Would a risk of cancer put you off drinking Coke and Pepsi?

1. 81

   Jon Greenposted 13 years ago

   Would a risk of cancer put you off drinking Coke and Pepsi?
   
   Reports suggest Coca Cola and Pepsi are removing an ingredient to avoid labelling products with a cancer risk advisory notice. Might be a good time to give up on soft fizzy drinks?

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2. 79

   CloudExplorerposted 13 years ago

   Yes indeed, actually I quit drinking soda many many years back, when I was like 14 years of age, I do know that high acid levels in the blood stream are connected to the cancer causing agents in our body, and sodas is on the top of the list, in terms of high acid level concentrations, as well as liquor, and beer. Great question!!

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3. 40

   ChristinSposted 13 years ago

   There are so many reasons to give up soda - this is just one new one in the long list of reasons.  I gave up on soda a long time ago.  I will have one once in a great while in the summer because I really do like it (sigh) but I know it's full of health risks so I don't indulge very often.

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4. 60

   Michael J Rappposted 13 years ago

   I quit drinking soda a few months ago and I honestly don't miss it.  It wasn't really the risk of cancer than made me quit, but the words listed in the ingredients that I couldn't pronounce.  I figure substances with such odd names can't be good for me.
   
   If they are removing something that could warrant a cancer warning it makes me wonder what they knew about it before they were forced to make this decision.

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5. 59

   ALURposted 13 years ago

   I wish it were as simple as that. Even the educated prefer to companionship of a drug or artificial flavors. Addiction comes in many forms. Ignorance is not the problem but commitment to change is. That change is difficult is part of the challenge and facing the fact that one must WANT to abandon the ways of drugs.
   
   Cancer will scare but not deter the ones determined to hold fast to their addictions.

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6. 66

   Support Med.posted 13 years ago

   I had to give up drinking Coca Cola (was one of my favs) and Pepsi for other reasons - but had it not been necessary and I found out about the cancer risk, I'd probably still drink it every now and then - there are so many risks with certain foods and beverages (cancer or otherwise) - and all are not easily given up.  Like Michael J Rapp, I wonder 'what they knew about it before they were forced to make this decision."  I wonder as well, will it change the flavor of the beverage.  What exactly is the name of this ingredient - if you could please post it here or make a hub about it - would make for an interesting read.  Thanks for sharing this information.

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7. 81

   Jon Greenposted 13 years ago

   The ingredient is 4- methylimidazole - or a more catchy name of MEI-4! More details on the BBC website. The recipe is not being changed in Europe, I guess we're expendable!

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8. 72

   brakel2posted 13 years ago

   I gave up soda pop due to caffeine and aspartame long ago. My daughter was an addict. She only stopped after a family intervention. I wish they had warnings about aspartame years ago. They try to poison us to make money. Greed and concealing the truth is rampant everywhere.

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9. 70

   sacredlilacposted 13 years ago

   If I hadn't already given up soda years ago, then yes, this would have done it.
   
   I agree with the other comments about addiction playing a big role in how difficult it is to stop drinking soda. There is so much sugar in everything we eat and drink these days - and that is not considering the natural sugars made from eating carbohydrates, like in bread. I regularly read labels and do my best to avoid anything with added sugars. It took awhile but my palette has changed and I don't like many things I did before, like Skippy peanut butter; I only eat organic peanut butter now because there is such a flavour difference.
   
   I also concur with Michael J Rapp: how long did they know about the possible repercussions of this product before this legislation made them rethink their ingredient list? It is a prime example of how big companies are sociopathic: they are only concerned about serving their own interests (i.e. making a profit) and not about the public they are serving products to (and possibly harming).

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10. 61

    sellmyhousedenverposted 7 years ago

    It's definitely worth giving up for many reasons. One of the best reasons was the health of my teeth. Next was my energy level. After that it was my cognitive functioning and the list goes on. It's literally liquid poison to drink soda.

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