On Healthy Living

Today’s must read is this article from AlterNet about the surge in benzene formation in certain bottled beverages. Interestingly, the main problem drinks seem to be those with orange or fruit flavor and diet sodas.

That’s because its the combination of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, both anti-microbial preservatives, that causes benzene to form.

Benzene is a cancer-causing chemical that has been linked to leukemia and other cancers. Even short exposure can result in temporary nervous system disorders, a weakening of the immune system and anemia, according to the article.

A water supply with five parts per billion of benzene is considered polluted. Some sodas, especially with exposure to heat and ultra-violet light, have levels of 10 to 20 ppb, according to the Food and Drug Administration. (In lab tests when exposed to heat and UV, some products had as many as 82 ppb.)

A food safety expert quoted in the story says he wouldn’t be worried about the benzene issue except over a lifetime of exposure. Meaning he’s pretty sure something else will kill you first. But with so many people drinking so many soft drinks, and so many of the dangerous ones (Sunny D, Tropicana Twister, Fanta, etc.) being so attractive to kids because of the illusion of health in a fruit-flavored drink, people are hitting a “lifetime” of exposure long before they’re old and dying of something else.

If you’re interested in what soft drinks you might want to avoid, consult this partial list of drinks containing the potentially dangerous chemicals from the Environmental Working Group. Another great reason to cut back on soda and drink more water!

Sarah White wrote this on March 13th, 2006 and filed it under Healthy Living, Healthy Eating, Women's Health, Health Foods, Men's Health |