Bubble Trouble

Probably somewhere among your family or friends' families is a youngster who drinks inordinate quantities of carbonated beverages. I know at least one case. I'd figured the corn syrup to be fairly harmful, also coloring agents and artificial flavors. But now there's a new warning about sodium benzoate, a common preservative in many brands (also used in other sorts of products). A UK scientist has found that the stuff can shut down critical parts of DNA, which in theory could be linked to a wide range of diseases including neuro-degenerative problems such as Parkinson's and the more general problem of ageing. The scientist is also quoted saying that U.S. FDA tests "were inadequate." So do exercise caution and check the labels when purchasing your soda pop!