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 Summer is very much around. When you visit a Super-market with your children, what are the things that they pick-up? As a rule, chocolates, chips and, of course, soft drink. That too a cola drink because of its popularity - either Coke or Pepsi. Have you ever bothered to take a glance at the label in the bottle? It is mentioned in the label that Phosphoric acid and Ethylene Glycol are used in the making of Cola drinks. Of these the second, used as an anti-freeze agent, is a slow poison. In the European Countries, some have the habit of drinking hot coffee after a heavy meal. This is a good practice, because our body needs some heat to secrete certain enzymes for the food to get digested. This required heat is provided by the cup of hot coffee. But here, if you happen to visit any modern restaurant, a bottle of cold soft drink is always ordered along with the other food items. These restaurants, themselves, have certain combi-menus, where such drinks become a part of the menu package itself.
 The cold drinks, with their chillness dilute these digestive enzymes thus causing indigestion. I am sure all of you are aware that indigestion can lead to several other health-related complications. The acidity level of these drinks are sufficient enough to crumble our teeth and bones. The pH level (it measures the acidity level) is 3.4 in cola drinks. To test the acidity level of these drinks, a broken tooth was dropped in a glass of cola and the tooth was completely dissolved in a week's time. With age, the bones of human beings start losing their strength and become weak. But the consumption of bottled cola drinks speeds up this process. So just imagine the plight of the tender parts of our stomach!
 These details really startle us and hence when enquired with some experts, it was said that, first of all these soft drink companies cater to the international markets. So they take great care in preparing their formulations without too many side effects, unless otherwise consumed in a very large quantity. Secondly, only propylene glycol, which is used in making of cough syrups, is used in the making of such drinks. Above all, phosphoric acid is added only in the permissible quantity as stipulated by the regulatory agencies. So there is nothing to be scared of!
 It is always said that any coin has two sides. In the same way, this also has its good and bad aspects. In our country we always have better substitutes to beat the heat in summer like tender coconut water, buttermilk, watermelon, cool cucumbers, radish, etc. People munching radish and cucumber while walking in the hot summer is a common sight in some places like New Delhi. This wave is slowly spreading to other cities too. So it is left to you to choose between the natural and artificial ways in combating the heat. The 'choice' is in your hands, so to say!
Published on 21st April
2002
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