Don’t drink it: cans of soda can be more dangerous than soda

Soft drinks are not considered the most useful. They are usually high in calories, the sugar and acid they contain destroy teeth, and in addition, drinkers often have problems with the stomach and digestive system in general. Scientists urge to ditch sugary sodas, even those that contain a substitute instead of sugar, and switch to clean water, tea and other less harmful beverages.

But it turns out that the aluminum can in which this soda is sold is not so simple. Scientists say drinking soda straight from an aluminum can isn’t the best idea. We have collected their arguments and explained why it is worth switching to another packaging or at least not drinking directly from the can, but pouring the drink into a glass before drinking it.

During one of the experiments conducted in 2017, it turned out that on the surface of soda cans that we buy in stores there are many bacteria, including those that are potentially dangerous to health. Here, for example, E. coli on the tops of the cans, right where the drinking hole is, was found in excess. This microorganism can cause diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.

Moreover, during another experiment, it turned out that on the surface of cans – both on the shelves and sold in vending machines – in addition to E. coli, they found Enterobacter cloacae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas luteola, which also belong to conditionally pathogenic microorganisms and can become the cause of serious diseases.

One of the popular horror stories is related to the story of an American woman who drank soda from a can, contracted leptospirosis and died soon after. It was reported that the infection was due to the jar containing traces of rat urine, and the rodent itself being a carrier of leptospirosis. Despite the fact that it is really possible to get infected from rodents, a fatal case has not been confirmed.

In general, the idea of ​​wiping the tops of cans before drinking, or using a straw, isn’t such a bad idea.

This chemical compound is found in many plastic items, including clear water bottles. However, it is often used in the manufacture of aluminum cans – it is part of epoxy seals, which are also part of packaging and are used to protect products from contamination.

Scientists have found that bisphenol A can “leak” from the pad’s composition and into the drink. The use of such drinks causes an increase in pressure. In a study conducted by Korean scientists, participants in the experiment drank the same drink from glass bottles and aluminum cans for several days.

Two things soon became clear. First, BPA levels in the urine of those who drank cans increased by 1600%. Second, the systolic pressure increased by 4.5 points. If such an increase has practically no effect on healthy people, then for people with problems with the heart and blood vessels, such a jump can be a serious test that will lead to an aggravation of the condition.

Manufacturers are interested in making safer cans, ones that don’t contain BPA, so safer packaging is on the rise.

But claims that aluminum itself can be dangerous to health, it seems, have not received scientific confirmation. The information that aluminum from cans can get into the drink they contain, and then cause cancer and neurological damage, has always turned out to be a horror story, not the truth.

However, scientists have no reason to believe that aluminum in significant quantities can get into soda and then into the body. It is assumed that in this way no more than 1% of aluminum can enter the body, and 99.9% of it will be eliminated by the kidneys. This meager amount of aluminum will obviously cause no noticeable harm to the body. Remember the well-known cling film, which is actively used for cooking – it is also made of aluminum, and its use for culinary purposes is considered safe.

In general, to sum up, drinking from aluminum cans is really not worth it. Especially careful you need to be those who have a weakened immune system and those who suffer from heart problems.

The general recommendation for everyone is to pour the drink into a glass, and if this is not possible, use a straw or carefully wipe the top of the can, which is literally full of microorganisms, among which there can be have dangerous ones. By the way, we are ready to say that you have not even thought about which element of your house is the dirtiest. We wrote an entire article about it and we are sure it will surprise you. Another helpful tip is to stop going to the bathroom with your phone. This promises a whole mountain of trouble, among which infectious diseases are far from the last.