Traces of Benzene Found in Soft Drinks

Benzene. You’ve probably never heard of it – unless, of course, you’re a scientist. In more common terms, it is an industrial chemical found in tobacco smoke, car exhaust, and vapors from household products such as paint, detergents and furniture wax. Like many ingredients found in these products, long-term exposure can mean serious health risks. In particular, it’s been linked to leukemia and other forms of cancer. Not exactly something you’d want to intentionally ingest, right?

Well, if you’re one of the millions of people who drink soda on a regular basis, you might want to think twice before buying your weekly 24-pack. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that the chemical has been found in certain soft drinks at levels two to four times higher than what is considered safe for drinking water.

It’s not the first time benzene has been found in soda; traces of the chemical were found 16 years ago, in products made by Cadbury Schwepps and Koala Springs. The FDA never told the public about this discovery because it thought the problem would be solved, as well as the fact that the amount was so insignificant. Little did they suspect that the carcinogen would turn up again, a decade and a half later.

Benzene forms in soft drinks as a result of the combination of two common ingredients: ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, preservatives used to prevent bacterial growth. It takes a catalyst, like temperature or light, to trigger the actual formation, so not every soft drink that contains these components will produce the carcinogen.

Despite the lab results, the FDA and industry members such as the American Beverage Association (ABA) say there is no need to panic: people ingest more benzene by breathing than they would if they drank a can of soda containing the chemical. Besides our air, traces of benzene can be found in certain fruits and vegetables.

The occurrences are also not believed to be widespread.

“People shouldn’t overreact,” said Kevin Keane, a member of the ABA. “It’s a very small number of products and not major brands.”

So if it’s nothing to worry about, why the alarm?

The FDA has tested over 60 varieties of sodas, sports drinks and bottled waters so far. In these samples, benzene levels have ranged from two and three parts per billion to more than 10 to 20 parts per billion. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standard for benzene in normal drinking water is five parts per billion. If that number increases, officials are required by law to notify the public.

Does this mean I should skip my daily Diet Coke? Not at all. Like countless other foods, soft drinks should be enjoyed in moderation in combination with a healthy diet.

-- Ruthy Effler

Babysteps to Health

Slow and steady wins the race. When you slowly take off the pounds and stick to an exercise program, you are more likely to keep those pounds from coming back. Look at every pound lost as a small victory in the road to health.
Don't set yourself up for failure; set goals that are attainable. Lofty goals are hard to meet and only leave you frustrated.
Make it easier on yourself--use half the cream and sugar in your coffee. Make small changes that add up to a big defecit but don't leave you feeling like your giving up everything you love.
Reward your success--the right way. We'd all like to celebrate that 5 pound milestone with a hunk of chocolate cake, but consider treating yourself in a different way. Why take five steps forward and then two back?
Keep it interesting. Variety is the spice of life; try new things and new foods. If you eat yourself into boredom, you won't be able to stick to a diet or workout routine.
Small changes for big results. Love eggs? Ditch the yolks. Chicken? Lose the skin and try baking or grilling instead of frying. It all adds up over time.
Keep track of activity. Keeping a log or journal of your workouts not only keeps you honest, it allows you to take a look back and see just how far you've come.
If you must eat sweets, eat dark chocolate because it has many health benefits
Stay away from the scale. When your clothes get looser and your measuments shrink should be proof enough that you are on the right track. Numbers on a scale are just overrated.

When is a Fad Diet a Bad Diet?

Time for a reality check: there is no magic bullet, instant cure, or easy way out. Losing weight is not easy, and many fad diets fall easily into the bad diet category. Be wary of any diet or weight-loss program that:

Promises rapid weight loss. Any weight loss of more than 2 pounds per week is too rapid, unsafe, and is unlikely to stay off.
Promises easy weight loss without exercise or that weight loss can be maintained without lifestyle changes.
Uses miracle or magical foods. No food can melt away fat or undo years of overeating and lack of exercise.
It's basis lies in consuming only one (or a limited number) of foods, encourages consuming certain foods in mass quantities, or calls for specific food combinations.
Relies on undocumented case histories. Testimonials and anecdotes mean nothing if there is no scientific data to back up claims.
Promotes unproven or inauthentic weightloss aids such as herbs, supplements, body wraps, pills, cellulite creams, etc.
Sound too good to be true. Most of the time it's because they are.

Splurge vs. Smart: Dining Out Without Breaking Your Diet

High-calorie, fat-laden, large portioned restaurant meals don't have to be a diet breaker. With some careful reading, you too can enjoy a night out without the guilt of a caloric splurge.

When dining American, be wary of words like buttery, fried, pan-fried, crispy, au gratin, creamed, sauteed, and hollandaise. Look for items that are described as steamed, broiled, grilled, roasted and poached to help cut back on calories and fat.

In the mood for a little Italiano? Sauces created from cream or cheese, such as Alfredo sauce, quickly pack in the fat. Go for sauces that are tomato based, and take half home with you--almost all pasta dishes weigh it at well over a serving or two.

Craving some late-night Chinese? Stay clear of batter-coated, breaded, or deep-fried foods and go for the stir-fry. Plain rice is better than fried, and go easy on the sauces; soy sauce and other Asian sauces tend to have high sodium content.