Skip to main content

Phosphoric Acid in Soft Drinks: Say No to Carbonated Beverages

Soda Drink Side Effects: A Myth or Reality?

We all love carbonated drinks like anything, but do you have any idea about the phosphoric acid content in soft drinks? Surprised, are you? Well, research reveals that phosphoric acid is added to your favorite soft drinks. To know why it is added and what its effects are, please read further.

Here I must tell you that when I first heard cries about soda drink side effects, I was addicted to these beverages. As a health-conscious individual, with my own fitness goals, I immediately decided to STOP drinking soda drinks. Since then I have never felt a craving for these sugar-rich beverages. Though it was hard to quench my cravings for these drinks initially, I had to work hard to reduced my consumption in the beginning, limiting it to almost 50% of what I used to have earlier. Gradually, I reduced the intake further. Here I am today - with no cravings for sodas!!! I am happy my transition wasn't too difficult!  

No one in my home buys soda drinks now - I have even persuaded a number of my relatives to stay away from these beverages. While some have quit drinking cola drinks, some others continue to make soda beverages a part of their diet. Alas!!!


Why is Phosphoric Acid Added in Soft Drinks
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in diet, which contributes to the growth of teeth and bones. It also helps in the conversion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into energy. Being an acidity regulator and nutrition agent for yeast, phosphoric acid is used as an additive in soda.  

Phosphoric acid, comprising mineral phosphorous, gives soft drinks a tangy taste and tartness. Thus it is for this well-rounded flavor and sharp taste that phosphoric acid is added in soft drinks. Besides, it is used as a source of nutrients for yeast to prevent or slow down the growth of molds and bacteria in food or drinks, which otherwise proliferate rapidly in a sugary solution.

Quantity of Phosphoric Acid in Soft Drinks
Soft drinks do contain phosphoric acid; however, these carbonated drinks are not a major source of phosphorus.  Soft drinks contribute little amount of phosphorus to the diet. Phosphoric acid in soft drinks forms only two to four percent of the recommended phosphorus intake. 

The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance of phosphorus is 800 mg per day.  One cola glass contains 48 to 56 mg of phosphorus, whereas an equivalent amount of milk contains 250 mg. A can of 375ml soft drink contains 60 mg of phosphorous. Phosphoric acid is corrosive; however, acid concentration in soft drinks is even lower compared to that in lemonade or orange juice. 

Effects of Phosphoric Acid in Soft Drinks
The issue whether phosphoric acid has any effect on the overall calcium balance in the body remains debated. Epidemiological studies have shown that phosphorus intake does not impact the overall calcium balance; rather, it is necessary to maintain bone health. Contrarily, some argue that phosphoric acid in soft drinks causes teeth decay.

soda drink bad for health
Occasional drinking does not cause any harm; however, if you continue to consume soft drinks regularly, tooth decay is a common occurrence, especially in teens that love to sip carbonated drinks throughout the day. 

In case of frequent consumption of soft drinks, the phosphoric acid lowers pH of the mouth, thus turning saliva acidic. In order to bring the pH level above 7, calcium ions are pulled from the teeth, resulting in loss of calcium from the teeth. Without adequate calcium, rapid depletion of the tooth enamel begins.

Studies have shown that an increasing number of teens are found to have yellow teeth, which is attributed to their habits of rampant soda drinking. Yellow teeth indicate tooth decay and bone loss.

soda drinks bad effects
Phosphoric acid, when taken in large amounts, interferes with calcium absorption. It also contributes to imbalances, thus leading to further loss of calcium. An Academy of General Dentistry study warns that drinking any type of soft drink poses health risk to your teeth because of the phosphoric and citric content. The study measured the pH of 20 soft drinks soon after their cans were opened. Slices of enamel were immersed in these sodas for 48 hours. 

After 48 hours, when the slices of enamel were removed from the soft drinks, they had lost five percent of their weight. Thus the study concluded that prolonged exposure to highly acidic substances is bad for tooth enamel and terrible for bone health. It can accelerate deterioration of the jawbone. The study concludes that some of the soda drinks are as acidic as battery acid.

Some studies have even indicated that frequent consumption of soft drinks or sodas, containing phosphoric acid, leads to kidney damage. These studies claim that there is a connection between carbonated beverages and urinary changes indicating how phosphoric acid combines with calcium, magnesium to form kidney stones. 

Because kidneys cannot store acids or completely filter them, these acids accumulate and form kidney stones in combination with other salts. In case of extreme acidic levels, kidneys fail to carry out the normal bowl cleaning cycle, thus resulting in several ailments, such as nephritis and uremic poisoning.

A new study links consumption of soda to aggression, attention problems in young children, besides making them obese.  The Columbia University study states that kids who downed four or more servings of cola drinks faced behavioral problems, concentration issues, and indulge in fights more often socially.

Bottom Line
Thus we can conclude that merely drinking a can of soda does not harm the tooth enamel. It is frequent consumption of these carbonated drinks that is seen as a culprit in harming the teeth bone and enamel. However, besides phosphoric acid, it is the other additives and sweeteners that make soda drinks unhealthy. Soda drink side effects are aplenty, and your health is in your hands!


Image credit:
1.http://personalexcellence.co/challenges/files/21dhl-sodadrinks.jpg
2. http://www.doctortipster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/soda-and-weight-gain.jpg
3. http://res.mindbodygreen.com/img/ftr/7-side-effects-soda-mbg.jpg
4. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK5NnG1Jd3BD-G5PjXwPOmyTFt51zN2pRo_fpLsFQQGCTGb7seB0dPtbesQC11x_a65xRoTWNd9acRczOku5TV8o-PI96xUlr2ZfpmtR5E5vrxcBjsPr9ve8iGBQyTEymFAZkeIM3sTyM/s640/Soft+drinks-759211.JPG

Comments

  1. i just say this is very nice article i really like it and bookmark this article. You did excellent job.

    Thanks and Regards
    sell chemical online

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can we use the soaked water for millets? Does millet need to be soaked?

Do millets contain anti-nutrients? Yes, they do. In fact, all whole grains, including oats, contain phytates, which bind to minerals and make their absorption difficult for the body.  Soaking is the first step toward reducing anti-nutrients from millets. Soak for at least 6-8 hours to make digestion easier. Discard the soaked water and then proceed to the next step of cooking. Remove foam from top to reduce gassy elements from millets. why you should not eat millets unsoaked #shortsfeed #shortsvideo #shorts  Is it necessary to soak millets? How long do you need to soak millet? Can you eat soaked millet? How long does millet take to digest? Why soak millets for constipation benefits of soaking millet how to soak millet overnight little millet soaking time should foxtail millet be soaked before cooking how long should millet be soaked foxtail millet soaking time can we use millet soaked water Unlocking Millets' Nutritional Potential Through Soaking Beyond enhancing taste and textur

Making Dahi Without Starter | बिना जामन के दही | How to Make Curd at Home Without Curd

Ever imagines how to make curd without curd (with almonds) बिना जामन के दही ? Well, I am sure such use of almonds as a curd starter is nowhere in your thoughts, right? Perhaps we are not used to thinking on these lines until it happens incidentally and you want to share your experiment with others. I am happy to say that I have experimented with making curd without starter and it gives me creamy and sweet curd. बिना जामन के दही | How to Make Curd at Home Without Curd A Little About my Curd Love Give me a bowl of rich, creamy curd and I do not need anything else on my dining table. Perhaps as a Punjabi, born and brought up into a Punjabi family, I have that special love and fondness for curd. My parents have inculcated in me good eating habits - home food is the best, they would day, preach and practice. This has become ingrained in my thoughts. I detest outside food, and yes, I dub it as market junk. One reason I love all homemade stuff - mommade food is the best. But w

Is Tandoori roti good for health [NO, it Isn't But I eat soft oil-free wheat tandoori chapatis daily]

Tandoori roti is delicious and quite addictive too, but is it good for your health?Is there something called tandoori roti health risk? Yes and no.  Yes, if you order it outside.  What is tandoori roti made up of? The reason these Indian flatbreads have earned a bad reputation is that they are made with maida or refined flour, which is only empty calories. Then they use dalda or hydrogenated fat to make the roti soft. remember, tandoori roti is an addiction and I am addicted to it but one made at home with wholesome ingredients.  How to make tandoori roti at home At home, making quick tandoori roti on tawa is a breeze!   so here's how I do it to avoid all the health risks associated with restaurant tandoori roti. we can easily make soft atta tandoori roti on tawa too. yes, tandoor cooking is good but maida isn't.  start by adding water to a bowl. throw in methi powder and flaxmeal. You can skip both if you want. but I suggest adding the two ingredients in your chapatis and brea