DISEASE IN A CAN

Out of over 100 soft drinks and other beverages analyzed by the government, five contained levels of benzene -- a cancer-causing chemical linked to leukemia -- that exceed federal standards set for benzene in drinking water, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While the federal benzene limit for drinking water is 5 parts per billion (ppb), researchers found benzene levels as high as 79 ppb in the drinks, and most had at least some detectable level of benzene present.

Benzene is able to form in beverages that contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and the preservatives sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Exposure to heat and light can trigger the formation.

The five drinks that contained excessive benzene levels were:
• Safeway Select Diet Orange
• Crush Pineapple
• AquaCal Strawberry Flavored Water Beverage
• Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange
• Giant Light Cranberry Juice Cocktail.

I am still shocked every time I reflect on the fact that the number one source of calories in America comes from soda. We clearly have a long way to go to share even the most fundamental, basic nutrition concepts to the typical highly deceived and manipulated American consumer.

One of the most important physical choices you can make is to discontinue the use of any types of soda and replace it with clean water or soda alternatives (see below). This can have absolutely profound influences on not only your health but the health of your children.

Studies demonstrate that phosphorus, a common ingredient in soda, can deplete bones of calcium. You will see it on the label as “phosphoric acid”. The acid nature of the ingredient causes the body to release calcium from bone in order to buffer the blood back to a neutral pH. The blood wins, but the bones lose.

A 1994 Harvard study of bone fractures in teenage athletes found a strong association between cola beverage consumption and bone fractures in 14-year-old girls. The girls who drank cola were about five times more likely to suffer bone fractures than girls who didn't consume soda pop.

Surveys have found that parents are major role models for their kids' eating habits, even more so than their peers.

• Almost one-third of the children surveyed drank soft drinks daily, and most drank "regular," not "diet," drinks.
• Consumption was greater among boys than girls and their intake increased as they got older
• Virtually all of the respondents liked or "strongly liked" the taste of soft drinks. The "strongly liked" group was almost five times more likely to have soft drinks at least five times a week
• A child's odds of having a soft drink daily almost doubled if they watched at least 3.5 hours of TV
• Soft drinks are far more likely to be consumed when they're available in homes and schools

So what are the alternatives for the odd treat when you want to serve a beverage other than pure water to your little ones? Health food stores and health supermarkets offer terrific soda look a likes. One of my favorites is the “light mango organic spritzer”. It is fizzy and yummy and nice over ice on a hot day. The ingredients are organic mango purée and naturally carbonated spring water. The “light” has no artificial sweetener, just a lower proportion of the mango so it is not as sweet.

I even cut the light version with Perrier, but those who are used to drinking sweet sodas should have no problem with the full strength version. There is a wide variety of flavors and they come in convenient soda cans for packing to a picnic or party. So for summer time barbeques and special occasions do your family a huge favor and spare their bones, teeth and immune systems by choosing a healthy alternative to regular soda pop.