruit juice with effervescence of sodas.
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Natural sodas sweetened with evaporated cane juice (though sugars still have some problems above): Hansen's and GuS are good choices. √
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Organic sodas. Blue Sky Soda and Santa Crux Organic. √
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Organic, fair-trade teas, coffees, chai, fruit juices. √