[GJM] Fw: [globalnetnews-summary] Behind the Label: Diet Coke

[mary rose]

Much thanks to the editor of Global Net News Summary
for this article pointing out another way in which we are
intent on committing mass dis-ease,  if not suicide. How
I could have forgotten this deadly cocktail, along with
aspartame, for our list of ways we are hell bent on
committing mass extinction,  i do not know. As a collective
unconscious, we certainly consume megatons of this
stuff which provides no nutrients whatsoever, but tastes
better than water, and certainly is addictive.  .

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "GlobalCirclenet" <webmaster at globalcircle.net>
To: <globalnetnews-summary at lists.riseup.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:21 AM
Subject: [globalnetnews-summary] Behind the Label: Diet Coke


Behind the Label: Diet Coke
Far from being the healthy drink implied by its sports sponsorships, Diet 
Coke is a worrying cocktail of neurotoxic and potentially carcinogenic 
chemicals
Date:01/06/2006
http://www.theecologist.org/archive_detail.asp?content_id=636

Diet Coke was first introduced in the US in July 1982 and today it is the 
fourth most commonly consumed carbonated beverage in the world.

Apart from being the beverage of choice for sugar-phobic individuals the 
world over, Coca-Cola is one of the longest standing 'corporate partners' 
(since 1974) of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association 
(FIFA). In 1998 the company signed an unprecedented eight-year agreement to 
sponsor FIFA events - not just the prestigious World Cup, but also the 
Women's World Cup, the Confederation Cup, various youth championships and 
the upcoming World Cup Trophy Trip, a roadshow that will take the FIFA World 
Cup Trophy on tour to cities throughout the world.

Last year Coca-Cola extended its FIFA sponsorship commitment until 2022, a 
move that prompted the preposterous statement by company Chairman and CEO, 
E. Neville Isdell, that Coke's recommitment to the
world's most popular sport 'affords us a new opportunity to bring people 
closer together through football'.

It also helps them shift a lot of cans and bottles. A recent study by 
marketing information company ACNeilsen revealed that the Coca-Cola brand is 
the global leader among beverages, generating well over $15 billion in sales 
globally each year. Coke and Diet Coke each generate more than a billion 
dollars in sales yearly.

Five countries - the US, the UK, Germany, Canada and Brazil - guzzle more of 
this supposedly healthy, sugar-free alternative to regular Coke than 
anywhere else in the world.

Aggressive marketing like the FIFA sponsorship and clever jingles like 
'Always Coca-Cola' keep Coke in our consciousness, but before you 'grab a 
Coke and a smile' at this year's main event, consider just what you are 
putting into your body. Although Diet Coke has a strong association with 
sport and health, it is actually a worrying mixture of neurotoxic and 
potentially carcinogenic high intensity sweeteners (aspartame and acesulfame 
K), tooth and bone destroying acids (phosphoric acid) and DNA damaging 
colourings (sulphite ammonia caramel), as well as psychoaddictive caffeine 
and other undisclosed 'fl avourings'.

It also contains sodium benzoate, which can be broken down into the listed 
carcinogen benzene in the presence of strong acids, such as the citric acid 
found in this product.

Soda manufacturers have been aware of this synergistic possibility since the 
1990s, but without pressure from regulatory authorities to change their 
formula to prevent the formation of benzene, have continued to mix benzoates 
and acids.

Ironically, the high fructose syrups used in regular drinks seem to slow 
this reaction down, and the formation of benzene appears to be most 
problematic in diet drinks.

 Ingredients Purpose
Adverse Effects
 Aspartame Sweetener
Breaks down easily in heat and during storage to its neurotoxic components 
phenylalanine, aspartic
acid and methyl alcohol. According to the FDA aspartame is associated with 
headaches, dizziness,
loss of balance, mood swings, nausea, memory loss, muscle weakness, blurred 
vision, fatigue,
weakness, skin rashes, joint and musculoskeletal pain. (For a full report on 
aspartame toxicity see the
Ecologist September 2005). The most recent evidence shows that aspartame 
ingested at levels that
are currently found in daily soft drink consumption raises the risk of 
otherwise rare brain tumours
known as lymphomas.
Acesulfame K Sweetener Causes cancer in animals. Acetoacetamide, a breakdown 
product, has been shown to affect the
thyroid gland in rats, rabbits, and dogs. Although it is commonly blended 
with aspartame to cover its bitter taste, there are no studies to show if 
the combination is safe or whether it produces other toxic by-products.
Phosphoric acid Acidifier Can contribute to erosion of tooth enamel; leaches 
calcium from bones. Children with high intake of phosphoric acid suffer from 
brittle bones and a higher risk of fractures that follow them throughout 
life. Children consuming at least six glasses (1.5 litres) of phosphoric 
acid-containing soft drinks daily have more than five times the risk of 
developing low blood levels of calcium, compared to children who don't drink 
sodas.
 Citric acid Preservative,
acidifier On its own relatively harmless, though it can be harsh on tooth 
enamel. When mixed with potassium
or sodium benzoate (see below) during storage, and especially at raised 
temperatures, it can aid the
formation of carcinogenic benzene.
 Caffeine Flavouring A stimulant, psychoactive compound that can provoke 
mood changes, lethargy and headache.
Caffeine is addictive and ingestion of high levels can cause miscarriage as 
well as contribute to peptic ulcers and heart ailments. At the levels added 
to soft drinks caffeine adds virtually no flavour but does, if consumed 
regularly, trigger caffeine addiction. Children consuming caffeine have 
higher incidences of illness, headaches, sleep problems and iron depletion. 
A 330ml bottle of cola contains
about half the caffeine of a cup of coffee.
Sodium Benzoate (E211) Preservatives People who suffer from asthma, rhinitis 
or urticaria may find their symptoms get worse following the consumption of 
benzoates. In acidic solutions (such as sodas), benzoates can break down 
into benzene, a known carcinogen. Surveys have shown that levels in soft 
drinks can be up to 40 times
higher than recognised 'safe' doses.
Sulphite ammonia
caramel (E150d) Colouring Made by heating sugar, ammonia and 
sulphite-containing compounds, the sugar can sometimes come from GM maize. 
Ammonia is toxic by all routes of exposure, and caramels made by an
ammonia process may damage genes, slow down growth, cause enlargement of the 
intestines and kidneys and may destroy vitamin B. This colouring has never 
been fully evaluated for its potential carcinogenicity or reproductive 
toxicity.