Would you like flame retardant in your soft drink?

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) Nobody pretends that sodas are a health food. But until recently, there was little talk about how seriously bad it can be to chug the 57 gallons (217 litres) of soft drinks that the average American consumes each year.

What sparked this discussion was New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's controversial ban on the sale of super-sized (larger than 16oz, or half-litre) sodas in movie theaters and fast food restaurants. The ban was approved by the city's board of health in September and will take effect in March 2013. It has generally been applauded by public health activists who blame the sugary drinks for a nationwide spike in obesity and diabetes, especially among teens for whom it is the number one source of calories, according to a study by the National Cancer Institute (pdf).

Many school districts around the country have taken soda cans out of their vending machines, and legislation seeking to restrict federal food stamps from being used to purchase soda and other "junk foods" was introduced during the past year in California, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, Florida and Texas. None of these bills has yet passed.

While the high sugar content of America's favorite beverage has gotten most of the bad press, there are other additives that may be putting consumers at risk. For example, phosphorous (a leading cause of osteoporosis), phosphoric acid (which corrodes teeth and damages kidneys) and sodium (which is implicated in high blood pressure) all show up in super-sized doses in America's soft drinks. Recently, Coke and Pepsi decided to reduce the amount of synthetic caramel color 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) in some of their sodas – rather than label these drinks with cancer warnings in accord with California health guidelines. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/05/flame-retardant-soft-drink

[randome]

1. Soft drinks are poison by themselves.

This is like complaining that poisonous chemicals are being added to your poison. People need to stop drinking this swill, period.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

3. Absolutely agree...

I have never been a soda drinker and didn't keep it in the house for my children. They are now 30 and 33 and don't drink it even now.

[wercal]

2. 57 gallons a year?!?!?

That's over a gallon a week.

[Quantess]

7. I used to be one of those people.

It was actually more like 2 gallons per week, sometimes more. I have given up all soda pop for good. I'm lucky that the tap water tastes really good here, so I don't miss it!

[doc03]

4. You mean it isn't in there yet? I probably fall in the 57

gallon range with coffee and soda..I am living on borrowed time.

[Le Taz Hot]

5. I never got into the habit.

Even as a kid I preferred iced tea or ice water rather than sodas or kool-aid. Sugary drinks don't quench your thirst and, to me, just makes you more thirsty.

[darkangel218]

6. I didnt know soda damages the kidney?

Ive been drinking soda my whole life, so I guess I'm toast.

[dipsydoodle]

8. I use soft fizzy drinks

to clean the dirt off banjo hooks and nuts etc. Problem is that if dunked for too long the fluid strips the nickel plating too.

[ananda]

9. Geez

Imagine what it does to stomach linings and human organs.

[dipsydoodle]

10. Yes I know.

I stick with beer, chocolate milk and orange juice in no particular order.

[Arcanetrance]

11. I usually have a Manhattan special once a week those and the occasional aranciata