water or coke?

[ryancostill]

Got this email earlier today. Its one I've seen before but I was wondering if the claims about coke are really true or a little exaggerrated. Dont get me wrong I know exactly how terrible soda is in one's diet but I was wondering specifically about the "T-bone steak" claim or the "highway patrol" claim. Is coca cola really this corrosive?


anyways....

Subject: Water or Coke?


This is really an eye opener!

We all know that water is important but I've never seen it written down like this before.

WATER

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half world population.)

In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.

One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for
almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term
memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79% and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?

COKE

In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two
gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and it will be
gone in two days.

To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminium foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains.

It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is
2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about four days.

Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis.

To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

The distributors of coke have been using it to clean the
engines of their trucks for about 20 years!

[getnbgr]

I've seen that before... can't say I've experimented with Coca Cola but I've thought about it /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[NutMeg]

yeah, they did some of this stuff on mythbusters



and I tried the cleaning the toilet one...didn't work...

[Coz]

It is funny but unfortunately many of those Coke ones are myths. /forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif T-Bone steaks do not dissolve in coke and there are others but I don't have time to go through it now. Will check it out later.

[nozzle]

Here ya go, Coz. Saved you some time.

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp

[ryancostill]

cool thanks Noz, i guess that answers my questions and saves Prof. Coz some time in the lab.

[psaturn]

However, Phosphoric Acid is or was used for cleaning toilets and bathrooms. I believe it is outlawed since they are not enviromentally friendly.

But I do believe that Coke is not healthy for the body's acid/ alkaline balance.

[sta63bmx]

Of course, this is all in addition to that whole "massive amount of refined sugar" thing.

I like Diet RC with Splenda. I usually have one or two cans a day. But I like coffee better, and get about a gallon of water as well.

[psaturn]

Too bad Splenda does not go well with me. I get extreme dehydration due to the diarrhea I get. I guess chlorinated sugar molecules do not go well with my intestinal system.

I cannot use Olean either. Again, diarrhea.

[psaturn]

From web page (mercola.com/2000/dec/3/sucralose_dangers.htm)

The Potential Dangers of Sucralose



There's a new artificial sweetener on the block and it is already in a wide range of products, some even sold in health food stores and manufactured by nutritionally-oriented companies. But is it proven safe? Does it provide any benefit to the public? Does it help with weight loss? Are there any long term human studies? Has it been shown to be safe for the environment? The answer to all of these questions is unfortunately a resounding NO.

The artificial sweetener sucralose, which is sold under the name Splenda™, is one of the up-and-coming "next generation" of high-intensity sugar substitutes. It is non-caloric and about 600 times sweeter than sucrose (white table sugar), although it can vary from 320 tp 1,000 times sweeter, depending on the food application. The white crystalline powder tastes like a lot like sugar, but is more intense in its sweetness.

How it is Manufactured



Sucralose is produced by chlorinating sugar (sucrose). This involves chemically changing the structure of the sugar molecules by substituting three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups.



History



Sucralose was discovered in 1976 by researchers working under the auspices of Tate & Lyle Ltd., a large British sugar refiner. In 1980, Tate & Lyle arranged with Johnson & Johnson, the world's largest health care company, to develop sucralose. Johnson & Johnson formed McNeil Speciality Products Company in 1980 to commercialize sucralose.




In 1991, Canada became the first nation to approve the use of sucralose.




In April, 1998 the US Food and Drug Administration granted approval for sucralose to be used in a variety of food products. Diet RC cola was the first US product with sucralose, introduced in May 1998.




Sucralose is not yet approved for use in most European countries, where it is still under review.



Safety Concerns



Few human studies of safety have been published on sucralose. One small study of diabetic patients using the sweetener showed a statistically significant increase in glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c), which is a marker of long-term blood glucose levels and is used to assess glycemic control in diabetic patients. According to the FDA, "increases in glycosolation in hemoglobin imply lessening of control of diabetes.



Research in animals has shown that sucralose can cause many problems in rats, mice, and rabbits, such as:






Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage)


Enlarged liver and kidneys.


Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus


Increased cecal weight


Reduced growth rate


Decreased red blood cell count


Hyperplasia of the pelvis


Extension of the pregnancy period


Aborted pregnancy


Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights


Diarrhea





According to one source (Sucralose Toxicity Information Center), concerning the significant reduction in size of the thymus gland, "the manufacturer claimed that the sucralose was unpleasant for the rodents to eat in large doses and that starvation caused the shruken thymus glands.





[Toxicologist Judith] Bellin reviewed studies on rats starved under experimental conditions, and concluded that their growth rate could be reduced by as much as a third without the thymus losing a significant amount of weight (less than 7 percent). The changes were much more marked in rats fed on sucralose. While the animals' growth rate was reduced by between 7 and 20 percent, their thymuses shrank by as much as 40 percent. (New Scientist 23 Nov 1991, pg 13)"*



A compound chemically related to sucrose, 6-chloro-deoxyglucose, is known to have anti-fertility and neurotoxic effects, although animal studies of sucralose have not shown these effects.



According to the FDA's "Final Rule" report, "Sucralose was weakly mutagenic in a mouse lymphoma mutation assay." The FDA aslo reported many other tests as having "inconclusive" results.



Just how few studies currently exist on sucralose is an issue. As of November 18, 2004 there were these many studies cited in the National Library of Medicine:





Sweetener
# of Studies*


Saccharin
3001


Aspartame
774


Cyclamates
653



Sucralose
76



* Number of studies determined by MEDLINE search.



In terms of safety, it is not just the original substance (sucralose) that one needs to worry about. As the FDA notes, "Because sucralose may hydrolyze in some food products...the resulting hydrolysis products may also be ingested by the consumer."



Is There Any Long-Term Human Research?



None. According to the Medical Letter on Drugs & Therapeutics, "Its long-term safety is unknown." According to the Sucralose Toxicity Information Center, the "Manufacturer's '100's of studies' (some of which show hazards) were clearly inadequate and do not demonstrate safety in long-term use."



Is Sucralose Absorbed or Metabolized?



Despite the manufacturer's claims to the contrary, sucralose is significantly absorbed and metabolized by the body. According to the FDA's "Final Rule" report, 11% to 27% of sucralose is absorbed in humans, and the rest is excreted unchanged in feces. According to the Japanese Food Sanitation Council, as much as 40% of ingested sucralose is absorbed.



Plasma sucralose has been reported to have a half-life of anywhere from 2 to 5 hours in most studies, although the half-life in rabbits was found to be much longer at about 36 hours.



About 20% to 30% of absorbed sucralose is metabolized. Both the metabolites and unchanged absorbed sucralose are excreted in urine. The absorbed sucralose has been found to concentrate in the liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. According to The Sucralose Toxicity Information Center, sucralose is broken down "into small amounts of 1,6-dichlorofructose, a chemical which has not been adequtely tested in humans."



Chlorinated Pesticides




According to Consumers Research Magazine "Some concern was raised about sucralose being a chlorinated molecule. Some chlorinated molecules serve as the basis for pesticides such as D.D.T., and accumulate in body fat. However, Johnson & Johnson emphasized that sucralose passes through the body unabsorbed."




Of course, this assertion about not being absorbed is complete nonsense. As shown above, a substantial amount of sucralose is absorbed, so the argument is not valid.




According to the HAD, "The manufacturer claims that the chlorine added to sucralose is similar to the chlorine atom in the salt (NaCl) molecule. That is not the case. Sucralose may be more like ingesting tiny amounts of chlorinated pesticides, but we will never know without long-term, independent human research."



Contaminants



The FDA acknowledges that sucralose "is produced at an approximate purity of 98%." While that may sound pretty pure, just what is in that other 2%? It turns out that the final sucralose product contains small amounts of potentially dangerous substances such as:






Heavy Metals (e.g., Lead)


Arsenic


Triphenilphosphine Oxide


Methanol


Chlorinated Disaccharides


Chlorinated Monosaccharide





Although manufacturing guidelines do specify limits on these substances there is no guarantee that such limits will always be met.



Environmental Concerns



Despite the fact that a portion of sucralose is metabolized into some chemicals of questionable safety, a majory of the consumed sucralose is excreted unchanged in the feces and urine. While that may be good for the person using the product, it may not be so great for the environment.



Although sucralose is being flushed down toilets wherever sucralose is approved for sale, what happens to it next is simply a matter for speculation. I know of no studies showing what happens to the chemical when the raw sewage is treated and then released back into the environment.


Does it remain stabile or react with other substances to form new compounds?


Is the sucralose or any resulting chemicals safe for the environment?


How will this chemical affect aquatic life such as fish, as well as other animals?


Will sucralose begin to appear in our water supplies, just as some drugs are beginning to be found.


Of course, we will likely not know the answers to these questions for many years, if at all. One of the main reasons for this is that the FDA did not require an Environmental Impact Statement for sucralose, because in their words, "the action will not have a significant impact on the human environment."



One study did find that sucralose is metabolized by microrganisms in both the water and soil (Labare 94). However, the ecological impact of this new chemical being introduced into the environment is unknown.



Is There a Benefit for Consumers?



According to Consumers' Research Magazine, sucralose provides some benefits for the corporations making and using it, but not for consumers. They state:






But are such foods truly beneficial and desirable? Diabetics, weight watchers, and the general public might make better food choices by selecting basic, rather than highly processed foods; for example, apples, rather than turnovers; or plain, rather than sweetened, dairy foods.*



They note that non-caloric artificial sweeteners are not replacing, but rather supplementing conventional sweeteners. They note that as of 1990 Americans were consuming an average of 20 pounds (sugar sweetness equivalency) of artificial sweeteners, and as consumption of sugar-substitutes has risen so too has consumption of sugar.



Does Sucralose Help with Weight Loss?



According to Consumers' Research Magazine "There is no clear-cut evidence that sugar substitutes are useful in weight reduction. On the contrary, there is some evidence that these substances may stimulate appetite."



Where is Sucralose Found?



In the United States, the FDA has granted approval for the use of sucralose in 15 food and beverage categories: (For a complete list of products containing sucralose CLICK HERE)






Baked goods and baking mixes


Chewing gum


Confections and frostings


Fats and oils (salad dressings)


Fruit and water ices


Jams and jellies


Processed fruits and fruit juices


Sweet sauces, toppings and syrups


Beverages and beverage bases


Coffee and tea


Dairy product analogs


Frozen dairy desserts and mixes



Gelatins, puddings and fillings



Milk products


Sugar substitutes



Also, check out the complete list of products containing sucralose.

Comparison to Other Sweeteners




Its promoters cite several benefits over other sweeteners, such as:







Unlike saccharin, sucralose leaves no bitter aftertaste.


Unlike other artificial sweeteners, it remains stable at high temperatures.


Unlike sugar, it does not raise blood glucose levels





As a comparison to sucralose's 600-fold sweetness increase over sugar, consider the other artificial sweeteners on the market:







Saccharin (Sweet-and -Low) - 300 to 500 times sweeter


Aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal) - 150 to 200 times sweeter


Acesulfame K (Sunette) - 200 times sweeter.





Big Business



A 1998 report in Chemical Week states that the high-intensity sweetener market is about $1.5-billion/year. About 70%-80% of that market is made up of soft drink sweeteners, of which aspartame has a near monopoly. They note that although sucralose is 50% sweeter than aspartame, it will be difficult to persuade many soft drink producers to give up NutraSweet (aspartame) since it is widely accepted by consumers.



Is Anyone Monitoring Post-Approval Reactions?



Apparently not. With no established system for monitoring and tracking post-approval adverse effects, how can it ever be established whether large-scale and long-term consumption of sucralose is safe?



Technical Information



Sucralose is made from sucrose by substituting three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups to yield 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-BETA-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside. This is accomplished in a five-step process.



Prolonged storage, particularly at high temperatures and low pH, causes the sucralose to break down into 4-chloro-4-deoxy-galactose (4CG) and 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxyfructose (1,6 DCF),



The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry number (CAS Reg. No.) for sucralose is 56038-13-2.



Science Behind Sucralose Toxicity



Here are some of the specific biochemical reasons why you will want to give serious consideration to consuming sucralose.



Much of the concern is related to the fact that the manufacturer of sucralose claims that it is derived from sugar that contains the monosaccharide sucrose.



Look at the chemical name of sucralose: 1,6-Dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside. One would have expected that a product "made form sugar" as they say on the box, would be called: 1,6-Dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside.



Why does this molecule contain a chlorinated galactose moiety rather than a chlorinated glucose moiety if it is made from sucrose? When the molecule is hydrolyzed, chlorinated monosaccharides are produced from the product. Could it be that sucrose is not used due to the toxicity of chlorinated glucose?



Should Sucralose be Avoided?



The Holistic Medicine Web Page cites the following reasons to avoid sucralose:






Pre-approval tests indicated potential toxicity of sucralose.


There are no *independent* controlled human studies on sucralose (similar to 15 years ago for aspartame).



There are no long-term (12-24 months) human studies of sucralose's effects.


There is no monitoring of health effects. It took government agencies decades to agree that there were countless thousands of deaths from tobacco. Why? Simply because there had been no monitoring or epidemiological studies. Without such monitoring and studies, huge effects can easily go unnoticed.





Do Products with Sucralose Carry Any Warning Labels Or Information Statements?




No. The regulatory agencies and scientific review bodies that have endorsed the safety of sucralose have not required any warning information to be placed on the labels of products sweetened with sucralose.



Conclusions



The Sucralose Toxicity Information Center concludes that:





While it is unlikely that sucralose is as toxic as the poisoning people are experiencing from Monsanato's aspartame, it is clear from the hazards seen in pre-approval research and from its chemical structure that years or decades of use may contribute to serious chronic immunological or neurological disorders.



The Consumer's Research Magazine concludes that:


As Americans continue to choose ever-increasing amounts of such foods and beverages, sweeteners may soar to higher consumption levels. The long-range health effects from such escalation need careful evaluation. Do additional approved sweetening agents truly contribute to good health? Do they really meet special dietary needs? Or, do they merely further encourage poor dietary choices?

[CraZy-T!]

These are just a couple of studies based on rats vs. dozen of studies done (including ones done on real live HUMANS) that demonstrate safety.

Like someone said here earlier, "Pump a rat full of enough of anything and you'll kill it!"

/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Kitosho]

Still, precautions and moderation should ALWAYS be taken with this sort of thing.

[psaturn]

Yeah...did you know that there is a severe side effect to excess of imbibing water ? The side effect is death.

Apparently there was an athlete that drank so much water that the blood thinned due to excess water. Then the brain got edematous due to osmosis..the person died.

[ryancostill]

^^^ I have heard of this death due to water but I think theres a little bit more to it than that. This (death or severe illness) can occur after a long time exercising in the heat. After this point the athlete is severely dehydrated due to so much sweating and in a state of negative electrolyte balance (loss of body salts etc.). drinking just water will increase plasma volume (rehydrating) - a good thing but further reduce the concentration of electrolytes - in effect making the athlete worse of than he/she was before. This is why after prolonged exercise in the heat it is so important to rehydrate with water and electrolyte solutions.