NationStates Jolt Archive


Coca-Cola attempts to create horde of mutants enslaved by addiction to soft drinks!

Zarakon
28-05-2007, 19:51
Okay...not...exactly...I just couldn't resist that headline...

Caution: Some soft drinks may seriously harm your health
Expert links additive to cell damage
By Martin Hickman, Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Published: 27 May 2007

A new health scare erupted over soft drinks last night amid evidence they may cause serious cell damage. Research from a British university suggests a common preservative found in drinks such as Fanta and Pepsi Max has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA.

The problem - more usually associated with ageing and alcohol abuse - can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.

The findings could have serious consequences for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who consume fizzy drinks. They will also intensify the controversy about food additives, which have been linked to hyperactivity in children.

Concerns centre on the safety of E211, known as sodium benzoate, a preservative used for decades by the £74bn global carbonated drinks industry. Sodium benzoate derives from benzoic acid. It occurs naturally in berries, but is used in large quantities to prevent mould in soft drinks such as Sprite, Oasis and Dr Pepper. It is also added to pickles and sauces.

Sodium benzoate has already been the subject of concern about cancer because when mixed with the additive vitamin C in soft drinks, it causes benzene, a carcinogenic substance. A Food Standards Agency survey of benzene in drinks last year found high levels in four brands which were removed from sale.

Now, an expert in ageing at Sheffield University, who has been working on sodium benzoate since publishing a research paper in 1999, has decided to speak out about another danger. Professor Peter Piper, a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology, tested the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells in his laboratory. What he found alarmed him: the benzoate was damaging an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria.

He told The Independent on Sunday: "These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether.

"The mitochondria consumes the oxygen to give you energy and if you damage it - as happens in a number if diseased states - then the cell starts to malfunction very seriously. And there is a whole array of diseases that are now being tied to damage to this DNA - Parkinson's and quite a lot of neuro-degenerative diseases, but above all the whole process of ageing."

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) backs the use of sodium benzoate in the UK and it has been approved by the European Union but last night, MPs called for it to investigate urgently.

Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat chair of Parliament's all-party environment group said: "Many additives are relatively new and their long-term impact cannot be certain. This preservative clearly needs to be investigated further by the FSA."

A review of sodium benzoate by the World Health Organisation in 2000 concluded that it was safe, but it noted that the available science supporting its safety was "limited".

Professor Piper, whose work has been funded by a government research council, said tests conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration were out of date.

"The food industry will say these compounds have been tested and they are complete safe," he said. "By the criteria of modern safety testing, the safety tests were inadequate. Like all things, safety testing moves forward and you can conduct a much more rigorous safety test than you could 50 years ago."

He advised parents to think carefully about buying drinks with preservatives until the quantities in products were proved safe by new tests. "My concern is for children who are drinking large amounts," he said.

Coca-Cola and Britvic's Pepsi Max and Diet Pepsi all contain sodium benzoate. Their makers and the British Soft Drinks Association said they entrusted the safety of additives to the Government.


For some reason, this article gave me a strong urge to drink Pepsi. I'm gonna go grab one, actually.
South Lizasauria
28-05-2007, 19:57
Nothing seems safe to consume anymore. :(
Beddgelert
28-05-2007, 19:59
One of these days I really am going to stop putting cola in my scotch.

Damn it! It's even in my ginger beer! The only soft drink that I still consume without alcohol.
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:00
Okay...not...exactly...I just couldn't resist that headline...

Caution: Some soft drinks may seriously harm your health
Expert links additive to cell damage
By Martin Hickman, Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Published: 27 May 2007

A new health scare erupted over soft drinks last night amid evidence they may cause serious cell damage. Research from a British university suggests a common preservative found in drinks such as Fanta and Pepsi Max has the ability to switch off vital parts of DNA.

The problem - more usually associated with ageing and alcohol abuse - can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.

The findings could have serious consequences for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who consume fizzy drinks. They will also intensify the controversy about food additives, which have been linked to hyperactivity in children.

Concerns centre on the safety of E211, known as sodium benzoate, a preservative used for decades by the £74bn global carbonated drinks industry. Sodium benzoate derives from benzoic acid. It occurs naturally in berries, but is used in large quantities to prevent mould in soft drinks such as Sprite, Oasis and Dr Pepper. It is also added to pickles and sauces.

Sodium benzoate has already been the subject of concern about cancer because when mixed with the additive vitamin C in soft drinks, it causes benzene, a carcinogenic substance. A Food Standards Agency survey of benzene in drinks last year found high levels in four brands which were removed from sale.

Now, an expert in ageing at Sheffield University, who has been working on sodium benzoate since publishing a research paper in 1999, has decided to speak out about another danger. Professor Peter Piper, a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology, tested the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells in his laboratory. What he found alarmed him: the benzoate was damaging an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria.

He told The Independent on Sunday: "These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether.

"The mitochondria consumes the oxygen to give you energy and if you damage it - as happens in a number if diseased states - then the cell starts to malfunction very seriously. And there is a whole array of diseases that are now being tied to damage to this DNA - Parkinson's and quite a lot of neuro-degenerative diseases, but above all the whole process of ageing."

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) backs the use of sodium benzoate in the UK and it has been approved by the European Union but last night, MPs called for it to investigate urgently.

Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat chair of Parliament's all-party environment group said: "Many additives are relatively new and their long-term impact cannot be certain. This preservative clearly needs to be investigated further by the FSA."

A review of sodium benzoate by the World Health Organisation in 2000 concluded that it was safe, but it noted that the available science supporting its safety was "limited".

Professor Piper, whose work has been funded by a government research council, said tests conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration were out of date.

"The food industry will say these compounds have been tested and they are complete safe," he said. "By the criteria of modern safety testing, the safety tests were inadequate. Like all things, safety testing moves forward and you can conduct a much more rigorous safety test than you could 50 years ago."

He advised parents to think carefully about buying drinks with preservatives until the quantities in products were proved safe by new tests. "My concern is for children who are drinking large amounts," he said.

Coca-Cola and Britvic's Pepsi Max and Diet Pepsi all contain sodium benzoate. Their makers and the British Soft Drinks Association said they entrusted the safety of additives to the Government.

For some reason, this article gave me a strong urge to drink Pepsi. I'm gonna go grab one, actually.

Professor Peter Piper! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
http://www.gamestar.de/community/gspinboard/images/smilies/atomrofl.gif
Zarakon
28-05-2007, 20:02
Professor Peter Piper! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
http://www.gamestar.de/community/gspinboard/images/smilies/atomrofl.gif

DAMN YOU!

My stomach hurts when I laugh and I just laughed fairly hard.
Ifreann
28-05-2007, 20:03
So I can't keep on drinking 50 litres of coke a week?

*faints*
Zarakon
28-05-2007, 20:03
So I can't keep on drinking 50 litres of coke a week?

*faints*

You can, but you may develop venomous claws.
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:04
You can, but you may develop venomous claws.

Like a secret toy surprise! :)
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:05
DAMN YOU!

My stomach hurts when I laugh and I just laughed fairly hard.

Sometimes comedy can be painful. *nod*
Glorious Alpha Complex
28-05-2007, 20:11
More testing needs to be done. I won't be scared away until they show it affects something that actually has a stomach. A yeast study doesn't say a great deal about human consumption. There might be a problem, but there's a good chance that stomach acid and digestive processes knock it out before it becomes one.
Pure Metal
28-05-2007, 20:15
Nothing seems safe to consume anymore. :(

too right :(

i love pepsi max, but i think after all the warnings (of which there have been many, for a long time) from family and the media i should stop drinking it.


that sucks :( :(

but where's the source of that article?
Duskenscythe
28-05-2007, 20:20
I don't drink it so often now.. quite unlike when I was younger.

I don't know I think I outgrew sodas..

Still.. EVERYTHING gives cancer. Breathing gives cancer.
Ifreann
28-05-2007, 20:20
You can, but you may develop venomous claws.

Don't tell me this is meant to convince me to stop, cos I'm trying to set up a coke IV as I type. Damned veins, where are you? *jab jab jab*
Cranhadan Selective
28-05-2007, 20:25
My god , Scientists ruin everything modern day people like to consume!
Ifreann
28-05-2007, 20:25
Sometimes comedy can be painful. *nod*

See: Slapstick(The acceptable way to laugh at the pain and misfortune of others)
Cranhadan Selective
28-05-2007, 20:25
too right :(

i love pepsi max, but i think after all the warnings (of which there have been many, for a long time) from family and the media i should stop drinking it.


that sucks :( :(

but where's the source of that article?


I love drinks like Coca-cola and fanta , I'm not going to give it up because its one more thing that aparently will turn you Into a vegetable.
Cranhadan Selective
28-05-2007, 20:27
You can, but you may develop venomous claws.

Venemous claws are a small price to pay for years of soft drink happiness. *nods*
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:30
Venemous claws are a small price to pay for years of soft drink happiness. *nods*

I hope you remember that the next time you are wiping yourself in the cramped restroom of a moving train. :)
Agawamawaga
28-05-2007, 20:33
The coke gives you cancer thing has been around as long as I can imagine.

to cause a cellular or genetic mutation, it required something like drinking...in ONE sitting...the equivalent of 14 12 packs...several times a day. so that would be...(12*12*14=2016 oz) (I don't have any link, this is something I heard more than 15 years ago...sorry)

since I don't drink THAT much soda, though I drink a fair amount, I'm not too worried about cancer from soda
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:35
Well you think they'll let a guy like me on a train with venomous claws?

Touche' :)
Cranhadan Selective
28-05-2007, 20:35
I hope you remember that the next time you are wiping yourself in the cramped restroom of a moving train. :)

You think they'll let a guy like me on a train with venomous claws?
Cranhadan Selective
28-05-2007, 20:37
The coke gives you cancer thing has been around as long as I can imagine.

to cause a cellular or genetic mutation, it required something like drinking...in ONE sitting...the equivalent of 14 12 packs...several times a day. so that would be...(12*12*14=2016 oz) (I don't have any link, this is something I heard more than 15 years ago...sorry)

since I don't drink THAT much soda, though I drink a fair amount, I'm not too worried about cancer from soda

Instead you should worry about getting cancer form the tropical rainforest. In the amazon alone there are around 60-100 things that cause cancer.
Southern Winkieland
28-05-2007, 20:41
In Southern Winkieland cola drinks are illegal precisely because of the health risk. Only Vimto is allowed. Other nations would do well to follow our example.

I trust we can rely on your continued support in the ceaseless struggle against the charlatans and crapmongers of Winkyland and Winkieland?

CAPTAIN BOTTLE

Captain Frankolin Wogan Bottle, Grand Vizier of Southern Winkieland
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:46
In Southern Winkieland cola drinks are illegal precisely because of the health risk. Only Vimto is allowed. Other nations would do well to follow our example.

I trust we can rely on your continued support in the ceaseless struggle against the charlatans and crapmongers of Winkyland and Winkieland?

CAPTAIN BOTTLE

Captain Frankolin Wogan Bottle, Grand Vizier of Southern Winkieland

Aren't you precious? :)
Aliquantus
28-05-2007, 20:47
If it tastes good, drink/eat the f-ing thing! You only live once, there is no time to worry about Coka Cola lazers built by acid and nuclear pepsi.

People need to start living and not worrying about tomorrow or how many mutated acid rain producing lepricauns inside their stomoch.
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
28-05-2007, 20:47
See: Slapstick(The acceptable way to laugh at the pain and misfortune of others)
That explains why all those guys started punching me when I crashed that funeral. I could have used some venomous claws that day.
Ifreann
28-05-2007, 20:48
Venemous claws are a small price to pay for years of soft drink happiness. *nods*

Venemous claws are a reward, not a price.
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:50
That explains why all those guys started punching me when I crashed that funeral. I could have used some venomous claws that day.

This thread has evolved nicely. :)
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
28-05-2007, 20:54
This thread has evolved nicely. :)
I blame all the soda Jolt is consuming. I know it can be rough running 23 and 3/4s of an hour a day on only 15 minutes of sleep, but filling the gap with all that caffeine simply isn't healthy.
Someone should get it hooked on meth, that way we can finally have some clean floors around here.
New Manvir
28-05-2007, 20:58
DAMN YOU!

My stomach hurts when I laugh and I just laughed fairly hard.

why? are you going to explode like the smiley face?!
Lunatic Goofballs
28-05-2007, 20:59
I blame all the soda Jolt is consuming. I know it can be rough running 23 and 3/4s of an hour a day on only 15 minutes of sleep, but filling the gap with all that caffeine simply isn't healthy.
Someone should get it hooked on meth, that way we can finally have some clean floors around here.

That brought tears to my eyes. I don't used 'LOL' with the frequency of others, but that had me well and truly laughng out loud. :)
Ifreann
28-05-2007, 20:59
I blame all the soda Jolt is consuming. I know it can be rough running 23 and 3/4s of an hour a day on only 15 minutes of sleep, but filling the gap with all that caffeine simply isn't healthy.
Someone should get it hooked on meth, that way we can finally have some clean floors around here.

If we got some meth into those hamsters we'd start time warping into the future instead of the past.
Southern Winkieland
28-05-2007, 21:13
Aren't you precious? :)

No I'm priceless. Southern Winkieland scientists are working on a new type of bomb which utilises the destructive power of TWO bottles of Vimto that have been shaken up at the same time.

Captain Bottle

c:\vimto.gif
Ultraviolent Radiation
28-05-2007, 21:49
I can't help wondering whether all these scientists who spend their time investigating what stuff causes cancer should spend it working on a cancer cure instead.
Ifreann
28-05-2007, 21:51
I can't help wondering whether all these scientists who spend their time investigating what stuff causes cancer should spend it working on a cancer cure instead.

Perhaps they've taken "prevention is better than cure" a bit too seriously.
JuNii
28-05-2007, 22:09
I can't help wondering whether all these scientists who spend their time investigating what stuff causes cancer should spend it working on a cancer cure instead.

... that's how they're finding the stuff that causes cancer.

"Hey, maybe this chemical additive will prevent... awww shite... it causes cancer... hey Bob, add that to the list of cancer causing things... NEXT CHEMICAL ADDITIVE!!!"
Bewilder
28-05-2007, 22:23
One of these days I really am going to stop putting cola in my scotch.

Damn it! It's even in my ginger beer! The only soft drink that I still consume without alcohol.

Cola in scotch :eek:

just buy nice peaty Islay and forget mixers :)
Zarakon
28-05-2007, 23:03
In Southern Winkieland cola drinks are illegal precisely because of the health risk. Only Vimto is allowed. Other nations would do well to follow our example.

I trust we can rely on your continued support in the ceaseless struggle against the charlatans and crapmongers of Winkyland and Winkieland?

CAPTAIN BOTTLE

Captain Frankolin Wogan Bottle, Grand Vizier of Southern Winkieland

Roleplaying forums at the top of the main forum page. More interesting "roleplaying" forums elsewhere on the internet.
Futuris
28-05-2007, 23:21
I blame all the soda Jolt is consuming. I know it can be rough running 23 and 3/4s of an hour a day on only 15 minutes of sleep, but filling the gap with all that caffeine simply isn't healthy.
Someone should get it hooked on meth, that way we can finally have some clean floors around here.

:D Sigged.
Angry Fruit Salad
29-05-2007, 00:47
When they find something horrid in iced tea, I'll worry. (Being broke as all hell, I've pretty much sworn off soda in general.)
Gun Manufacturers
29-05-2007, 01:08
Now, an expert in ageing at Sheffield University, who has been working on sodium benzoate since publishing a research paper in 1999, has decided to speak out about another danger. Professor Peter Piper, a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology, tested the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells in his laboratory. What he found alarmed him: the benzoate was damaging an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria.

He told The Independent on Sunday: "These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether.

"The mitochondria consumes the oxygen to give you energy and if you damage it - as happens in a number if diseased states - then the cell starts to malfunction very seriously. And there is a whole array of diseases that are now being tied to damage to this DNA - Parkinson's and quite a lot of neuro-degenerative diseases, but above all the whole process of ageing."


Soda companies are secretly trying to destroy the Force! :eek:
Sel Appa
29-05-2007, 01:31
I try to stay away from soda anyway.
Zarakon
29-05-2007, 02:22
Soda companies are secretly trying to destroy the Force! :eek:


Darth Vader could have been prevented by Watto giving Anakin a decent lunch allowance.
Kyronea
29-05-2007, 03:02
c:\vimto.gif

Well...I can't say I haven't seen an example of internet stupidity this big all that often. :D
Demented Hamsters
29-05-2007, 04:38
Professor Peter Piper! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Someone should have asked him if he ever picked a peck of Pepsi.
Lunatic Goofballs
29-05-2007, 05:09
Darth Vader could have been prevented by Watto giving Anakin a decent lunch allowance.

So many of history's tragedies could have been prevented with simple sugary sweets. :(