Phosphoric acid can severely affect human health through the inhalation of mist, ingestion and contact with skin and eyes.
It is a safe ingredient approved by national health authorities in all the countries where Coca‑Cola is sold. Did you know? Phosphoric acid contains a small amount of the mineral phosphorus. Phosphorus is found widely in nature and helps give our bodies energy.
Phosphoric acid is used as an acidifying agent to give colas their tangy flavor. 3. Due to the use of phosphoric acid, cola is a actually more acidic than lemon juice or vinegar!
Phosphoric acid is added to carbonated beverages to give them a spicy taste and not keep the bubbles smooth. It also slows the growth of molds and bacteria, otherwise they multiply rapidly in sugar solutions of soda and soft drinks. Phosphoric acid in carbonated beverages is commonly used to eliminate rust.
Carbonated beverage consumption
Cola beverages, in particular, contain phosphoric acid and have been associated with urinary changes that promote kidney stones. Drinking 2 or more colas per day was associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease.
* Phosphoric Acid can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. * Long-term exposure to the liquid may cause drying and cracking of the skin.
While dark colas, including diet and fruit-flavored varieties, are at the top of the acidity chart and contain harmful phosphoric acid, non-cola soft drinks still cause two to five times the amount of damage.
The consumption of cola beverages rich in phosphoric acid has been linked to urinary changes, chronic kidney disease and kidney stones.
Coke may be a classic, but experts say it's as bad as any soda when it comes to your health. "Coca-Cola can increase one's risk for osteoporosis," says Michelle Rauch, MS, RDN.
The following sodas are listed from lowest level of acid to highest: root beer, Diet 7UP, Diet Coke, Diet Mountain Dew, Sprite, Mountain Dew, 7UP, Coke Zero, Diet Dr. Pepper, Slice Orange, Squirt, Fanta Orange, Pepsi, Coca Cola, Cherry Coke.
Excessive intake of phosphoric acid changes calcium/phosphorus ratio and imbalance of not only the calcium and phosphorus ratio but also the acid-base in the body, resulting in decreased bone density and even osteoporosis and fractures [20,21,22]. Soft drinks consumption is positively associated with obesity risk.
If you drink sodas, diet versions of Sprite®, 7UP®, ginger ale, orange soda, and root beer are phosphorus-free choices. Colas such as Diet Coke® and Diet Pepsi® contain added phosphorus. Regular sugar-containing sodas are not recommended for a variety of health reasons (USDA and HHS 2015).
In coffee, phosphoric acid makes up roughly less than 1% of coffee's dry matter and is believed to originate from the hydrolysis of phytic acid from the soil. However, unlike some of the other acids - phosphoric is by far the most potent and can easily be 100 times stronger than other acids.
The main thing the graphic ignores here is the issue of concentration; the concentration of phosphoric acid in coke is very low (around 0.055%). Compare this to the acid content of an orange, which is around 1%, and it becomes clear that concern about Coke's acid content is being a little overblown.
Schweppes is a Swiss beverage brand that is sold around the world. It includes a variety of lemonade, carbonated waters and ginger ales. Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavors, Caramel Color, Caffeine.
Phosphoric acid is considered generally recognized as safe or GRAS by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Can phosphoric acid be used in foods marketed as organic, vegetarian, halal or kosher? Yes, phosphoric acid can be used in products labelled as vegetarian.
Effects of long-term or repeated exposure
The substance may have effects on the upper respiratory tract and lungs. This may result in chronic inflammation and reduced lung function . Mists of this strong inorganic acid are carcinogenic to humans.
Sodas. According to the American Kidney Fund, a recent study suggests that drinking two or more carbonated sodas, diet or regular, each day may increase your risk for chronic kidney disease. Carbonated and energy drinks have both been linked to the formation of kidney stones.
As is well known, cola represents a strong exogenous source of phosphate, due to high phosphorus content (about 15–20 mg/dL), more than other carbonated soft drinks (15).
The main use of phosphoric acid is in the soft drink industry, particularly cola and root beer beverages. Phosphoric acid functions as an acidulant and provides the specific tart note to the flavor of these products. Regular intake of cola beverages has been associated to low bone mineral density (BMD) in women.