Is the Phosphoric Acid in Coca-Cola actually dangerous?

Answer 1

According to a report published in the March / April edition of General Dentistry, phosphoric acid in soda causes tooth enamel erosion, even with minimal exposure. While some consumers may believe that sugar is the only culprit of soda's adverse effects on dental health, enamel erosion occurs whether the soda is sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.

"Drinking any type of soft drink poses risk to the health of your teeth," said Kenton Ross, a dentist and spokesman for the Academy of General Dentistry.

"My patients are shocked to hear that many of the soft drinks they consume contain nine to 12 teaspoons of sugar, and have an acidity that approaches the level of battery acid," Ross said.

Americans drink more than 50 gallons per capita of carbonated soft drinks each year, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, which tracks beverage consumption in nine areas: bottled water, coffee, fruit beverages, milk, tea, beer, wine, spirits and "CSDs" or carbonated soft drinks. Of the nine, carbonated soft drinks make up the largest segment of beverages consumed. The United States has the highest per-capita CSD consumption in the world.

Soft drinks are infused with phosphoric acid to add a tangy flavor. In nature, this type of flavor can be found in ginger or lemon. Inexpensive and widely available, phosphoric acid is also used in fertilizers and detergents, including industrial cleaners. Even "food grade" thermal phosphoric acid is known to sometimes contain arsenic.

"Phosphoric acid is used in shipyards to remove rust from aircraft carriers and transport ships," explained Mike Adams, author of The Five Soft Drink Monsters, a book that teaches consumers how to beat their addiction to sugary sodas. "Consuming highly acidic substances is not only bad for your teeth but also terrible for bone health and can promote a deterioration of the jawbone, pelvis and femur. Essentially, drinking phosphoric acid dissolves away your skeletal system," Adams said.

Answer 2

Phosphoric Acid In Coke

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is the Phosphoric Acid in Coca-Cola actually dangerous?

Answer 4

From General Chemistry Online FAQ:

"Phosphoric acid is deliberately added to soft drinks to give them a sharper flavor. It also slows the growth of molds and bacteria, which would otherwise multiply rapidly in the sugary solution.

Almost all of the acidity of soda pop comes from the phosphoric acid and not from the carbonic acid from the dissolved CO2. You can verify this by measuring the pH of fresh and flat soda pop; there's very little difference.

The phosphoric acid is corrosive, but actually the acid concentration in soda pop is lower than that in orange juice or lemonade."

Answer 5

Phosphoric acid is H3PO4 no matter what application it's seen in - it's the same combination of elements. How concentrated it is - now that's another thing!~ It determines it's use and how harmful it is to the living organism.

Answer 6

Sure, but not very much.

Poor it on limestone and it can dissolve it. Of course your stomach isn't made out of limestone and the FDA would never allow a truly dangerous food out on the food market.

But, the Mythbuster (on the Discover Channel) busted a lot of those myths by soaking things in cola. They found it won't dissolve a steak, but it will clean tarnish off of a penny. They also saw that a tooth won't dissolve in coke.

I would try to give you more info about Episode 5 that was aired in October 24, 2003, but the Discovery Channel Website didn't have that much data on what they did.
However if you check out this Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_%28season_1%29#101_Uses_For_Cola
You will see the myths on coke and those that were busted.

Answer 7

Nope, it isn't dangerous. Sure it will dissolve a penny, but so will the natural hydrochloric acid in your stomach. Your stomach acid dissolves limestone too. I've used limestone to relieve indigestion when tramping in the NZ bush. It reacts with the stomach acid to give H2O, CaCl2 and CO2. The CO2 makes you burp.But there's about 17 teaspoons of sugar in a litre of Coke. You'd need to run a marathon to burn off those kilojoules. Nobody adds that much to drinks they mix themselves.

Answer 8

It has been linked to lower bone density, and if you're a woman, you are more at risk (osteoporosis). Phosphoric acid is not toxic when diluted or taken in small quantities. I suggest you limit drinking sodas to twice a month. Truthfully you don't need any in your lifetime but if you really want it, limit it!

Answer 9

the Phosphoric Acid in soda is not the best for you. It will consume a ten penny nail given time.

Answer 10

No. No more than the carbonic acid (from the CO2 carbination)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid

And Greed - it is HFCS, not LFCS.