Coca-Cola cherry: Risk and Nutrition

I cannot say that Coca-Cola cherry is healthier than just reviewed Dr Pepper cherry but the truth is that it is less risky. And yet it is not good enough for regular drinking. Take a look at the risk diagram to see why.

DyeDiet DOESN’T BUY IT!

Coca-Cola Cherry: Risk and Nutrition

Unlike Dr Pepper cherry, this one is a little lower in caffeine and does not contain Red 40 and sodium benzoate that are blamed for ADHD, allergies and asthma (see Behavior, Learning and Health: The Dietary Connection; also see Assessment of the results of the study by McCann et al. (2007) on the effect of some colours and sodium benzoate on children’s behaviour). But I don’t see any difference in the compositions of Coca-Cola cherry and previously reviewed Coca-Cola classic. Do you?

The only difference that helps to distinguish the one from the other is added flavor. Want cherry drink? Get your benzaldehyde or acetophenone along with HFCS for $0.99 and be happy. While these chemicals are much less vicious than Red 40 and other azo dyes they are NOT cherries.

Sugary beverage intake of more than 2 servings a day, but not milk or fruit juice, was positively associated with higher percentage of body fat in children from age 5 to 15 years (see the article Beverage Intake of girls at age 5).

HFCS sweetened beverages may increase risk of cancer.  Part of the reason is that tumor cells use fructose to divide and proliferate, as recent research showed.

Technology for massive production of caramel coloring includes treatment of sugars with ammonia at elevated temperatures. Under these conditions many unintended chemicals are created including 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole which are known human carcinogens. This fact was the reason why CSPI has recently filed a petition to ban caramel coloring in the USA (see CSPI Caramel Coloring Petition). Office of Environmental Hazard Assessment intended to list 4-metyhylimidaszole under the Proposition 65 as a chemical which causes cancer and reproductive toxicity.

Therefore Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water is much better choice!

Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, 23.5 FL OZ (750 ml), $1.50

This mineral water you can find at Wal-Mart stores. Without issues associated with HFCS and caramel colors it is superior thirst quencher. Resist the “fruit fraud.” Hydrate yourself right!

Tags: caramel coloring, Coca-Cola, food reviews, Food Risk Score, HFCS, nutritional value, soft drinks

Category: Soft drinks