Truth about COKE ZERO

I became a drinker when the soda came out of the Philippine market early this year for the taste really wasn’t like any of the other diet sodas I’ve ever tasted. A cousin of mine sent me a SMS the other night warning that this soda causes Cancer. Even on Samat the other week, I overheard from a group of people (who were talking loudly) talking about the product with the same issue and a while ago while having my lunch with some classmates, it was again opened. So when I got home I was reminded by it.

Background:Coke zero was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company in the year 2005 with the primary aim of replacing the Diet Coke (which I don’t like) with a Coke that contains no sugar but with a taste of the Coke classic. I have browsed through the net and found the ingredients of the product

Carbonated water (as for all sodas right?!), Acesulfame potassium(180-200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), as sweet as aspartame, about half as sweet as saccarine, and one-quarter as sweet as sucralose BUT not containing HIGH CALORIC VALUE), Aspartame, Caffeine, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate (just used as a PRESERVATIVE as for most of the sodas in the market) ,Potassium Citrate(used as a BUFFER) ,Sodium Benzoate (also as PRESERVATIVE for its bacteriostatic and fungistatic effects under acidic conditions) Sodium Citrate (acidity regulator), Sodium Cyclamate(30–50 times sweeter than sugar), Calories (0 in 100 ml - the nutrition facts doesn't lie)

What was really controversial from all part of the globe was one of the ingredient: Aspartame, which really struck me coz it’s been rumored to be Carcinogenic (layman: CANCER CAUSING specifically brain tumors—from which my granma suffered, brain lesions, and lymphoma). And very popular among diabetic patients for it is used as substitute for our table sugar, a little amount already is sweet enough to suffice a person’s satiety needs without adding up many calories. I know that its an artificial sweetener and knowing a lot of products in the market today contains aspartame, how come only with Coke Zero it was associated to have caused cancer? So I went further digging and found out from infos that the controversial on its usage had been going on since 1970’s in Europe where there were rumors that some groups of researchers were bribed by huge KNOWN companies (up to this day) to manipulate the actual results – some claimed it to be safe, some say it is not.. And believe it or not, IT IS STILL NOT YET PROVEN.

I wasn’t still contented - and to avoid added frustrations - I went on browsing. Later on, I came across on ASPARTAME’s metabolites (products of it once it reaches our system) – which probably why they concluded such:

Methanol and formaldehyde

Approximately 10% of aspartame is converted to methanol in the small intestine. Most of it is absorbed and quickly converted into formaldehyde (BY PRODUCT of human metabolism therefore may be excreted by our system in small amount). Some scientists argue that it doesn’t affect the body for it may only exist in our system in small quantity – not capable of affecting system. FACT: There is more methanol on fruit juices than our beverages with aspartame. It is later on mentioned that “exposure to very low levels of methanol and formaldehyde have been proven to cause chronic toxicity in humans” – in short chronic poisoning even IN SMALL AMOUNTS.

Phenylalanine

One of the known amino acids (simplest forms of your proteins) from which 50% of aspartame is broken down into this substance. Phenylalanine containing foods are slower in terms of absorption than with that of our beverage with aspartame thereby its fast absorption said to have the potential to radically increase blood plasma level of phenylalanine – it will then compete with other neurotransmitters because it can easily cross the Blood Brain Barrier. IN SHORT: affecting our normal brain activities; also it may cause seizures. BUT NO WORRIES because Large spikes in blood plasma aspartate levels have not been seen when ingesting natural foods. More it is NEUROTOXIC to a growing fetus if level of phenylalanine in plasma of a pregnant woman is consistently high – POTENTIALLY.

Aspartic acid

Approximately 40% of aspartame is broken down to this chemical and high concentrations of this becomes EXCITOTOXIN – causes damage on brain and nerve cells, target site are the areas not protected by the blood brain barrier. Such effects were proven when 1 scientist, Dr. John Olney found that high levels of aspartic acid caused damage to the brains of infant mice, and of course in those years (1970s) a lot of products were on the brink of their success in the market so his efforts and appeals in banning aspartame went into nothing.

CONCLUSION: As for all medications that we give to patients we care for in the hospital setting, we know that all has its draw backs; side effects and adverse effects (even vitamin supplements have) even if we are after having our patients well. And with all the time I spent browsing, sorry talaga, try as I might to find proof (because I also love the soda, 2^nd to pepsi that is) pero there is still NO CONCRETE proof that it really has a significant connection with the occurrence of neoplasms – cancer – to us. But with the 3 by - products of aspartame-presented potential ill-effects, well I think you be the judge.

FACT ABOUT CANCER: one of the leading causes of death world wide (consumed my lola’s life and great grand ma’s – would I be next??). and a lot of products in the market nowadays have ingredients that are carcinogenic (or potentially). Perhaps Cancer may be prevented by living a healthy life – for the same reason why I really admire Chinese people. But what is scary is that ARE YOU AWARE THAT YOU HAVE CANCERCELLS IN YOUR BODY RIGHT KNOW? They are just waiting for a que to start their rapid multiplication (- then the fun never ends until your six feet under..)? This stimulus may be the smoke you inhale when you light a cigarette or the chemicals in your carbonated drink, or it can even be the ray of the sun on burning your skin, even the charred isaw that you just bought. Extra careful of your health is important because in this life, you only have one irreplaceable life especially in our world TODAY..

(forgive my grammar and typing, im really tired na.. and i tried to simplify complex words that i came across with while browsing for others to understand)