Soft Drinks Pose Benzene Risk
Don't assume the FDA is keeping you safe from benzene contamination in consumer food products. Although the FDA regulates benzene levels in bottled water, regulation of soft drink beverages is sporadic at best. Benzene is a known carcinogen and poses a number of serious health risks.
A recent study conducted by the FDA and EPA looked at only 200 of the thousands of soft drinks available to American consumers. That study found benzene levels higher than the US. EPA drinking water limit in close to one in ten of the beverages surveyed.
How It Got There
Most often benzene contamination in soft drinks is caused by a reaction between common benzoate preservatives, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Storage is a major variable here as heat and light are known to speed up this reaction.
How You Can Protect Yourself From Benzene In Soft Drinks
In light of this study it seems that complete removal of soft drinks from your diet is the most prudent course of action. Of course this option is not for everyone, so here are a few ways to play it safer.
- Avoid soft drinks with added vitamin C
- Limit soft drink consumption
- Store soft drinks in a cool dark place.
Benzene exposure is linked to cancer (acute myelogenous leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in particular), immune system suppression, reproductive damage and more.
