There are very few people who do not drink cold drinks. After eating food like biryani or burger, there is no other option but cold drinks. Every sip of your cold drinks might feel like refreshment, but behind the fizz and taste lies a toxic cocktail of hidden ingredients and these are linked to serious health risk.
In this post, we’ll uncover the dark side of cold drinks sold in the market by breaking down each ingredient, explaining how it affects your health, and revealing what manufacturers don’t tell you.
Table of Contents
Ingredients Matter:-
As a common man, we have no alternative way to verify which product is harmful and which is not. Only the ingredient list can help us in this regard. There is no other way.
So, before buying anything, be sure to check the ingredient list.
Common Ingredients used:-
Carbonated water, Added sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Caramel, Synthetic food color(E110), Phosphoric acid, Preservatives(E211), Artificial colors, Acidity regulators (Citric acid 330, Sodium Citrate 331), Caffeine, Emulsifiers & Stabilizers( E1450,E445) etc.
These are the most common ingredients used in cold drinks.
Lets briefly discuss all the ingredients:-
1. Carbonated Water –
Here applied henry”s laws, Water that has been mixed with carbon dioxide gas under high pressure. When the bottle open, the pressure drops and the dissolved carbon dioxide come out as bubbles, which is why you see fizz and hear a hissing sound.
Plain carbonated water hydrates just like normal water. But when combine with acids like phosphoric acid or citric acid, this combination can increase enamel erosion, bloating and gas like problem.
2. Added sugar –
Used for taste and preservation. The most dangerous ingredient used in high amount.
According American Heart Association – “Too much Sugar is not sweet for your Health”.
For long-term excessive sugar consumption can lead weight gain, tooth decay, raises blood pressure and insulin level, joints pain, skin aging, liver damage, Type 2 diabetes, pancreatic breakdown, kidney failure, Heart attack risk increase.
3. caffeine –
Energy drink can contain up to 300mg of caffeine.
High caffeine intake can lead to increase blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety, sleep disturbance and also in extreme cases heart attacks.
4. Caramel color – (F150a to F150d )
Heating of sugar with ammonia and sulfites. The reaction produced dark pigments and 4-MEI (4-methyl imidazole) as a byproduct.
The international Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified 4-MEI as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
Tiny amount not harmful but regular intake can cause long-term health risk.
This is the colorant that gives the coca cola dark brown color.
5. Synthetic Food color (E110) – Also called “Sunset Yellow FCF”
Research has found that food colors are associated with hyperactivity in children. It has been banded in the country Norway, Sweden and finland.
6. Preservatives(E211) – 211 code of Sodium Benzoate
Preservatives Sodium Benzoate react with Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in presence of heat and light and produced Benzene gas, a well known Carcinogen.
Sodium Benzoate + Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) = Benzene (gas)
Excess Sodium consumption can cause Hypertension.
7. Phosphoric acid –
Regular consumption can cause dental corrosion, weakened bones and osteoporosis.
8. Acidity regulators – Citric acid (330) and Sodium Citrate (331)
330 used for sour taste and 331 reduces the acidity increase the activity of anti-oxidants.
9. Stabilizers – Starch Sodium Octenyl succinate (E1450), Ester Gum or Glycerol Ester of wood rosin (E445)
Stabilizers maintain the Homogeneity of a solution. Not harmful.
What we drink actually :-
Let’s discuss the most popular brands of cold drinks and calculate what we are eating and how much ?
1. Coca Cola
Ingredients List – carbonated water, added sugar (10.6 gm per 100 ml), caramel color (E150d), phosphoric acid, natural flavors, caffein.
Calculation –
📌 10.6 gm added sugar per 100 ml
300 ml bottle – 10.6 × 3 = 31.8 gm (≈ 7.95 teaspoons of Sugar)
750 ml bottle – 10.6 × 7.5 = 79.5 gm (≈ 20 teaspoons of Sugar)
1 litter bottle – 10.6 × 10 = 106 gm (≈ 26.5 teaspoons of Sugar)
2 litter bottle – 10.6 × 20 = 212 gm (≈ 53 teaspoons of Sugar)
One teaspoon sugar approximately 4 gm.
🚩Consuming so much sugar is enough to make us excessively sick.
2. Pepsi
carbonated water, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine, citric acid, and natural flavors.
Calculation- Similar as coca cola
300 ml bottle – 10.6 × 3 = 31.8 gm (≈ 7.95 teaspoons of Sugar)
750 ml bottle – 10.6 × 7.5 = 79.5 gm (≈ 20 teaspoons of Sugar)
1 litter bottle – 10.6 × 10 = 106 gm (≈ 26.5 teaspoons of Sugar)
3. Campa
carbonated water, added sugar (10.5gm per 100ml), high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine, citric acid, and natural flavors.
Calculation-
📌 10.5 gm added sugar per 100 ml
200 ml bottle – 10.5 × 2 = 21 gm (≈ 5.25 teaspoons of Sugar)
500 ml bottle – 10.5 × 5 = 52.5 gm (≈ 13.12 teaspoons of Sugar)
1 litter bottle – 10.5 × 10 = 105 gm (≈ 26.25 teaspoons of Sugar)
2 litter bottle – 10.5 × 20 = 210 gm (≈ 52.5 teaspoons of Sugar)
4. Thumps Up
Carbonated water, sugar (10.4 gm added sugar per 100 ml), phosphoric acid, caffeine, natural color (150d), and added flavors, and artificial cola flavoring substances.
Calculation-
📌 10.4 gm added sugar per 100 ml
250 ml bottle – 10.4 × 2.5 = 26 gm (≈ 6.5 teaspoons of Sugar)
300 ml bottle – 10.4 × 3 = 31.2 gm (≈ 7.8 teaspoons of Sugar)
750 litter bottle – 10.4 × 7.5 = 78 gm (≈ 19.5 teaspoons of Sugar)
2.25 litter bottle – 10.4 × 22.5 = 234 gm (≈ 58.5 teaspoons of Sugar)
These 4 cold drinks Brands are most popular in India. All of them are contains high amount of sugar. Consuming so much sugar is enough to make us excessively sick.
There are many other brands of cold drinks available in the market like- Sprite, Mountain Dew, Mirinda, Fanta. It is not possible to discuss all of them. Hopefully, you can now verify them yourself whether they are healthy or unhealthy.
Overview :-
Carbonated water and sugar are two main ingredients that is used in high amount.
Health implications of regular cod drink consumption – Dental health, Bone Health, Metabolic disorders (obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes), Mental health (high caffeine and sugar can exacerbate anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances), Organ damage (kidney issue, liver diseases)….. etc.
Cold drinks as toilet cleaner ?
The pH of cold drinks is around 2.5, similar to Vinegar (toilet cleaner) and phosphoric acid also found in colas, can help to break down limescale and mineral stains. The fizz can help loosen grime slightly.
Cold drinks don’t kill bacteria or viruses, the sugar can attract more bacteria and ants.
You can use it as for fun, but it is not effective for real cleaning.
Read Labels like a pro :-
Order – Ingredients are arranged by volume of concentration( top 5 are main components, used by in high volume)
Don’t make fool marketing terms like “No added sugar” or “Zero Sugar/Diet/Light”, “Contains Real Fruit Juice”, “Natural Flavors”, “Caffeine-Free,” “Gluten-Free,” “Refreshing & hydrating” etc. Just because all levels are allowed to write doesn’t mean that , what is written is true.
Make decision ( Buy or Skip) :-
No need to think about anything. Just avoid it.
Safe alternative :-
Drink normal water.
Conclusion :-
You deserve to know what you are putting on your body.
Cold drinks slowly steal your health sip by sip. Cold drinks may refreshing and taste good, but behind the sip lies silent harm. Contain high amount of sugar, artificial colours and flavours create the problem.
I believe that buying anything shouldn’t be a guessing game. It’s time to we should start read labels and exploring healthier alternative.
I think now it’s very easy for you to identify. If I miss any ingredients? Whether you have a question, a suggestion, or just want to share your thoughts, feel free to reach out. I look forward to reading your messages.
Read more: The bitter truth behind your sweet biscuits
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I’m Mehebub Alam Chowdhury, an M.Sc. Organic Chemistry student, and my mission with Decodepure is to simplify complex chemical ingredients in everyday products. With my knowledge of chemicals, I aim to help you make safer, healthier choices by breaking down product labels in an easy-to-understand way.
