Home > Nutrition > 9 Toxic Ingredients in Soda Are Bad for Your Health
9 Toxic Ingredients in Soda Are Bad for Your Health
Updated on November 14, 2022
6 min read
By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Dietitian/Nutritionist
In this article:
Canned soft drinks and sodas have become among the most sold beverages in the United States. (1) Although most people are aware of the adverse health effects (2) associated with soda consumption, an increase in their consumption has been observed over the years.
Sodas contain many toxic ingredients that can interfere with your metabolism and have been linked to diabetes, heart issues, and dental issues. (3)(4)
Here are a few of the harmful ingredients present in soda:
Toxic Ingredients in Soda
Many canned soft drinks contain the following ingredients that are not good for the body.
Advertisements
1. Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A (BPA) can mess with the hormone system of your body. It is found in minor quantities in some popular soft drinks.
BPA can copy estrogen, preventing natural estrogen from completing its cycle, thus disrupting menstrual cycles in women, decreasing sperm count in men, causing early puberty in young girls, and also increasing the risk of certain cancers. (5)(6)
Most soft drinks have a deep caramel color, which is attained by adding an artificial colorant that contains 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a compound that may have carcinogenic properties. (9)
Some research studies suggest that the use of caramel colors that contain 4-MEI may lead to pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and other health issues. (10) However, these reports are yet to be confirmed as there have been different results found in multiple studies. (11)(12)
3. Phosphoric acid and caffeine
Phosphoric acid found in sodas has been linked to a host of health problems, including decreased bone density, tissue damage, and increased risk of cardiac issues. (13)
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) contains bromine, which is a toxic chemical that can lead to loss of muscle coordination when consumed in large amounts. (17) Some studies have also linked the consumption of bromine to memory loss and thyroid issues. (18)
Advertisements
5. Sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate is a preservative added to beverages. It can be safe to ingest in very low doses (0–5 mg/kg of body weight).
However, in excessive doses, it may cause kidney damage, liver diseases, and decreased sperm count. It has also been known to affect your mental health and causes mood swings or depressive episodes. (19)
Most soft drinks nowadays contain high-fructose corn syrup as it is a cheaper and longer-lasting alternative to sugar. (23)(24)
Advertisements
7. Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener mainly found in diet sodas. (2) It has been linked with the development of heart diseases and hormone imbalances.
Aspartame is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol in the body. Some studies have reported that high amounts of methanol in pregnant women can be a risk factor for the fetus. It has been linked to the development of autism. (25)(26)
8. Acesulfame potassium
Acesulfame potassium is another artificial sweetener used in sodas. (27) It is almost 200 times sweeter than sucrose. (28)
Multiple studies suggest that the consumption of acesulfame potassium may affect gut health and disturb its natural microbiome. It has also been known to cause certain cancers in the urinary system. (29)(30)
9. Saccharin
Saccharin is also an artificial sweetener used in place of sucrose. It may lead to health disorders such as bladder cancers, diabetes, and liver disease. (31)
Expert Recommendation
Instead of reaching for ready-to-drink sodas, consume fresh lemonade or fruit juice. Add a single vitamin C tablet to get that effervescent effect and bubbly mouth feel of soda.
Advertisements
Final Word
While it may be well known that soda is bad for health, knowing exactly why and how it is harmful may help more people quit their soda addiction. If you get soda cravings, opt for healthier alternatives such as fresh juices, lemonade, or coffee.
Anjum I, Jaffery SS, Fayyaz M, Wajid A, Ans AH. Sugar Beverages and Dietary Sodas Impact on Brain Health: A Mini Literature Review. Cureus. 2018;10(6):e2756. Published 2018 Jun 7. doi:10.7759/cureus.2756.
Ashok I, Sheeladevi R. Biochemical responses and mitochondrial mediated activation of apoptosis on long-term effect of aspartame in rat brain. Redox Biol. 2014;2:820-831. Published 2014 Apr 29. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2014.04.011.
Song IS, Han K, Ko Y, Park YG, Ryu JJ, Park JB. Associations between the consumption of carbonated beverages and periodontal disease: The 2008-2010 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(28):e4253. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004253.
Chen L, Liu R, Zhao Y, Shi Z. High Consumption of Soft Drinks Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Fracture: A 7-Year Follow-Up Study. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):530. Published 2020 Feb 19. doi:10.3390/nu12020530.
Andújar N, Gálvez-Ontiveros Y, Zafra-Gómez A, et al. Bisphenol A Analogues in Food and Their Hormonal and Obesogenic Effects: A Review. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2136. Published 2019 Sep 6. doi:10.3390/nu11092136.
Inadera H. Neurological Effects of Bisphenol A and its Analogues. Int J Med Sci. 2015;12(12):926-936. Published 2015 Oct 30. doi:10.7150/ijms.13267.
Wassenaar PNH, Trasande L, Legler J. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Early-Life Exposure to Bisphenol A and Obesity-Related Outcomes in Rodents. Environ Health Perspect. 2017;125(10):106001. Published 2017 Oct 5. doi:10.1289/EHP1233.
Farooq MU, Jalees MI, Qurat-Ul-Ain, Hussain G, Anis M, Islam U. Health risk assessment of endocrine disruptor bisphenol A leaching from plastic bottles of milk and soft drinks. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021;28(40):57090-57098. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-14653-4.
Smith TJ, Wolfson JA, Jiao D, et al. Caramel color in soft drinks and exposure to 4-methylimidazole: a quantitative risk assessment. PLoS One. 2015;10(2):e0118138. Published 2015 Feb 18. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.01181381.
Vollmuth TA. Caramel color safety – An update. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018;111:578-596. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2017.12.0041.
Rekha B, Velmurugan G, Freddy AJ, et al. Chronic intake of 4-Methylimidazole induces Hyperinsulinemia and Hypoglycaemia via Pancreatic Beta Cell Hyperplasia and Glucose Dyshomeostasis. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):17037. Published 2018 Nov 19. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-35071-6.
Mateo-Fernández M, Alves-Martínez P, Del Río-Celestino M, Font R, Merinas-Amo T, Alonso-Moraga Á. Food Safety and Nutraceutical Potential of Caramel Colour Class IV Using In Vivo and In Vitro Assays. Foods. 2019;8(9):392. Published 2019 Sep 5. doi:10.3390/foods80903921.
Tucker KL, Morita K, Qiao N, Hannan MT, Cupples LA, Kiel DP. Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(4):936-942. doi:10.1093/ajcn/84.4.936.
Calvo MS, Uribarri J. Public health impact of dietary phosphorus excess on bone and cardiovascular health in the general population. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(1):6-15. doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.053934.
Fung TT, Arasaratnam MH, Grodstein F, et al. Soda consumption and risk of hip fractures in postmenopausal women in the Nurses’ Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014;100(3):953-958. doi:10.3945/ajcn.114.083352.
Chen L, Liu R, Zhao Y, Shi Z. High Consumption of Soft Drinks Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Fracture: A 7-Year Follow-Up Study. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):530. Published 2020 Feb 19. doi:10.3390/nu12020530.
Horowitz BZ. Bromism from excessive cola consumption. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1997;35(3):315-320. doi:10.3109/15563659709001219.
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Brominated vegetable oil (BVO). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/brominated-vegetable-oil-bvo.
Walczak-Nowicka ŁJ, Herbet M. Sodium Benzoate-Harmfulness and Potential Use in Therapies for Disorders Related to the Nervous System: A Review. Nutrients. 2022;14(7):1497. Published 2022 Apr 2. doi:10.3390/nu14071497.
Cozma AI, Sievenpiper JL. The Role of Fructose, Sucrose and High-fructose Corn Syrup in Diabetes. Eur Endocrinol. 2014;10(1):51-60. doi:10.17925/EE.2014.10.01.51.
DeChristopher LR, Uribarri J, Tucker KL. Intake of high fructose corn syrup sweetened soft drinks, fruit drinks and apple juice is associated with prevalent coronary heart disease, in U.S. adults, ages 45-59 y. BMC Nutr. 2017;3:51. Published 2017 Jun 27. doi:10.1186/s40795-017-0168-9.
Chapman CL, Grigoryan T, Vargas NT, et al. High-fructose corn syrup-sweetened soft drink consumption increases vascular resistance in the kidneys at rest and during sympathetic activation. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2020;318(4):F1053-F1065. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00374.2019.
Moynihan P. Sugars and Dental Caries: Evidence for Setting a Recommended Threshold for Intake. Adv Nutr. 2016;7(1):149-156. Published 2016 Jan 15. doi:10.3945/an.115.009365.
Get the facts: Sugar-sweetened beverages and consumption. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages-intake.html. Published April 11, 2022.
Czarnecka K, Pilarz A, Rogut A, et al. Aspartame-True or False? Narrative Review of Safety Analysis of General Use in Products. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1957. Published 2021 Jun 7. doi:10.3390/nu13061957.
Emberti Gialloreti L, Mazzone L, Benvenuto A, et al. Risk and Protective Environmental Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence-Based Principles and Recommendations. J Clin Med. 2019;8(2):217. Published 2019 Feb 8. doi:10.3390/jcm8020217.
Bian X, Chi L, Gao B, Tu P, Ru H, Lu K. The artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium affects the gut microbiome and body weight gain in CD-1 mice. PLoS One. 2017;12(6):e0178426. Published 2017 Jun 8. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178426.
Ibi D, Suzuki F, Hiramatsu M. Effect of AceK (acesulfame potassium) on brain function under dietary restriction in mice. Physiol Behav. 2018;188:291-297. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.024.
Liu L, Zhang P, Wang Y, Cui W, Li D. The relationship between the use of artificial sweeteners and cancer: A meta-analysis of case-control studies. Food Sci Nutr. 2021;9(8):4589-4597. Published 2021 Jun 23. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2395.
Azeez OH, Alkass SY, Persike DS. Long-Term Saccharin Consumption and Increased Risk of Obesity, Diabetes, Hepatic Dysfunction, and Renal Impairment in Rats. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(10):681. Published 2019 Oct 9. doi:10.3390/medicina55100681.
