Pepsi One and Potential Cancer-Causing Chemical

[cokonkel]

So I know we have had discussions on here about diet soda before, so I thought of you guys when I saw this on WebMD just now:

Pepsi One and Potential Cancer-Causing Chemical

from the article:

Pepsi One has higher levels of a potential cancer-causing chemical than other soft drinks, according to a study released Thursday by Consumer Reports magazine.

Researchers looked at levels of a chemical called 4-methylimidazole (4-MeI), which is found in artificial caramel coloring used in soft drinks. There are no federal limits on the chemical's use, but California requires warning labels on foods or beverages that expose consumers to more than 29 micrograms of 4-MeI a day, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Consumer Reports study said that 12-ounce cans of the low-calorie soft drink Pepsi One bought in California contained as much as 43.5 micrograms of 4-MeI

I thought I'd post this for anyone that drinks this soft drink in case they'd like to switch to something else. I have always been very anti-soda (diet or not) personally, but I know there are some who have a tough time giving it up.

I thought Pepsi-Co's response was pretty hilarious, though.

Pepsi disputed the study findings. The soda maker said levels of 4-MeI in its drinks did not equal 29 micrograms a day because "the average amount of diet soda consumed by those who drink it is approximately 100 [milliliters] per day, or less than a third of a 12 [ounce] can," the Times reported. Goya Foods Inc. refused comment, the newspaper said.

Seriously?? Their argument that people won't be exposed to more than 29 mcg per day is that they assume people won't drink more than 1/3 of a can in a given day? So their argument, essentially, is that people should buy and consume less of their product and they'll be okey-dokey. Gotta love corporate spin tactics.

 

[PhyllisG]

I am suspicious of all sodas. Don't drink any of them. I have had doubts about them for a very long time.

 

[RapidBreath]

If I could go back in time and tell my teenage self not to drink diet sodas it would make a huge difference in my life. I used to drink a couple of 24 pack cases a week. Why? Because it was 'calorie' free. What a terrible joke. I got fatter (because diet sweeteners do that.), I got terrible headaches, and I earned 7 years of interstitial cystitis (bleeding in the bladder.) Not to mention the brittle bones and bone loss I experienced and multiple fractures.

I can never get those years of pain back. My life was a mess. School was hard, I never dated because I hurt literally all the time.

For shame diet soda industry!!!

 

[cokonkel]

If I could go back in time and tell my teenage self not to drink diet sodas it would make a huge difference in my life. I used to drink a couple of 24 pack cases a week. Why? Because it was 'calorie' free. What a terrible joke. I got fatter (because diet sweeteners do that.), I got terrible headaches, and I earned 7 years of interstitial cystitis (bleeding in the bladder.) Not to mention the brittle bones and bone loss I experienced and multiple fractures.

I can never get those years of pain back. My life was a mess. School was hard, I never dated because I hurt literally all the time.

For shame diet soda industry!!!

RapidBreath I also have interstitial cystitis! I commiserate with you completely. It totally stinks. I basically had to figure it out and diagnose myself as my doctor didn't even mention it as a possibility. I kept going in for pelvic and urinary pain thinking I had chronic UTI's but they NEVER found any infection. When I mentioned it to my other doctor (who I prefer but rarely get to see because she is SO darn hard to get into) she agreed with my "self-diagnosis". Ugh. Thanks for nothing docs! I've since had to quit coffee and basically anything in my diet that is acidic. Soda's, of course, would be included! Luckily I stopped drinking soda years ago, but I also have to give up my beloved red wine and salsa/chili.

 

[IslandRose]

I don't drink soda either. I prefer water, almond or coconut milk, or 100% fruit juice. I consider WebMD a reliable source so I will forward this article to all my loved ones that I know are soda addicts. Thanks for sharing.