The Dark Side of Soda
Alternet reports that the FDA has found benzene in soda:
After several trials, Cadbury-Schweppes’ chemists determined that the benzene was caused by a chemical reaction between the preservative sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). The effect was found to be especially prevalent in diet sodas, and shot up to even higher levels after products were subjected to extremes of heat and light. According to the documents, Cadbury-Schweppes’ Diet Crush was found to contain benzene at 25 parts per billion (ppb) — five times the acceptable EPA limit.
Another concern, and also somewhat obscure, are the long-term effects of the artificial sweeteners used in both regular and diet sodas. The dangers of Aspartame (the main component in NutraSweet and Equal) was only found after it was released on the market. Sucralose (the main component in Splenda, now widely used in sodas and energy drinks) is the hot new artificial sweetener with a deceptive campaign (”made from sugar”) that is hardly natural and cannot be confirmed to be 100% safe. (The voluntary “long-term” study of Sucralose’ effects conducted by the company and submitted to the FDA lasted a “long” 6 months. Alas, this is the normal minimum requirement for a lot of new products seeking FDA approval. For the topic of the FDA and food safety, I recommend the book Food Politics by Marion Nestle.)
Whole Foods currently refuses to carry any products that contain aspartame, saccharine or sucralose.
More about articifial sweeteners:
Life After Aspartame (Tate & Lyle, the producers of Splenda, now gearing up act like Monsato as far as defending its highly lucrative product.)
The Potential Dangers of Sucralose (This page may be unviewable by people in the UK.)
Directory of Sugar Substitute Studies