What are they trying to do - make me switch back to martinis at lunch?
Although Diet Coke has a strong association with sport and health, it is actually a worrying mixture of neurotoxic and potentially carcinogenic high intensity sweeteners (aspartame and acesulfame K), tooth and bone destroying acids (phosphoric acid) and DNA damaging colourings (sulphite ammonia caramel), as well as psychoaddictive caffeine and other undisclosed ‘flavourings’.
It also contains sodium benzoate, which can be broken down into the listed carcinogen benzene in the presence of strong acids, such as the citric acid found in this product.
Soda manufacturers have been aware of this synergistic possibility since the 1990s, but without pressure from regulatory authorities to change their formula to prevent the formation of benzene, have continued to mix benzoates and acids.
Slow down, Turbo. I am having trouble finding anything that unequivocally backs up the homemade benzene claim. The FDA says they don't know much, but that they have surveyed a lot of soft drinks and found either no benzene, or benzene at levels below 5 parts per billion, which is the federal drinking water standard.
(Wait, what? Benzene levels are okay in your water? Isn't that reassuring. Around here, we're still dealing with carcinogens in our local aquafer, and now this.)
Anyway, I can't find anything that shows that diet soda ingredients create these huge amounts of benzene.
I'll look into this some more, but first I need some more of that psychoaddictive caffeine.
Actually, the study I like is the one that shows heavy drinkers who also drink 4 or more cups of coffee a day have much lower incidences of cirrhosis than regular heavy drinkers. So I'm not taking any chances with diet sodas. It's martinis and cappacinos for me and I'm gonna be bulletproof.
P.S. There's also a possible link evolving between diet soda and depression. Keep us posted if you find any benefit to that silly product.
Posted by: 'mouse | June 19, 2007 at 08:09 AM
As usual, I have to ask where the bodies are.
Even a few. Or incidence of cancer among diet coke drinkers. Studies? Lawyers? Class Action lawsuit?
Look at the Mold scare, and the state fair atmosphere among lawyers with sayings like "Mold Means Gold".
Posted by: scupper | June 19, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Exactly. If they can't point to the soda-filled corpses, then this benzene allegation is just an urban legend.
Posted by: pam | June 19, 2007 at 12:57 PM
Soda filled corpses?
Ha - you made me laugh and Coke Zero came out my nose.
Posted by: James | June 19, 2007 at 12:59 PM
No diet sodas for me--Mt Dew or die--more caffeine for the ounce.
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Posted by: gori | July 13, 2007 at 07:04 PM