Issue No: HDEH035/17 December 2012

Soft drinks
A soft drink or carbonated beverage is a beverage that typically contains water, sweetener, and
usually a flavoring agent.
Newspapers or magazines often reported that soft drinks contain chemicals and toxins that harm
human health. According to a recent news report, about 1,000 canned drinks are consumed every
minute in Malaysia. Soft drinks contain approximately 3 to 20 teaspoons of sugar.
Then why do we still drink it???

Amazing truth! What is the benefit of soft drink for household? Its a powerful toilet detergent

Coca Cola contains phosphoric acid, which makes the coke taste good. It has a pH of 2.8, (On a scale of 1 -14,
with 1 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being very alkaline). Pure phosphoric acid can eat through
metal, and dissolve concrete. The citric acid in Coke removes stain. Pour a can of coca cola into the toilet bowl.
Let it sit for one hour, and then flush clean. You may also use it to clean sinks and bath tub.

Why are soft drinks harmful?

High fructose corn syrup
A sweetener that associated with an
increased risk of metabolic syndrome,
a condition associated with an
elevated risk of both diabetes and
heart disease.

Phosphoric acid

Ammonia process caramel

When phosphorus is excreted in

the urine, it takes calcium with
it. High phosphate diet has been
associated with bone
breakdown and an increase risk
of osteoporosis.

A coloring that increases risk of

cancer.

Caffeine - 34mg per can

Increase blood pressure, and
associated with osteoporosis.

Bisphenol-A (BPA)
Soft drinks cans are coated with a resin that contains BPA. This
is the same cancer causing chemical found in banned plastic
baby bottles, water bottles, and plastic containers that
damage endocrine system, causing premature puberty and
reproductive abnormalities.

Are these soft drinks?

Yes, these are soft drinks but most people treat isotonic drinks as REFRESHING drinks and NOT soft
drinks. This is because isotonic drinks contain electrolytes (sodium, potassium and glucose) used to
replenish loss after training or competition for athletes. However, we often misuse it for many
reasons including:

To replenish mild fluid lost through sweat during hour morning walk

For cooling purposes during mild fever or sore throat

To relieve mild diarrhea and dehydration

Be aware of over consuming these isotonic drinks as it gives you extra calorie leading to weight gain.
Consume them moderately during moderate/ high intensity and long period of exercise.

Where does soft drink come from?

In 1767, Englishman Joseph Priestley first discovered a method of infusing

water with carbon dioxide to make carbonated water when he suspended a
bowl of distilled water above a beer vat at a local brewery in Leeds, England.
His invention of carbonated water (also known as soda water) is the major
and defining component of most soft drinks

A former Malaysian bus driver (age 54 years) drank 4 cans of soft drinks daily, age 30 years diagnosed with diabetes,
almost more than 10 years undergo kidney dialysis
At the age of 30 years, he was treated with diabetes but he was not compliant and refused to take medication or
follow up, 12 years later he needs kidney dialysis, 3 times per week, each time lasts for 4 hours.
His mother loves to drink soft drinks and passed away at 1986 due to diabetes. His 1 year old younger sister also
passed away 11 years ago due to untreated diabetes.
Source: 6th Dec 2012, Sin Chew Daily

Referen

The 4-MI chemical, which provides the caramel color in cola drinks, has been shown in lab studies to cause cancer
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) research shown 4-MI in coke varies from origins of production and it
is produced without a standardized limit; China 56g, 13 times higher than USA; UK 135 g, 33 times higher than
USA; Brazil 267 g, 65 times higher than USA.
FDA stated that human needs to drink at least 1000 tins of coca-cola to cause cancer.
Source: 28th June 2012, Oriental Daily

References
1. Centre for Science in the Public Interest, 2012. Lab Tests Find Carcinogen in Regular and Diet Coke and
Pepsi [online] Available at: http://www.cspinet.org/new/201203051.html [Accessed 10 December
2012]
2. Utusan Konsumer, 2012. How Soft Drinks Impact Your Health. Sept Oct 2012, pp2.
3. Wikipedia, 2012. Soft Drinks [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drinks [Accessed
12 December 2012]
4. Wiki how to do anything, 2012. How To Clean a Toilet with Coke [online] Available at:
http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Toilet-With-Coke [ Accessed 17 December 2012]
5. Malaysian Endocrine & Metabolic Society, 2010. Soft drinks: Go for healthy traditional drink instead
[online] Available at: http://www.mems.my/article.php?aid=328 [Accessed 17 December 2012]
Images were taken from various websites.