Your Favorite Soft Drink Could Make You Vulnerable to Cancer & Pre-mature Ageing

Research from a British university suggests a common preservative found in drinks has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA. So what exactly does that mean in non-technical language? For years, we have known that alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. The results of this research appear to substantiate that the effects of sodium benzoate (a preservative used in soft drinks) can have the same negative effects on the body as alcohol.

Soft drink manufactures use sodium benzoate (a naturally occurring ingredients in berries) to prevent mold. The danger intensifies when sodium benzoate is mixed with Vitamin C in soft drinks, because it causes benzene, a carcinogenic substance. Carcinogens are cancer causing and should always be avoided.

Peter Piper (a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology) of Sheffield University conducted a study on the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells and found the results alarming, "These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether." Simply stated, when DNA is altered or damaged, it can have far-reaching consequences by altering the body's ability to prevent cancer and creating changes that accelerate the aging process.

Michael Knowles, director of scientific and regulatory affairs at Coca-Cola Europe, stated that soft drink makers are aware of the formation of this ingredient. "We know how it is formed and we know how we can minimize the formation." He went on to say that manufacturers believe the benefits outweigh the risks. However, in an environment that is already over-saturated with pollutants and dangerous chemicals that have adverse affects on the body, doesn't the public need to be aware of this danger and then make individual choices?

Heat is another fact that soft drink consumers need to be aware. According to Mike Redman, an ABA scientist, heat and light seem to have an effect on the amount of benzene formed. He said benzene levels would not rise significantly at room temperature, but could rise under extreme conditions. Another scientist, Glen Lawrence, had a strong opinion. Glen believes there is no good reason to add Vitamin C to soft drinks that use sodium benzoate as a preservative and the simple act of eliminating this ingredient could prevent the formation of benzene.

Dr. Ruthie Harper, a well-known nutritionist with a clinic in Austin, TX recommends that you reduce or eliminate consumption of these dangerous beverages. She suggests that you replace them with healthy alternatives like sparkling water, lemonade and herbal teas. If you are interested in learning more about nutrition and healthy alternatives, visit her website at http://ruthieharper.com/nma/index.html.