ACIDULANTS (CITRIC ACID)
Citric acid is a natural, weak organic acid that is found in many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus.Citric acid is prized for its sour flavor, preservative quality, and ability to act as a pH buffer. For these reasons, citric acid is found on the ingredient list of many food products today. However in combination with sodium benzoate it can form benzene which is a known carcinogen with high linkage to leukemia. Click on this LINK to read more on benzene and leukemia. So with these little knowledge you can be able to tell that if you are a soda lover citric acid and sodium benzoate should be a NO-NO form now on. It is never too late to make positive changes I reckon.
ANTIOXIDANT (ASCORBIC ACID)
In a simple way antioxidants are those substances which inhibit oxidation of our body cells by other molecules/ free radicals. Ascorbic acid (aka E300 or l-ascorbic acid)* is an artificial additive commonly known as vitamin C. Generally the benefits of ascorbic acid outweigh its potential risk. So that does make it safe in soda? Well with soda concerns are the same as for citric acid and sodium benzoate formation of benzene. This LINK might be useful to get more info on this.
In short as an individual who has read widely on this matter and as a professional nutritionist let me just advise you that if you are on vitamin C supplements or are planning to consume any it is better to avoid foods preserved by sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate for that matter... bottom line is you have to for go one. You are the one to make a choice.
COLORING
This particular ingredient depends on the brand. When I was young I was told that while in the bush if I get hungry to remember blue and purple are poisonous and yelow and orange are good. So why that re-route. Colorants used? "Soft drink consumers are being exposed to an avoidable and unnecessary cancer risk from an ingredient that is being added to these beverages simply for aesthetic purposes," said the study’s senior author Keeve Nachman, director of the Food Production and Public Health Program at the Center, in a press release. "This unnecessary exposure poses a threat to public health and raises questions about the continued use of caramel coloring in soda." Samantha Olson.
In short the chemical used to color soda has been linked to cancer risks.
SWEETENERS
The most commonly used sweeteners are aspartame, acesulfame-K, saccharin and stevia leaf extract (steviol glycosides). These are usually artificial sweeteners.
According to the American Cancer Society aspartame is the most common used sweetener which is made by joining mino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is used mainly because just a little is needed to make foods ten times sweeter and also lowers the caloric value of thwe foods. The FDA has set the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) for aspartame at 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight. So I think soft drink manufacturers should consider giving information on how much is this ingredient is used. It is deemed safe to use but within the safe limits. However there are contraindications for people suffering from phenylketonuria.
CONCLUSION
From our analysis of the two samples that we had, I hope that we have learnt a lot. Soda is good, however we must learn to be more aware of what we are taking by knowing the contents of the drink and the amounts we require. That way we can be able to make healthy choices. It is all about knowledge and by putting the knowledge we have into practice we can gladly say we are NUTRISAVVY. Also note that with this age of internet we all have the information all of it just at the touch of a button so why not research more on what is in the market and learn alot. For any inquiries please contact me through my facebook page Nutrisavvy Solutions.
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