An article at the Independent is reporting that studies have been released showing that drinking soft drinks can not only be bad for your weight, they’re also bad for your health.

According to the article:

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 culprit appears to be the additive sodium benzoate and when combined with the additive vitamin C causes the carcinogen benzene. 

Sodium benzoate was studied by the World Health Organisation in 2000 and at that time, it was concluded that the additive was safe, however it was noted that the available science supporting its safety was "limited".  This most recent study appears to contradict the previous findings.

If you or your family are addicted to the fizzy stuff, it’s time to replace it with a safer more healthy beverage.  There is GREAT concern for the effects on children who consume large quantities of soft drinks.