| In just a moment we are going to look at the | | | | 7.365 and 7.390. If you understand the pH scale |
| ingredients of Coke and Diet Coke (as | | | | above, then you can see that the body likes to keep |
| representatives for the dark cola industry) and how | | | | itself slightly alkaline and in a very narrow range. |
| they nourish your new cells. You see, every day you | | | | Anything outside this range causes stress on the |
| replace 1% of your existing cells with new cells. It is | | | | body. The farther outside this range, then the stress |
| what I call "The 1% Solution!" to better health. You | | | | on the body goes up exponentially. |
| have the ability to directly impact the health of your | | | | Since Coke has a pH of 2, it is 100,000 times more |
| new cells by the choices you make in what you eat | | | | acidic than a pH of 7. This has a huge impact on your |
| and drink. Now, before we examine how dark colas | | | | system. Your body will use its alkaline minerals such |
| and water nourish your cells, I want to talk about | | | | as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to |
| Indiana Jones. | | | | neutralize the acid to return your internal biochemical |
| I'm a big fan of the Indiana Jones movie series with | | | | environment back to normal. Compounding this acidic |
| Harrison Ford. With the buzz about the 4th | | | | problem is that your body also maintains a balanced |
| installment being filmed it reminded me of "Indiana | | | | concentration of phosphorus, calcium, and potassium |
| Jones and the Last Crusade!" If you remember, | | | | in the bloodstream to provide the right combination |
| Harrison Ford had to successfully complete several | | | | for building new bones and maintaining old ones. The |
| tasks to find the chamber that contained the Holy | | | | shock of incoming phosphorus with zero calcium |
| Grail. When he finally entered the cave where the | | | | causes the calcium levels in the blood to decline. This |
| Holy Grail was located it was being guarded by the | | | | triggers your body to dissolve calcium from the |
| last of the appointed Crusaders. After all the action | | | | bones to restore this balance. This reaction, continued |
| that takes place, Harrison Ford is in a position to | | | | over time, leads to osteoporosis. Additionally, the |
| choose the cup he thinks Christ drank from at the | | | | body usually dissolves more calcium than needed so |
| Last Supper. This last Crusader says to him, "Choose | | | | the excess calcium is eliminated in the following order: |
| Wisely!" | | | | 1. Excretion in the urine. |
| Now, you might be thinking what does this have to | | | | 2. Deposited in the joints leading to osteoarthritis and |
| do with our examination of Coke and Diet Coke and | | | | bursitis. |
| the soft drink industry. Well, at the time of the | | | | 3. Formation into stones such as kidney stones. |
| movie, the Coca-Cola Company made a highly | | | | 4. Deposited in the arteries leading to calcified plaque. |
| entertaining and successful TV ad featuring this same | | | | Because phosphoric acid is such a strong acid, it |
| last Crusader as a mom tried to reach her | | | | reduces the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the |
| refrigerator to get a cold drink. As she reached into | | | | stomach. Hydrochloric acid is used for the digestion |
| the fridge to quench her thirst, the Crusader says to | | | | of protein and fats as well as aiding in the absorption |
| her, "Choose Wisely!" And, what was her choice? A | | | | of minerals. When hydrochloric acid is reduced |
| refreshing can of Coke! | | | | inadequate digestion occurs which can result in |
| Well, let's see how wise her choice really was! | | | | bloating and flatulence. Additionally, mineral absorption |
| Here is the list of ingredients on a can of Coke in the | | | | is hindered which can lead to anemia (lack of iron) |
| order that they appear:o Watero High Fructose Corn | | | | and accelerate the trend toward osteoporosis. Plus, |
| Syrup / (Aspartame in Diet Coke)o Caramel Coloro | | | | low stomach acidity allows harmful bacteria, yeasts |
| Phosphoric Acido Natural Flavorso Caffeine | | | | and parasites to grow which can affect your health. |
| Ingredients are listed in the order of greatest volume | | | | Finally, the March/April 2007 edition of General |
| or greatest percentage of that ingredient in | | | | Dentistry contains a report that shows, even with |
| relationship to the overall product. Water is a good | | | | minimal exposure, phosphoric acid in soda causes |
| thing and since it is listed first that means that it is in | | | | tooth enamel erosion. |
| greatest volume. We'll talk about water and its | | | | Natural Flavors - This ingredient is even harder to get |
| importance at the end of this article. For now, let's | | | | a handle on than Caramel Color. Technically, natural |
| focus on the next ingredient. | | | | flavors are chemicals or a set of chemicals extracted |
| High Fructose Corn Syrup - The process for making | | | | from a natural substance, usually a plant or animal, |
| high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) out of corn was | | | | without any chemical modifications. Companies are |
| developed in the 1970s. It is a complicated chemical | | | | not required to disclose what those chemicals are or |
| and enzymatic process that converts corn starch into | | | | the procedure that they use to create the "Natural |
| HFCS which has a final concentration of about 55% | | | | Flavors." |
| fructose and 45% glucose with the exact same | | | | Caffeine - This ingredient has the ability to stimulate |
| sweetness and taste as sucrose. Since many | | | | mental alertness, overcome fatigue, and enhance |
| consumers see the word "Fructose" they associate it | | | | endurance. Sounds great! But, it is an addictive |
| with fruit and assume that it is healthier than sugar. | | | | chemical that comes with a cost to your body. As a |
| Dr. Meira Field and a team of investigators from the | | | | stimulant it can be accompanied by constriction of |
| USDA decided to find out if this assumption was true. | | | | the cerebral arteries, rapid heartbeat, and high blood |
| They fed rats a high amount of sucrose which is | | | | pressure. Caffeine also causes the release of |
| composed of glucose and fructose. These rats | | | | adrenaline which increases blood sugar. The pancreas |
| developed multiple health problems especially when | | | | reacts by secreting insulin to keep the blood sugar |
| they were deficient in certain nutrients, such as | | | | level stable by driving blood sugar into the cells for |
| copper. So, the next question was whether the | | | | oxidation and energy production. However, excess |
| health problems were caused by the glucose | | | | blood sugar in the cells will be stored as fat. |
| component or the fructose component. They | | | | People who consistently consume soft drinks high in |
| repeated their studies with two new groups of rats. | | | | sugar with caffeine constantly create an unbalanced |
| One group received high amounts of glucose and the | | | | cycling process that puts undue stress on both the |
| other group received high amounts of fructose. The | | | | adrenal glands and the pancreas. Over time this has |
| glucose group was unaffected. | | | | an impact on their ability to function properly resulting |
| The fructose group had severe, life threatening | | | | in potential health issues such as arthritis and diabetes. |
| results! The male rats developed anemia, high | | | | Aluminum - This ingredient is not listed on any soft |
| cholesterol and heart hypertrophy. Additionally, the | | | | drink can since the manufacturer does not add it to |
| male rats had delayed testicular development. The | | | | the liquid mixture at the time of manufacturing. |
| female rats were not as severely affected, but they | | | | However, over time, phosphoric acid is strong enough |
| were unable to produce live young. From this | | | | to eat away enough aluminum from the container to |
| research, Dr. Field made the following statement: | | | | leach this metal into the liquid contents. Aluminum is |
| "The medical profession thinks fructose is better for | | | | deposited in the brain and bone tissue. In the brain, |
| diabetics than sugar, but every cell in the body can | | | | aluminum results in the formation of neurofibrillary |
| metabolize glucose. However, all fructose must be | | | | tangles or lesions similar to those who suffer from |
| metabolized in the liver. The livers of the rats on the | | | | Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, aluminum exposure |
| high fructose diet looked like the livers of alcoholics, | | | | increases the break down of the bone structure |
| plugged with fat and cirrhotic." | | | | while at the same time reducing new bone formation. |
| HFCS contains more fructose than sugar. Plus, this | | | | Water - This ingredient is the number one ingredient |
| fructose is more immediately available because it is | | | | in all sodas. Thus, you might think that this is a good |
| not bound up in sucrose. | | | | thing. Given the consumption of soda in the United |
| Aspartame - This ingredient is a sweetener used to | | | | States, it is interesting that experts estimate that |
| replace high fructose corn syrup or sugar. When | | | | 75% of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. |
| digested, aspartame breaks down into three | | | | WHY? Because most of the contents of a soda |
| chemicals:o Aspartic acid is a toxin that can cause | | | | must be processed by the liver! All chemicals, all |
| serious chronic neurological disorders.o Phenylalanine | | | | artificial sweeteners, and most sugars especially |
| can decrease serotonin levels in the brain leading to | | | | fructose need to be metabolized by the liver. Most |
| emotional disorders, depression, and poor quality | | | | of the water in the soda goes to help the liver |
| sleep.o Methanol is a poison that is metabolized by | | | | detoxify the body. This means that very little of the |
| the liver into formaldehyde and formic acid. | | | | water actually ends up in the cells to help them |
| Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin, carcinogen, and | | | | function properly. |
| mutagen. Formic acid is the active chemical in bee and | | | | I have a more extensive article on water which you |
| ant stings. Methanol is a cumulative poison. It | | | | can find on the internet. Briefly, water is a necessary |
| symptoms include headaches, shooting pains, | | | | and foundational part of our lives. Every biochemical |
| memory lapses, numbness, and nerve inflammation. It | | | | action that takes place in your body takes place in |
| can cause blurred vision, retinal damage, and blindness. | | | | water. By itself, pure water contains no calories, no |
| Ralph Walton MD of Northeastern Ohio Universities | | | | artificial sweeteners and colorings, and is fat-free, |
| College of Medicine did a survey of aspartame | | | | cholesterol-free, low in sodium and not acidic. |
| studies. Here is his conclusion: | | | | Summary! |
| "Of the 166 studies felt to have relevance for | | | | You've been presented with a lot of information. To |
| questions of human safety, 74 had NutraSweet | | | | help summarize my findings, here is a side-by-side |
| industry related funding and 92 were independently | | | | comparison of the potential health benefits of dark |
| funded. One hundred percent of the industry funded | | | | cola drinks vs. water. |
| research attested to aspartame's safety, whereas 92 | | | | Dark Cola Drinks: None |
| percent of the independently funded research | | | | Water: Most significant factor in losing fat! |
| identified a problem." | | | | Serves as an appetite suppressant! |
| Because of these chemical side effects, some soft | | | | Helps the body metabolize stored fat! |
| drink companies will replace aspartame with saccharin. | | | | Helps to reduce water retention! |
| In 1978, the National Academy of Sciences concluded | | | | Medium for the body's biochemistry! |
| that saccharin is a potential cancer-causing agent in | | | | Aids in maintaining proper acid-alkaline balance! |
| humans as well as having the ability to enhance the | | | | Here is a side-by- side comparison of the potential |
| carcinogenic effects of other cancer causing agents. | | | | health risks from dark cola drinks vs. water: |
| The FDA's position is that saccharin should not be | | | | Water: None |
| used in food. Since soft drinks are not technically | | | | Dark Cola Drinks: |
| considered food that restriction does not apply. | | | | Alzheimer's disease |
| Caramel Color - This ingredient is hard to get a handle | | | | Anemia |
| on. The process for making caramel color is pretty | | | | Arthritis |
| straight forward. It is obtained by heating sugar until | | | | Bursitis |
| a brown color and characteristic flavor develops. I | | | | Calcified arterial plaque |
| could not find any research on this ingredient with | | | | Depression |
| any definitive positives or negatives. | | | | Diabetes |
| Phosphoric Acid - This ingredient is used because it | | | | Emotional disorders |
| creates an acidic medium which enhances the | | | | Fertility problems in both men and women |
| absorption of carbon dioxide to give your drink more | | | | Headaches |
| fizz. Fizz in your drink might be nice but what affect | | | | Heart hypertrophy |
| does phosphoric acid have on your body. | | | | High blood pressure |
| To start we need to look at the pH level of Coke | | | | High cholesterol |
| caused by the phosphoric acid. Coca-Cola is | | | | Kidney stones |
| considered a "Super Acidifying Food" with a pH of 2. | | | | Neurological disorders |
| To understand this we need talk about pH. The pH | | | | Osteoarthritis |
| scale measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a | | | | Osteoporosis |
| substance and ranges from 0 to 14:o 0 is complete | | | | Overweight/Obesity |
| acido 0 to 6.99 is acidico 7 is neutral or the perfect | | | | Poor quality sleep |
| balance between acid and alkalineo 7.01 to 13.99 is | | | | Stroke |
| alkalineo 14 is complete alkaline | | | | Tooth decay |
| The lower on the scale below 7 the more acidic | | | | Now, I'm not saying that the soda industry is the |
| something is and the higher on the scale above 7 the | | | | primary cause of all these health issues. What I am |
| more alkaline something is. | | | | saying is that many of the ingredients in soda have |
| Now this is what gets most people confused. The pH | | | | been linked to the above health issues. I find it |
| scale is not arithmetical but logarithmic. Logarithmic | | | | interesting that since 1970 as soda consumption has |
| means that the values separating each unit are not | | | | increased, along with an increase in processed foods |
| of equal value along the scale but increases in | | | | that contain many of the same ingredients plus more, |
| proportion to their distance from a pH of 7. For | | | | there has been a correlating increase in all of the |
| example, a pH reading of 6 is 10 times more acidic | | | | above wellness issues. |
| than 7, but a pH of 5 is not 20 times more acidic but | | | | Remember, the goal of this article is to understand |
| 100 times more acidic. If you're catching on, then a | | | | how the ingredients of dark colas will nourish your |
| pH reading of 4 is 1000 times more acidic than a pH | | | | new cells. Will they provide good nutrition or poor |
| of 7. Given this fact, what would seem like a small | | | | nutrition to the 1% of cells that are new each day? I |
| change in pH and be no big deal is, in reality, a big | | | | think it's pretty clear what your choice should be. So, |
| deal to your body. | | | | as the aged Crusader from Indiana Jones and the |
| Although some organs and organ fluids (like the | | | | Last Crusade stands next to your refrigerator |
| gastric region) have a higher or lower pH than what | | | | encouraging you to "Choose Wisely!" grab the bottled |
| is normal for the body, your body functions best | | | | water and not the aluminum can of Coke! |
| when the pH of the internal biochemical environment | | | | Until next time, may we both age youthfully! |
| (your blood, lymph and intracellular fluids) is between | | | | |